“I suppose so.”
“When you interviewed for the governess position, you mentioned you have a brother.”
“I am surprised you remembered. Yes, I have a brother.” My voice trailed off. I did not think Lord Camden would hunt down my only sibling and learn of my situation, but the fewer people who knew about me, the better off my reputation would be later.
“I am glad of it.” Lord Camden must have sensed the reluctance in my voice and did not pursue it further. He turned the page in my book and perused it. “I must say, this is interesting reading material.History of Animalsby Noah Webster,” he said, reading the title. “I didn’t even know we owned this book. It was probably Athena’s.”
I frowned. “Athena?”
“Has Augusta never spoken of her?”
“No.”
“I suppose she wouldn’t. Augusta was but six years old when Athena died and likely possesses only a handful of memories. It’s hard to believe it has been eleven years. Athena was barely fifteen.”
My heart ached for their loss. “I’m so sorry.”
“Athena loved animals and little Augusta wanted to be just like her,” Atlas chuckled, shaking his head. “I daresay, Augusta is far more passionate than Athena ever was. Athena would be glad the book was getting good use.”
“I hope so as well,” I said. “The text might be difficult for Augusta at first, but I thought the subject might spark her interest.”
He slowly closed the book and handed it to me, a smile slipping over his features. “I guessed as much. I can’t thank you enough for helping her. I had always thought she had chosen not to learn on purpose—as a form of defiance against Mother’s controlling nature—and not because she struggled to learn. That day in the library changed my view.” He pointed at my book. “I hope this can help her.”
I smiled. “It is worth trying.”
He nodded in agreement. “Your perseverance is admirable. Most people who have an afternoon off would not spend more time working.”
I set the book slowly on my lap, pleased by his unexpected gratitude. “Believe it or not, this is the sort of task that makes me happy.”
“I’m glad. What other sorts of activities do you enjoy?”
I had to check to see if he was teasing me again or if he was in earnest. He seemed to truly want to know. “I read a great deal—mostly the classics—and enjoy practicing my music. Or, I used to.”
“I have never heard you play an instrument before. Our pianoforte is available to you, should you desire to use it.”
“Thank you, but I am committed to use my time to profit Augusta.”
His brows rose. “I must stop teasing you about your work ethics. Besides, Augusta might benefit from your interests. Do you enjoy the theater? Picnics? Riding horses?”
“There was not a good theater house near us, but we did have a traveling troupe perform for us a time or two. If you recall, I did not travelmuch until I became a governess. I do enjoy picnics, but it has been since my mother was alive that I have been on one. As for horses—well, if you must know—they . . . they intimidate me. I prefer them in front of my carriage. Not everyone can be an animal whisperer like your sister.”
“Do these horses intimidate you the same way water does?”
“I . . . suppose.”
“And might I guess that it stems from your lack of experience with them?”
I squirmed in my seat. “In my defense, I was very busy mastering the pastimes and studies my mother deemed proper for a young lady. Anything not on her list was considered a frivolous pursuit.”
He chuckled, almost to himself. “Miss Lewis, I do believe you have issued me a challenge.”
I frowned, repeating everything I had said in my head. “I don’t believe I have.”
“And yet, you implied it.”
I stared at the gardens and then back at him. “What exactly did I imply?”
“That you need more diversion in your life.”
