Gabriel lowered his glass and frowned. “What does that mean?”
His aunt waved a dismissive hand. “It means this is a very large problem indeed.” Her gaze shifted toward Valerie and David before she lowered her voice. “One that I refuse to discuss in front of young ears.”
David immediately abandoned all interest in the cat and looked up. “What problem?”
“Nothing at all, my dear boy,” Lady Provie said sweetly, bending to pinch his cheek. “Now shall we eat, or do you intend to starve an old woman in this house?”
Amelia glanced toward Gabriel in confusion. He met her gaze briefly, then rubbed a hand across his jaw with the weary expression of a man who had spent decades surviving his aunt.
“I believe we are ready for dinner,” he said dryly, looking toward the servants.
The dining room gleamed beneath candlelight a few minutes later. Amelia found herself seated directly opposite Lady Provie, which she strongly suspected was no accident. Silver dishes reflected warm golden light across the polished mahogany table while servants moved silently between the guests. The first course consisted of a delicate vegetable soup accompanied by fresh bread and butter, though Amelia doubted she would manage more than a few spoonfuls under such relentless scrutiny.
Lady Provie wasted no time. “Tell me, Miss Shirley,” she said, lifting her spoon gracefully, “how long have you been teaching?”
Amelia nearly choked. Setting down her spoon, she blinked across the table. “Teaching?”
“Yes, teaching,” Lady Provie replied. “That is what governesses do, is it not?”
Gabriel slowly lowered his own spoon and fixed his attention upon his aunt.
“I have not worked formally as a governess before arriving here,” Amelia admitted.
Lady Provie’s eyebrows shot upward. “You have no experience?”
“Not professionally, but I myself was taught by—” Amelia replied with a faint smile but was cut short.
“My word,” Lady Provie groaned.
“The children appear to be thriving,” Gabriel observed calmly.
Lady Provie ignored him completely. The second course arrived shortly thereafter, featuring roasted chicken, herb potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Amelia attempted to focus on her meal, but Lady Provie’s attention remained fixed upon her with all the determination of a hunting hawk.
“And your family?” Lady Provie asked.
Amelia reached for her water glass. “My family is well.”
“I am aware of that,” Lady Provie replied. “The gossip made that quite clear.”
Amelia nearly dropped her glass. Beside her, Valerie lowered her head suspiciously quickly while Gabriel’s expression darkened.
“Aunt,” he warned.
“What?” Lady Provie asked innocently, helping herself to potatoes. “Surely we may discuss current events.”
Amelia wished the floor would open beneath her chair.
Gossip? What had been said about her? Her family? What did Lady Provie know?
The questioning continued throughout the meal as Amelia felt tied in knots. By the time the venison course arrived, Lady Provie had inquired about Amelia’s education, her sisters, her previous engagements, and her future plans.
Amelia answered each question as politely and vaguely as possible while privately deciding that imprisonment might actually be less exhausting than returning to her family home or staying at Anderton.
“Why exactly did you come to Anderton Manor?” Lady Provie asked at last.
Amelia carefully set down her fork. “I accepted employment.”
“Why?”
