Page 25 of What Lies Beneath

Pip swung around, startled but recognising the smug words for the taunt they were.

“I cannot think why,” he replied, deadpan, his heart lifting as he realised she was ready to spar with him once more. “For I excel at all things.”

“Yes, but when most noblemen cannot even dress themselves, it is shocking to see a man of your lofty stature do something so very mundane as draw the curtains in the nursery with his own fair hands. Bravo, my lord.”

Pip stared at Mrs Harris and wondered if she had alarmed herself with her own mockery, for she looked at once defiant and shocked. For a moment he did not know what to say in response, and then he felt the corners of his lips curve upwards, and he gave a bark of laughter.

“Wretch!” he said, genuinely amused. “I felt certain you were not the slightest bit under the weather and were only avoiding me, and now I am certain of it.”

She immediately paled, the colour draining from her face, and Pip held out a hand.

“No, I beg you, don’t look so appalled. I do not care if that’s true. Well, I do care,” he amended wryly. “But only because it stings my vanity that you did not wish to eat with me.”

“It’s… It’s not that I did not wish to,” she began, but Pip held up a hand to stop her.

“Wait. Before you speak another word, there is something I wish to say, if you will indulge me for a moment.”

She looked increasingly alarmed by this prospect, so he ploughed on, getting the words out quickly, if not elegantly. “I realise now that when you came to work for me, you did so fearing that I was not a gentleman. With hindsight, I believe you were afraid of me and the situation your need to work put you in. I wish to say that I am sorry for that. Not only because that is a fact of life which I can do nothing about, but that you spent any time under my roof fearing for your safety. I hope you appreciate now that I am not such a villain, and would like you know I hold you in the highest esteem and would never wish to offend you. Certainly, I would never wish to do you harm. You are a wonderful influence on Tilly and, I think, on myself too. I value your opinion, Mrs Harris, and whilst I would hope not to suffer too many more of your set downs, I do not wish for you to feel you must guard your tongue around me. I promise you, it is unnecessary.”

Pip took a breath, rather shocked by the words which had tumbled out of him with very little thought. He felt slightly embarrassed to have spoken so, though the sentiments were genuine. His discomfort grew as he discovered Mrs Harris staring at him with astonishment. She simply gazed at him in silence, and for such a long time that he wondered what on earth he’d done. Did she think it was a trick?

“Thank you.”

Her words were simple but heartfelt and Pip relaxed as he realised she meant them.

“I am only sorry it has taken me so long to understand,” he said, smiling at her ruefully. “But you know what titled gentlemen are, too foolish to know how to pull on their own trousers if not for the help of a valet, let alone close the curtains.”

“Oh, dear,” she said, pressing her hands to her cheeks to cover the sudden flush of colour. “I ought not to have said that. I beg your pardon.”

“No,” Pip said crossly. “That is exactly what I mean. I do not wish you to beg my pardon. You have a lively mind and a quick wit and, if you want the truth, as much as I love living at Goshen Court, I sometimes feel starved of intelligent conversation.”

“You do?” she replied, one eyebrow quirked sceptically.

Pip snorted. “Well, I admit, in the past, if I needed a witty companion, I would visit my mistress. However, someone of impeccable morals has pointed out that I am setting a poor example of what a gentleman is to my only daughter, as well as stirring unwelcome gossip in a small community, so I have ceased doing so.” At least while I am in the country, he added silently, for he was not a monk and could not be expected to live like one all year round. “But if you wish me to continue living as a pattern card for the well-behaved modern man, you are going to have to help.”

“I am?” she said, looking startled by the prospect.

“Well, I’m not proposing you become my mistress, if that’s what has you looking so appalled,” he said sharply, as much for his own benefit as for hers, for the prospect was at once too tantalising and too horrifying to consider. “I only mean that I would appreciate it if you would show yourself at mealtimes and indulge me with some sensible conversation. Tilly is a delight, and her conversation is remarkable for her years, but she is still only eight years old.”

He saw Mrs Harris bite her lip and realised she was fighting back the desire to say something.

“Yes, yes, we ought then to be on an equal footing intellectually,” he said with a snort. “I do not wonder that you didn’t speak that one aloud, for it was far too easy.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said, the words choked as she struggled not to laugh. “I d-don’t know what has got into me.”

“Hmph,” Pip said, shaking his head at her sadly. “I cannot think what makes you say so. When you first came here, I believe you would have remarked it with all seriousness.”

The mirth faded from her eyes, and she became serious. “I would, and I’m sorry for that, but—but you are right. I was afraid, both of you and this position and… well, of many things. It has taken me a long time to feel at home here, but I do, and you have always been kind, even when I was so appallingly rude to you. I ought to thank you for that,” she added, somewhat grudgingly.

“I beg you will not,” Pip replied, appalled by the notion of Mrs Harris feeling indebted to him.

She grinned, and he let out a sigh of relief.

“Come and have a drink with me,” he said, heading for the door.

“Oh, but—” she began as he turned to look at her. She pulled a face and sighed. “It isn’t proper, my lord.”

“Do you care?” he asked curiously.