Page 57 of Love and Other Disasters

“A little,” she admitted. “I was so frightened when I couldn’t find you. I looked everywhere.”

“I wanted to take you with us,” Liam complained, glancing up at her.

“I appreciate that.”

He shrugged. “I don’t want to make another friend like Thomas does. I just want you.”

Sophie leaned down to hug the child, overcome with emotion at his remark, but a little sad over what he said about Thomas. She had tried so hard to win him over, but she wasn’t enough, apparently. She ushered Liam back to the nursery.

Once he was settled and Isabelle was playing with some toys, she turned to the window to look outside again. The view had not changed, and that worried her. How far could the boy have gone? She’d no real idea when the boys had left the nursery, but he could be anywhere. Liam did not seem to know when she asked him about that. She watched over Liam, but it was clear his older brother’s disappearance was seemingly forgotten already. Sophie took a deep breath, striving for calm and then settled at the windows to watch for the return of her charge.

Thankfully, she spotted Jasper and Thomas returning within a few minutes. She put her hand on the glass, peering down at the pair, utterly relieved to see the boy obviously whole and sound still.

Lord Jasper stopped, leaning down to speak with Thomas, and then the boy looked up at the nursery window. Even from this distance, she could detect a sullen mood lay over the child. He was likely angry with her for telling his uncle about his disappearance.

Lord Jasper might have shouted at him or possibly even punished him.

Either way, it was up to her to smooth his way back into their normal routine as soon as possible. She hurried to the door, standing there waiting for Thomas’ return. It seemed to take much longer than it should have, and her relief and welcome were in proportion to the fright she had suffered that morning.

Thomas, however, was not as pleased to see her. He rudely brushed by her, went directly to his bed, and threw himself face down on it. She was a little hurt that he didn’t seem to care about her feelings or that she’d been anxious about his whereabouts.

Lord Jasper appeared and smiled ruefully. “Let him sulk if he wants to.”

“What did you do to him?”

Jasper shrugged. “Nothing, but I said enough so that he will never do that to you again.”

Sophie bit her lip and then nodded. “Was he where you thought he’d be?”

“Indeed, he was, more’s the pity.” He drew closer and lowered his voice. “I don’t mean to tell you what to do with him. I know I’m not your employer or the child’s father, but I think I might have said enough for both of us this morning. Let the matter of him running off be forgotten. He knows what will happen if he does it again.”

“What will happen?”

“He’ll be sent off to school early, separated from everyone. That was the punishment my father used with us. Thomas did not like the sound of that at all.”

Sophie impulsively put her hand on Jasper’s arm. “That is a cruel thing to do to a child.”

“So was what he put you through this morning,” Jasper whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “He doesn’t need to know it might not happen. But the threat is a good one. It always worked on me. I’ll be keeping a closer eye on him from now on, too.”

He turned away, but Sophie rushed after him. “Jasper.”

He stopped and turned back. “Yes?”

“It would be best if I concerned myself only with the children from now on.” She hoped that would be enough to explain why she’d never be alone with him again.

Jasper frowned and drew closer. “You’ve never not put them first.”

“I failed them this morning. That cannot happen again, my lord. I hope you understand. I’m only here for them. Not myself or even you.”

Jasper seemed to reel back from her words.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t have the luxury of breaking all the rules the way you can.”

“I broke my own for you…but so be it,” he said in a tone so curt, she realized he was upset by her decision to end their affair. Disappointed and maybe even a little hurt.

“I’m just a governess.”

“No, Sophie, you’re much more than that to me,” he promised. “But have it your way. I’ll not bother you again.”