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Seth arched the other eyebrow. “So…”
“I adore her.”
He exhaled in a gush.
Having introduced his daughter in their practice room this morning, he’d left the two females to become better acquainted, for Chloe to show the new governess her quarters and for a tentative rapport to build.
Chloe had inherited her mother’s open nature and gained his own patience to boot. Not one for tantrums, her only flaw to his biased eye was a laxity for following rules and a too-honest mouth.
“Miss Griffin also, for some reason…” A beady green eye fixed upon him. “Believes you a sapsculled pudding-head. She never actually said that, of course… It was just an impression I got. Lack of books or something.”
“I’m hardly a brainbox, Chloe.”
“Hmm.” The beady eye narrowed to that of a blade of grass.
“Anyhow, it matters not, petal. Miss Griffin will be able to teach you subjects that the vicar’s wife and I, as your father, cannot.”
“Like?”
“Fork placements and how to back out of a room when wearing a train.”
Chloe squished up her face, loose blond hair falling over her eyes. “Do I have to?”
“Yes. You need to learn feminine accomplishments alongside the boxing, thus gaining an all-round knowledge. It’s either Miss Griffin or…school.”
Mulish lips pursed. For all her adult ways, she now scowled like a child of five years.
This was his chance to raise the most difficult of subjects, whilst she was…quiet.
“Chloe…” He sat on the bed next to her, faffed with the coverlet and hauled a deep breath. “You are thirteen now.”
“Fourteen in November.”
How could he forget. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Hmm?”
“You must have noticed… Well, men…”
“Hmm?” Her eyes had widened and he was aware the nobility would stay silent on such matters, letting their lambs blunder amongst wolves, but he believed his daughter should be armed with all knowledge in order to negotiate life.
Not that it made this any easier.
“Well, you…” Gads, he was pathetic. “You see, pet…”
A gentle hand touched his shoulder. “I know, Pa.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Betty told me.”
“She did?”
“Yes, when I turned thirteen.”
“Oh, right then.” Well, that was a waste of all the recitation and pacing in the basement. Not that he was complaining in any way whatsoever. In fact, as inestimable relief poured through him, he thought to raise Betty’s wages. “Although, I also…there’s a further matter.” This wasn’t going to be easy either.
“And now you’re going to tell me I can no longer practise boxing in the main academy hall.”
