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India gave Miss Perkins a delighted smile. “I’m quite sure you are.”
“And I’ll want every other Thursday off,” Miss Perkins continued.
“Only everyotherThursday?” asked India.
“That’s enough, India,” said Edgar warningly.
“Oh, don’t be such a bear.” She turned to Miss Perkins. “He does bluster and growl but he’s quite harmless, really.”
Miss Perkins nodded crisply. “Then it’s all settled. I’ll begin my post immediately.”
“Nothing is settled, Perkins.” Edgar handed her back her boot.
Somehow, the situation had run away from him. They were already in league, India and Miss Perkins. Conspiring to overthrow his dominion over his own household.
Miss Perkins laced up the boot halfway and tied a knot in the shortened string. “I’ll just go and fetch the children home, then.” She rose from her chair and headed for the door.
“Don’t move another inch, Perkins,” Edgar commanded. “I haven’t given you permission to leave.”
She tossed him a sunny smile. “Splendid. Then you agree to keep me on as governess? I shan’t disappoint you.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Then I may go and fetch the children?”
He eyed her warily.
India laughed. “I like youMari-rhymes-with-starry. I think you’re precisely what this household requires.”
The starry-eyed Miss Perkins was precisely what he didnotrequire—a small, yet dangerous, bundle of crackling energy ready to burn through what little remained of his sanity.
He was about to tell her as much when the door swung open and Mrs. Fairfield’s kindly face appeared. “Pardon, Your Grace, but the twins have returned and ’tis a constable who escorted them home.”
He tensed. “They’re not in trouble, are they? Not injured in some way?” He’d have Miss Dunkirk’s hide if any mishap had befallen them. They’d always returned none the worse for wear after their little excursions in nearby Hyde Park.
“Not a bit,” said Mrs. Fairfield. “Though I do believe the constable might have sustained a minor injury. Something to do with a sling and a stone.”
“That sounds about right.” India laughed.
“I’d better go and smooth things over.” Edgar started for the door.
“Don’t move another inch, Your Grace,” commanded Miss Perkins. “Leave everything to me.”
And she spun on her heel and marched for the door.
Chapter 3
“Did that female just order me to stay?” Edgar asked incredulously.
“Like a foxhound in training.” India’s throaty chuckle reminded him of the dowager duchess, though he hadn’t heard his mother’s voice in many years.
“Flame-haired, glib-tongued, peace-destroying baggage.”
India’s grin widened. “So you noticed the color of her hair?”
“One could hardly fail to notice such a hue.” He’d noticed more than her vibrant red locks. He’d been all too aware of hereverything.
The intelligent spark in her eyes.
