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Patrick waited for the familiar swell of satisfaction to rise up in his chest but much to his surprise, it did not appear. Lady Gower looked at him curiously and it took Patrick a moment to respond.
“Yes, yes, I am glad you found it pleasant.” He saw the quick exchange of looks between Lady Gower and her daughter and became quickly aware of how poorly he had managed to respond to her remark. “I do hope you will enjoy your time here. I have one further guest soon to arrive – one Lord Kingston.”
“Oh!” Miss Miller’s eyes flared. “I have heard of him, although I am not acquainted. Is he not the Earl of Kingston?”
“The very same.”
Lady Gower sniffed and lifted her chin.
“I have heard that he has recently lost the affection of one Lady Albina,” she told them both, although Patrick found himself listening with far more interest than he had expected. “I was certain that they would soon be betrothed but nothing has been announced and, indeed, I have seen Lord Kingston in London many times of late but she has never been in his company.”
Patrick gave her a small smile whilst inwardly frustrated on Lord Kingston’s behalf. There was a reason that Lady Gower had not seen Lady Albina in Lord Kingston’s company but, of course, that reason could not easily be explained.
“I have heard that Lord Kingston is not the very best of gentlemen.”
“That is enough,” Lady Gower put in, silencing her daughter immediately. Miss Miller dropped her head but not before Patrick saw the red flush in her cheeks. He did not dismiss her comment, however, but pushed it to the back of his mind.
“I do not know Lord Kingston particularly well, but I thought there was no reason not to have him join us,” he told them both, as Lady Gower nodded. “I am certain we shall all have the very best of parties and that you will find the company to be quite exceptional.”
Excusing himself, he rose from his chair and went to speak to another guest whilst still quietly thinking about what Miss Miller had said of Lord Kingston before her mother had silenced her on the subject. After all, given that he was not well acquainted with the gentleman, it was wise to consider what others thought of him. It would determine whether or not he would want to continue with such an acquaintance.
Joining a conversation with Lady Foster, Lord Hogarth, and one of Lady Foster’s elegant daughters, Patrick enquired after everyone’s health, welcomed them to his home, and found himself wondering why he did not feel as proud of his current situation as he usually did. This was usually the time in his house party where he felt the greatest satisfaction when his guests were wandering around his manor house and exclaiming over the various aspects of his grand abode. Now, however, he found that his mind was somewhat distracted.
But it was not thoughts of Lord Kingston which clouded his mind. It was not the house party and his guests. It was not even his brother who pulled at his thoughts. Instead, it was none other than Miss Trean who lingered there.
Why am I thinking about the governess when I ought to be considering nothing other than my guests?
Patrick turned to pour himself another brandy and then offered one to Lord Hogarth, allowing the group’s conversation to flow around him. The time he had shared with Miss Trean had not left him. It had been somewhat significant, given that he had never spoken of his brother, nor the feelings which pulled at his heart, to anyone.
But Miss Trean’s eyes had been so gentle and her presence so much of a comfort that it felt as though he had been compelled into speech. He had not been embarrassed to speak in such a way, had not found himself ashamed of expressing the truth of his feelings to her. And the way that she had given him a way forward had astonished him. She had seen into the situation in a way that he had never been able to do and had made the suggestion of writing to his brother’s man of business so that any debts might soon be made known. In three months of his brother’s absence, Patrick had never thought of such a thing himself and yet Miss Trean, with only a few minutes of consideration, had found a way to help him.
She was most unusual.
“I did hear that you had a small boy running wild through your house, Lord Addenbrook.”
Pulled back from his thoughts, Patrick forced a smile to his face as Lady Violet looked at him with one gently lifted eyebrow.
“Indeed, Lady Violet. You have heard correctly, but you need not concern yourself that such a creature will disturb our endeavor here for these few days.” He did not give any explanation to the young lady but quickly turned the conversation to something else. “Now do tell me of London, Lady Violet. How is it that you have not yet found a suitor? I am certain that all the gentlemen of London must be jostling for even a minute of your attention.”
The flattery worked for both mother and daughter and soon Lady Violet and Lady Foster were both talking of London and all the very pleasant company that they had each enjoyed there. Patrick flicked a grin towards Lord Hogarth who was watching Lady Violet intently. His friend quickly returned it and soon drew himself into direct conversation with Lady Violet, allowing Patrick to excuse himself.
He did not linger with his guests but, claiming that he had to make certain that all was well and suitably prepared for them, he went from the drawing-room and out into the long hallway, making his way past the front door of the house – just as it opened.
Caught by surprise, he stopped dead.
“Miss Trean!” A small flare of annoyance brought his brows low over his eyes. “Did I not make myself quite plain? Henry is not to be –” He stopped, his attention caught by Henry who leaned against Miss Trean, his arms around her skirts. He did not look up at Patrick but kept his head bent, making Patrick’s frustration change quickly into guilt, stabbing hard through his heart. He did not want the child to be afraid of him, but it was not as though he had made any effort to encourage the boy. Clearing his throat, he tried to speak again with a little more calmness in his voice. “Do excuse me for interrupting you both. Henry, did you enjoy your walk out of doors?”
His nephew lifted his head briefly, his eyes wide as he looked back at Patrick. Miss Trean patted the top of his head gently and Henry eventually nodded.
“That is good.” Patrick smiled, finding himself relieved when Henry lifted his head a little more and eventually began to step a little bit away from Miss Trean. “I am sorry I spoke crossly. That was not good, and I shall not do it again. Will that please you?” Henry blinked, nodded and then finally, smiled. “Good, then I shall endeavor to be just as happy and as friendly as you.”
Miss Trean touched the boy’s shoulder.
“Here, Henry, go with Jean.” Miss Trean ushered him towards a maid that Patrick had not even noticed step into the hallway and then untied her bonnet ribbons, removing it and holding it in her hand. “I shall come up to the nursery in a few moments.”
Patrick watched the small boy take the maid’s hand and walk away with her, his head turning so that he might glance back at Miss Trean. Taking a deep breath and making sure to speak without any hint of anger, he took a step closer to the governess.
“As I was saying, Miss Trean, I was certain that I made myself quite clear.”
