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The air stilled. The room held its breath. Hanna’s fingertips tingled.
Vivian smiled wider still. “Vivian, please. You must call me Vivian. May I call you Hanna?”
“I’d love it if you did.”
“Hanna, then. Please. Come and sit. No one tells you that when you get older, your knees turn into dirty traitors about holding you upright.” Chuckling at herself, Vivian settled back down into the wheelchair behind her. “Gregory, will you be a dear and scoot me over to the couch? I’m old and that means I’m allowed to be lazy about wheeling myself into place.”
“Of course, Gran,” Gregory said, and exchanged an amused look with a delighted Hanna.
Hanna stepped over to settle on the nearby couch as Gregory pushed his grandmother the few feet between them. “Your home is beautiful, Vivian. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Isn’t it just? My dear Gregory bought this for me. He remembered all the stories I used to tell him when he was a boy. Great houses like this, rose gardens, tea served in the sitting room…” Vivian settled back into her chair and lifted a hand so she could pat Gregory’s fingers fondly. “It was a silly old daydream of mine. I thought I might travel one day. Spend a week in one, call it the vacation of a lifetime. Gregory went one better.”
“He’s very thoughtful.”
“He is. He’s a terrible troublemaker, you must realize, but he’s also a very good man.” Vivian’s eyes sparkled. “Did you know he’s single?”
“Now who’s the terrible troublemaker?” Gregory cut in, the back of his neck as red as a cardinal.
“I’ve been a terrible troublemaker since before you were born, Greg my boy. You learned everything you know about it from me.” She turned her attention back to Hanna. “I taught him everythingheknows, but not everythingIknow.”
Hanna giggled, blush burning her cheeks. “You’re the menace I could only aspire to be.”
“I’ll teach you, dear.” Vivian leaned forward to reach for Hanna’s hand.
Hanna put her hand obediently into Vivian’s so she didn’t have to strain. “I’d be honored.”
“Good. I like you, I think. We just have to see how our little boy likes you.”
Here’s where it starts, then.“You mean the child I’ll be minding?”
“Yes. A dear little boy. He gets nervous when he’s left alone, you see.” Vivian’s brow furrowed, snowy brows drawing together in concern. “And when he gets nervous, I’m afraid he gets himself into trouble. I can’t always be with him. My room isn’t near his, and I can’t move myself there. It wouldn’t be good for either of us. He’s indicated he would feel better with a governess.”
Hanna kept her eyes on Vivian, despite the temptation to look at Gregory.He’s nothing to do with this. This is for Vivian. She deserves to feel like I’m taking her seriously.“It sounds like he needs some company and reassurance. I can do that. I’d be sleeping in his room with him?”
“Yes. You’ll see to his comforts, sleep in his room, and oversee his education. You’d have days off, of course. I can certainly manage to look after him so you have time to yourself.” She looked pointedly at Gregory. “That way, my grandson can take you out to a nice lunch. Maybe a walk in the garden.”
“Gran…”
“Don’t listen to him. He’s hopeless.” Vivian smirked playfully at Hanna. “Does all that sound all right with you, dear? I know he must have offered you fair pay.”
“He did. And it sounds just fine. Shall we give it a try?” Hanna squeezed Vivian’s hand.
“I think we should. I’ll take you to meet the little one. Gregory, you don’t have to hover. Let me show Hanna to her room.” Vivian reached behind her to pat her grandson’s hand again. “You go fill out the paperwork to give this nice young woman a job. If she and Stuart get along, she’ll sign it before supper.”
Gregory stepped around the chair to kneel in front of his grandmother. “Are you sure, Gran? You’re not too tired?”
“I am more awake and alive than I ever have been, son,” Vivian said, as she tenderly laid her hand against his cheek. “And it’s thanks to you. Let me have this piece of my dream. The lady of the house, showing the governess to her room. Hanna can push me there. She’s a strong young lady.”
“All right.” He brushed his fingertips over the back of his grandmother’s hand, then stood up. “You heard the lady, Hanna. Time to show the governess to her room. That all right?”
“It’s just fine.” Hanna stood up. “I’m very glad to go with her and see my room. I’ll bet it’s beautiful.”
“All of them are. I’ll be in my office, if you need anything.” One last smile for them both before he left them alone.
His footsteps receded down the hall. Once they’d faded out of hearing, Vivian looked up. “Your room is in the next wing over. I’ll tell you a few things as we go. Would you mind pushing me?”
“Of course not.” Hanna positioned herself behind the wheelchair, hands on the handles. “Ready?”
