Page 17 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)

Verina shook her head. “No, we must wait for an invitation,” she told her sister.

“You simply cannot drop in on someone out of the blue and expect them to welcome you with open arms. Besides, Lucy is making her come-out this Season. I remember what a pretty girl she was. Most likely, she will receive an offer of marriage, and Aunt Charlotte will be planning a wedding by summer’s end. ”

“I did not think about that,” Justina admitted. “And I did hear Val mention that Con spends most of his time in town. I suppose it would only be Dru at Marleyfield if we did go.”

Seeing Justina’s dejection, Eden said, “But you will both be making your come-outs in few years. You will see much of your cousins while you are in town. It will be a very special time in your life. You will make all kinds of friends and experience the whirl of the London Season. They say there is nothing quite like it in all the world.”

While Justina’s eyes lit with enthusiasm, Verina looked at her governess with concern.

“I am sorry you missed having your own come-out, Miss Snow. If you had, you would have received a dozen offers of marriages because you are so beautiful and kind. Why, we would never have come to know you.”

She swallowed. “Then I will say that I am the lucky one because I have spent these past five years with you girls. Yes, I have taught you as a governess should, but I must admit that I have grown terribly fond of both of you. You have become almost as younger sisters to me. I would not have wished to miss out on the opportunity getting to know the both of you.”

Tears filled Verina’s eyes. “I cannot imagine you not being a part of our family, Miss Snow. We have seen you every day for years.”

Thinking it was never too late to start preparing them about the future, Eden said, “Life changes, Verina. Your own will once you make your come-out. You will find a gentleman to wed, and you will become a part of his family. Justina will do the same.”

A fat teared rolled down Verina’s cheek. “I really never thought of it that way,” she admitted. “Yes, I knew the point of going to the Season was to find a husband, but that means I will go and live with him in his household.” She looked to her sister. “That means leaving you behind.”

Now Justina grew teary, as well. “I will come to see you, Verina,” she promised. Then she grinned. “Of course, you would have to invite me because I know not to show up uninvited for an extended visit.”

The three of them cackled like hens at Justina’s wit.

Eden closed the atlas and returned it to its stand, witnessing the two sisters embrace one another.

For a moment, a pang of envy hit her, having no siblings and no true family of her own.

She might look upon these girls as her relatives, but in reality, she was no more than a paid servant.

They would go on to wed and have children.

At the best, they might remember her fondly.

At worst, they might not even recall her name, much less mention Eden to one another as the years passed.

She moved toward them and said, “It is time for maths,” she proclaimed, hearing both of them groan.

“Must we do maths today?” Justina asked. “I would rather do anything but maths, Miss Snow. Could we please study something else?”

“We could work on our Latin translations,” Verina suggested hopefully. “We only did a small portion of them the other day at the inn.”

“All right,” she said, giving in. “But first thing tomorrow morning will be maths.”

Her charges beamed at her as Eden went and retrieved the translation they had worked on together.

For the next half-hour, she guided the girls in the translation of a passage describing the Punic Wars.

While she and the girls work on many lessons individually, she found they did a better job and were more engaged when they worked on some activities together.

Once the passage had been translated to her satisfaction, she said, “That will be all for today. Tomorrow we will do history and maths and then see if there is a place where we can continue our music lessons.”

Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner, she said, “You have half an hour to yourselves now before we head down to the stables for our ride.”

“I cannot wait to be on horseback,” Verina declared. “I almost wish I could have ridden the entire way from the Lake District to Kent, rather than be cooped up in a hot, stuffy carriage.”

Justina grinned impishly. “Your backside would have been so sore,” she teased. “But I agree. I am already dreading the long journey back to Traywick Manor.”

“That will not be for many weeks. Possibly even months,” Eden reminded the pair. “Besides, Lady Traywick might wish to break up the trip and have us stay at Lord Traywick’s townhouse in London for a few days.”

“Oh, that is a marvelous idea, Miss Snow,” Verina said. “When the time comes, please suggest doing so to Mama.”

“Go,” she prodded. “I will clean up here.”

After the girls left, Eden finished gathering what they had worked on and placed everything in her satchel. Instead of carting it back to her bedchamber, she set it in a corner of the room, thinking it would remain undisturbed.

Picking up both the Blake and Wordsworth books of poetry, she returned to her bedchamber.

She set them on the table next to the bed, recalling how the duke had asked her if she were a romantic because she read these poets.

She should have snapped back that governesses did not have the luxury of being romantics, but she was glad she had held her tongue.

She must continue to do so around him. She could not afford to be riled and lose her temper, even if he might be teasing.

Or flirting . . .

She supposed Millbrooke flirted as easily as he breathed.

That it was something intrinsic to him. Well, let him flirt with all those eligible ladies on the Marriage Mart.

Eden Snow would remain unavailable to him.

She could not afford to be dismissed from this post. While she did not wish to speak rudely to him ever again, Eden must certainly put him in his place if he tried to start up something unseemly with her.

For a moment, her mind flashed back to Lord Kessley and how he had ruined everything for her.

His daughters were so young. She could have spent a dozen or more years in his household before she needed to search for a new position.

Of course, with Lady Kessley adding her—instead of blaming her—Eden realized the poor viscountess had most likely had to put up with the infidelities of her husband for years.

She should count herself fortunate that she had not wed a ton gentleman who was so unfaithful.

Changing into her riding habit, she left her room and knocked on the girls’ door. Justina opened it, also wearing her habit.

“Are you ready to leave for the stables?” she asked.

They left their wing of the house and came across Lady Lia and Lady Tia.

The five traveled down the stairs to the ground floor, and Lady Tia led them through the kitchens, saying it would be much shorter to cut through them than go out the front door and all the way around the large house.

Eden walked several paces behind the four, listening to their conversations.

The four were all in high spirits and looking forward to their ride.

In truth, she was also ready to be atop a horse again.

Her father had helped create a love of animals within her, particularly where horses were concerned.

The stables came in sight, where the Duke of Millbrooke stood, his hands behind his back as he watched them approach.

As they grew closer, she realized his hair was a chestnut color.

It had seemed dark brown indoors, but in this afternoon’s bright sunshine, the red highlights gleamed brightly.

She thought it interesting that each of the three siblings had varying shades of red and thought the color must run in their family’s ancestry.

“Are you ready to meet my horses?” he asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Verina and Justina replied in unison, “Yes, Val.”

The duke swept out a hand, motioning for them to enter the stables.

All four girls passed him. When Eden started by him, the duke said to her, “I will be relying upon your good judgment, Miss Snow. You know the capabilities and skill level my cousins possess as riders, so you must help me determine which mounts are most suited for them.”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” she said, feeling her spine stiffen and her chin raise a notch. She caught what she did and tried to relax her posture a bit, not wanting him to know just how much he affected her.

He fell into step beside her. As they entered the barn, he said, “You said you are an excellent rider, Miss Snow. I cannot wait for you to meet the mount I have selected for you.”