Lady Midnight Read Online Free Page B

resignation. "I do not see what would be wrong with that. It would be very nice if you spent more time on the art of needlework, and other ladylike pursuits, and less time bringing dirty plants into the house."
    "Those dirty plants are rare botanical specimens!" Christina huffed indignantly.
    Sometimes these quarrels burned themselves out quickly without Michael's interference. But he saw this time he would have to step in, or these old arguments would go on all morning. "Mother, Christina, please." Michael took his sister's hand in a firm clasp. "This lady will be more a governess for Amelia than you, Tina. You must agree it's past time for your niece to begin her education."
    "Of course," Christina answered. "Amelia is nearly seven. But why must I take lessons?"
    "Because you are behaving like a—" Jane began sternly, but subsided when Michael threw her a quick glance.
    He turned back to Christina. "You need not take lessons—per se. But you are fifteen now. In a couple of years, you will be ready for your first Season. Perhaps this new governess could help you learn all the niceties that young ladies must know when they make their bows in Society. If we are going to be paying her anyway, we might as well get our money's worth. Eh, Tina?" He gave her a wink.
    Christina smiled reluctantly. Her chin, though, still had a most mutinous set. Michael had his work cut out for him to jolly her out of her bad mood today. His mother, too, looked most unhappy, and he also had his work out in the fields today. He was going with the bailiff to inspect the plots being readied for spring planting, which was coming upon them quickly.
    His old leg wound gave another warning twinge, and he flexed it secretly under the table. If his mother or sister had even a tiny suspicion that his leg ached, they would overwhelm him with fussing. That would be even worse than their bickering.
    He took a deep swallow of his coffee and said, "All right, Mother, why don't you tell us about this governess the agency found?"
    "She is probably a dry old stick," Christina muttered.
    "On the contrary, my dear." Jane picked up the letter from beside her plate. "She is not old at all. In fact, she's rather young for such a position—just twenty-two. But she's a widow. An Italian lady who married an Englishman. She is well versed in music, languages, deportment, embroidery, the use of globes. Just what we are looking for."
    Christina brightened a bit and sat up straighter in her chair. Michael doubted it was the lady's adeptness with globes she was interested in. His suspicions immediately sharpened. "She is Italian ?" Christina said.
    "Yes." A frown wrinkled Jane's brow beneath the edge of her cap. "That is unfortunate. A foreign governess. But, other than that, she appears quite suitable."
    "What is her name?" Christina asked.
    Jane glanced again at the letter. "Mrs. Kate Brown."
    "That does not sound Italian at all!" Christina pouted. "I thought it would be something more—exotic."
    "My dear Christina, you really must..." And Jane went on, talking to her daughter of suitability and proper behavior and what the neighbors might think. Michael heard her voice, but not the words, as he finished up his cooling coffee. He had heard it all before, and the twinges in his leg were growing more insistent.
    As soon as his mother's voice paused, he said, "Well, then. If you fine ladies will excuse me, I have some accounts I must go over in the library before I go riding out."
    "Oh, yes, of course, Michael, dear," his mother said, appropriately distracted. "I must be going up to dress. I told Lady Ross I would come into the village today to help her arrange flowers at the church." Her faded green eyes took on a calculating light. Lady Ross was her only rival for social leadership in the neighborhood, and every encounter with this nemesis took minute planning. It was like what watching Wellington at Aranjuez must have been like. "Christina, you will come with me, of course.