A Marquess, A Miss And A Mystery. ANNIE BURROWS

it.

      ‘Yes, I have just learned that the nursery is in a state of chaos.’

      The nursery? What did she know of nurseries? Or children of any sort, come to that?

      ‘Lady Twickenham informs me that there is no resident governess to preside. I imagine that the children must be behaving like little savages while the visiting governesses are battling it out for supremacy.’

      Miss Underwood clasped her hands at her breast. ‘I deny...that is, I cannot be everywhere at once...’

      ‘On second thoughts,’ said Lord Devizes, giving her a considering look, ‘perhaps Miss Carmichael is not the best person to put in charge of such a task. After all, what can a spinster know of children? Or what might keep them out of mischief?’

      This calculatedly disparaging remark immediately caused both Miss Underwood and Lady Elizabeth to leap to her defence.

      ‘I am sure Horatia is perfectly capable of restoring order over some squabbling servants,’ said Lady Elizabeth loyally.

      ‘Most governesses are unmarried ladies, you know, of good birth and...’ said Miss Underwood at the same time.

      Lord Devizes raised his hands, as though in surrender. And then sauntered away, a satisfied smile curving his lips in a way that made Horatia simultaneously want to slap him and applaud him for the masterful way he’d just manipulated them into installing her into the very arena he wished her, for some reason, to investigate.

       Chapter Seven

      ‘Lord Devizes is quite correct,’ said Miss Underwood despondently. ‘I really do need to do something about a new governess. Although, I do not regret dismissing the last one,’ she said, raising her chin and shooting his retreating back a defiant look. ‘She was totally unsuitable.’

      ‘He was also correct in pointing out that I have no experience with children,’ said Horatia.

      ‘Never mind standing about talking about how clever Lord Devizes is to point out everyone else’s faults,’ snapped Lady Elizabeth. ‘Let’s go up to the nursery and put our minds to solving your immediate problem, Miss Underwood.’