‘Can we still call him Uncle Alex, even if he is now the earl?’
‘Of course we can,’ declared Meggie. ‘He is still my uncle, and you have always called him Uncle Alex. Nothing has changed, has it, Diana?’
Diana merely smiled, but as she accompanied her charges to the drawing room she was very much afraid that everything was about to change.
* * *
The new Lord Davenport was already in the drawing room when they went in, standing with one arm resting on the mantelshelf and gazing moodily into the empty hearth. At the sound of the children’s voices the sombre look fled, he smiled and dropped down on to the sofa, inviting the children to join him. They raced across the room, greeting him with a hug and a kiss upon the cheek. Diana walked forward more slowly, surprised at the change in Alex from autocrat to friendly, approachable uncle. The girls settled themselves on either side of him, chattering non-stop, and she heard Meggie asking him why he had stayed away for so long.
‘I have had a great deal of business to attend,’ he told her. ‘But it was remiss of me not to come and see you, and I beg your pardon.’
‘Diana said you would be busy,’ said Florence. ‘She said you would also be very sad, because Papa Davenport was your brother.’
‘Did you weep?’ Meggie asked him. ‘Florence and I wept when we were told that Mama and Papa had drowned. And Diana did, too.’
‘No, I did not weep,’ he said gravely. ‘But I was very sad.’
‘Diana hugged us and that made us feel better,’ said Meggie. ‘It is a pity you were not here, Uncle Alex, because she could have hugged you, too.’
Diana smothered a laugh with a fit of coughing and turned away, knowing her cheeks would be pink with embarrassment. She might consider the new earl selfish and insensitive, but she was grateful to him for adroitly changing the subject.
‘I think it is time we had some of this delicious cake that Mrs Wallace has made,’ he declared. ‘Perhaps one of you young ladies would cut a slice for me?’
Recovering, Diana moved towards the table to help the girls serve the refreshments. She was relieved that the gentleman showed no signs of wishing to quarrel in front of the girls and she was content to remain silent while he talked to them about how they spent their days and what they had learned in the schoolroom. The children were bright and as eager to learn as Diana was to teach them and she was very happy, once they had finished their refreshments, for Meggie and Florence to take the earl up to the schoolroom and show him their work. Diana remained below. It would do him no harm to enjoy the company of his wards for a while, so she took her tambour frame into the morning room to await their return.
* * *
Lord Davenport came in alone some time later and she could not resist a teasing question.
‘Have they exhausted you?’
‘By no means, but Nurse reminded them that Judd would be waiting in the stable to give them their riding lesson and even I could not compete with that treat.’
‘No, they love their ponies and I can trust Judd to look after them.’
‘You can indeed. He threw me up on my first pony and is devoted to the family.’
His good mood encouraged her to touch on their earlier discussions.
‘You see how happy they are here, my lord.’
Immediately the shutters came down.
‘They might be as happy elsewhere.’
‘In time, perhaps, but not yet.’ She felt at a disadvantage with him standing over her so she put aside her sewing and rose. ‘They are content during the day, but they are still not sleeping well. They have suffered bad dreams and even nightmares since they learned of the shipwreck. Chantreys is their home; they know it and love it. It would be cruel to uproot them now.’
‘I am informed there are very good schools, where they might mix with children of their own age and rank.’
‘They have that here,’ she replied. ‘They have friends amongst several of the local families and the servants here all go out of their way to look after them. They do not want for company.’
‘But perhaps a broader education might be beneficial. A school would provide masters in all subjects.’
‘Perhaps, but the very best masters are to be found in London and living here we have access to them. There is also much to be learned from the entertainments to be found in town. Their education will not be found lacking, I assure you.’
* * *
Alex felt the frown descending. It was a novel experience to have anyone oppose his will.
‘Do you maintain that you can teach the girls everything they require?’ he demanded.
‘I do. I will not be moved, my lord. Meggie and Florence will remain here.’
There was a calm assurance in her tone that caught him on the raw. Did she think to defy him?
He said softly, ‘What would you wager upon my having you and the children out of the house by the end of the summer?’
That determined little chin lifted defiantly.
‘I never wager upon certainties, my lord, you will not do it—unless you mean to evict us bodily?’
She met his eyes steadily and he realised she had called his bluff. He would not do anything to hurt the girls, but neither would he capitulate that easily.
‘No, I intend that you shall go willingly.’
‘What you intend, Lord Davenport, and what will happen are two very different things.’
His temper flared at her calm defiance.
‘This was always a good marriage for your sister,’ he threw at her. ‘My brother took her despite her lack of fortune. I suppose he kept you on out of charity.’
It was a low blow, unworthy of a gentleman, and Alex regretted the words as soon as they were uttered, but surprisingly she was not crushed by his comment, instead she drew herself up and her eyes flashed with anger.
‘He kept me on because I am an excellent governess!’
Admiration stirred. She was only a slip of a girl, why, she barely came up to his shoulder but she was not afraid to meet his steely glance with one equally determined. There was also a glint of mischief in her eyes when she continued.
‘Margaret was always the beauty, but I had the brains.’
He laughed at that.
‘Very well, Miss Grensham, we will agree—for the moment!—that you are a suitable governess for Meggie and Florence, but this is not a suitable house for them, you must see that. There is only the one staircase, and the building is so small that every time the children left the schoolroom my guests would be bumping into them. It will not do, the girls must leave. You may have the pick of my other properties.’
‘I do not want any of your other properties.’
Alex bent a long, considering look upon Diana. Most people found his stare unnerving, but she merely replied with quiet determination, ‘If you insist, then I shall oppose you, sir.’
Anger stirred again. Did she dare to set up her will against his?
‘You would be ill advised to cross swords with me, Miss Grensham.’
‘I have no wish to cross swords with you, Lord Davenport, but I will not move the children, and since I have your letter, you cannot make me.’ She added, with deliberate provocation,