Daddy's Here(68)

“I’ll walk from here Gerald,” he said, stepping down onto the grass. “Wait by the house for us. Be ready to leave at short notice. I feel they may protest.”

“Very good sir.”

He watched the carriage roll away before making his way across the lawn towards the copse of trees. Just as he reached them, the young woman came running out, her cheeks dark with embarrassment. He was about to speak to her when the man followed, dark machinations at work on his mind. Without pausing, he held out his foot and tripped the man, bringing him to ground in seconds. He introduced himself as the man stood up and faced him. “I would unclench those fists if I were you,” he added as the man glared at him.

“She kissed me,” the man said, pointing across at Laura.

“Did she now?” Edward replied. “Naughty girl.” He turned to the girl. “Laura, come with me.”

“I will do no such thing,” she replied, turning and storming away across the lawn, cursing and complaining as she went. The man rolled his eyes and turned to Edward.

“Robert Barker,” the man said, holding out a hand. “Been gardener here twenty years and that’s the first time I felt like leaving my post. She’s done some damage to me, I swear it. Kneed me right here.” He rubbed between his legs and winced.

“You’ve seen her grow up then,” Edward said, ignoring his complaint.

“I have that. She were a difficult child and she’s only got worse. If you ask me, she needs a firm spanking to put her right.”

“Oh I could not agree more. Do not worry though, by the time I’m done with her, she will be good as gold.”

Robert raised his eyebrows. “Who are you?”

“I’m going to be her papa.”

“Papa? But she already has a father.”

“Ah, this is something quite different. Now if you’ll excuse me I am expected at the house.”

“Of course. I’ll leave you to it. Might just sit here and recover for a minute anyway.”

Edward left the gardener behind him and strode towards the house. Walking around the edge of the building he noticed the back door was open. No doubt she had left it open.

“Hello there,” he called out as he walked into the hallway within. An answering voice came almost at once.

“I say, who’s there?” It was a man’s voice. A second later a gentleman stepped out into the hallway, followed closely behind was a woman at least ten years younger than him, possibly more. “Is that you Mr Westall?”

“It is,” he replied, walking across and shaking the proffered hand. “I have come to assess your daughter Laura.”

“Of course, come through, come through. You are quite the unconventional fellow to enter by the back door.”

“It is how everyone in Amsterdam does it.”

“Is it really?” Lord Rothsfield said, shaking his head. “I did not know that.”

They settled in the parlour, Edward in an armchair and Lord and Lady Rothsfield together on a sofa opposite him, looking much as if they were about to be interviewed for a job, which Edward found most amusing.

“I read your letter with great interest Lord Rothsfield,” Edward said.

“You did?” he replied. “Do you think you can fix the girl?”

“Fix is not a word I like. I prefer to think of it as bringing out what is already inside them. Girls like Laura do not mean to be bad. They have merely had it too easy in life.”

“I told you,” Maria said, nudging her husband who turned and scowled at her.

“She is a wilful one,” Lord Rothsfield said. “Since her mother died…”

“Spare me the details,” Edward said. “They all have a sob story behind them. I have heard them all. No story is bad enough to excuse the sort of behaviour I have just observed in your daughter.”

“You have met her already?”

“I have. She is rude, impolite, obnoxious. In short, she is a brat.”

“Oh dear. Is it really that bad?”

“It took seconds to see the issue. A lack of discipline at home. You have a child attempting to act as an adult. You need an adult allowed to act as a child.”

“I am not sure I follow you.”

“It matters not. What matters is whether I agree to take her on and I am in two minds over that particular decision.”

“Oh tell me you will take her. Money is no object. My wife tells me you do the finest work.”

“Your wife is too kind. I do my best and what more can anyone do?”

“Indeed.”

Edward leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “I am in two minds because I am not certain what you will think of my methods. I am strict, some have even called me cruel. I will not spare the girl punishment if I think she deserves it. Could you handle that? Would you take her back if she posted you a sob story of her own about her mistreatment at my hands?”