Drops of Gold(59)

Marion saw Miss Kendrick roll her eyes and knew that she was fully aware of her intended’s playacting and that she loved him despite it, or perhaps, to a degree, because of it. She felt a pang of jealousy, wishing in that moment that the man she loved could love her despite her situation. Could love her at all, she corrected herself.

“The countess has sent me to you to address a domestic matter,” Miss Kendrick continued on. Marion sensed a certain nervousness in her manner. “It seems my training is to begin early.”

Training to be the countess, no doubt. No wonder Miss Kendrick was nervous. Generally speaking, most misses were not raised to be countesses, just as most ladies were not raised to be governesses. Marion understood what it was to feel out of one’s place and learning an entirely new role.

“How may I be of service, Miss Kendrick?” Marion hoped to put the future Countess of Lampton at ease.

“A family—guests—due to arrive soon, will be bringing with them both a governess and a nursemaid,” Miss Kendrick said, obviously thinking through her words as she said them. Marion softened her servant’s demeanor with the slightest empathetic smile. “We thought perhaps you would appreciate the opportunity for some occasional time to yourself. But I had wondered about Miss Caroline. I was told”—she sent an accusatory glance at Lord Lampton—“that Miss Caroline was likely to be easily overwhelmed by groups of people, though I am beginning to think my fiancé’s word is not to be trusted.”

“His assessment is, I assure you, not so much inaccurate as it is out-of-date.” Marion barely kept back a laugh at the teasing tone of Miss Kendrick’s words and the almost theatrical look of wounded innocence Lord Lampton assumed. “Miss Caroline is greatly changed over these past two months.”

“Since your arrival, Miss Wood?” Lord Lampton asked with a lightness that didn’t ring entirely true.

“Those are words waiting to be twisted, Lord Lampton. I think I would do best not to answer.”

“My approach as well, Miss Wood.” Miss Kendrick smiled at her. “Do you believe Miss Caroline will adjust to having her nursery inundated?”

Miss Kendrick was obviously a no-nonsense, straightforward kind of person, rather different from Marion, but Marion felt entirely at ease with her. Under different circumstances, they might very well have been friends.

“I cannot say how Caroline will react,” Marion said, “having never seen her under similar circumstances. I can always take her back to the Meadows should she seem overwrought.”

Miss Kendrick smiled in obvious relief. Yes, they would have been friends, indeed. Miss Kendrick smiled up at Lord Lampton, whose expression matched her own. “It seems your mother gave me an easy task. Or perhaps I am better at countess-ing than I thought.”

“Both, I imagine,” Lord Lampton replied.

“I was also instructed to have a look around while I was up here,” Miss Kendrick said, looking around with a little blush.

“That’s Mater.” Lord Lampton laughed. “She dotes on grandchildren.”

The remark sent a furious red blush across Miss Kendrick’s face, something Marion would have had a hard time imagining had she not seen it. Looking very much like she was escaping, Miss Kendrick limped across the large play room and began peeking into the adjoining rooms.

“Well, Miss Wood,” Lord Lampton said, his voice low, “I think you should know that you have made a liar of me.”

“I . . . what?”

He straightened his bright red waistcoat and continued, as if offhand. “I had to tell my brother a Banbury tale about a nonexistent London acquaintance in order to make use of the information you provided me with.”

“What did you learn?” Marion asked then quickly checked her tone. “If I may be permitted to ask.”

“A great deal, so far.” Lord Lampton’s eyes never left Miss Kendrick as she slowly inspected the nursery wing. “The condition your ‘friend’s’ wife suffered from has a name, it seems, and is recognized by many noted physicians as a form of madness.”

“Madness?” She whispered the word, knowing somehow that the diagnosis was of utmost significance.

“The law doesn’t condemn a person for doing what this individual’s wife apparently did if that person is mad,” Lord Lampton quickly explained as Miss Kendrick slowly made her approach. “I managed to get that information to him in what I hope was an inconspicuous manner.”

“What of the views of the church, Lord Lampton?” Marion pressed. “I think God’s condemnation has weighed on him most.”