“Which is a benefit, you ninny.”
“Well, I’m ordinary, too!”
Ivy quickened her step. The applicants had multiplied like rabbits since the time she had arrived at the estate.
Her heart sang with guiltless joy. This early bird had caught her worm, although nothing about the duke reminded her of a measly creature she could crush beneath her foot. In truth, she had signed a contract pledging her subservience to him.
Strange that he had already put his signature to the document. What made him so sure of her? What if one of the other applicants proved more qualified than Ivy and pleaded the chance to prove herself the better governess?
He had chosen her.
And if a long-ago kiss and her door knocker—she stopped in sudden realization, turning slowly. She had left her reticule and dragon behind in her rush to escape before he could change his mind.
The dragon would have to wait.
She wasn’t about to brave those parasols.
Or face the duke alone again.
* * *
Carstairs closed the door on Ivy’s rather graceless exit and approached the desk. “I hope you will not make a habit of that,” James said.
The steward stared at the floor. “Of what, Your Grace?”
“Of eavesdropping, you rapscallion.”
“I was only standing guard in case you required my assistance.”
“Against a governess?” James asked, grinning at the thought.
“You haven’t seen the mob in the reception room, Your Grace. There must be a hundred of them, and more arriving by the minute. Some of the ladies are poking one another with parasols in such antagonism I fear hostilities are about to break out.”
“Well, tell the parasols that the position has been filled and send them on their way.”
“Sight unseen?” Carstairs glanced down again at the floor. “Excuse me for asking, but what is that by your desk?”
James looked down at his feet, laughing quietly. “Damn me. She forgot her reticule, and her dragon.”
“Oh, dear,” Carstairs said. “Shall I run after her with the items?”
James went down on one knee. “Don’t bother. I shall return them to her myself.”
“But she hasn’t left the property yet.”
“Are you suggesting I subject myself to a horde of hostile umbrellas?”
Carstairs shuddered. “I will brave them for Your Grace. Stay hidden until the grounds are cleared.”
“Take reinforcements. I can’t afford to lose you, Carstairs.”
Chapter 8
Rosemary ran down the garden path ahead of the others to greet Ivy at the gatehouse. She took a long look at Ivy’s flushed face and drew back in disappointment. “It didn’t go well, did it? You didn’t get the job? Cook heard that a parade of carts left the village carrying applicants for the job to his estate. Never mind, Ivy. They’ll be other positions.”
“Not in the duke’s house,” Lilac said, staring at Ivy in chagrin. “I was hoping you’d come home with a basket of food.”
“I forgot my muff and reticule,” Ivy explained. “His Grace is really going to think I’m absentminded, practically dropping the door knocker on his foot and then leaving it there after all the fuss over it.”
Rosemary grinned. “I understand why he didn’t hire you.”
“But he did,” Ivy said, taking a deep breath.
Lilac blinked in disbelief. “Then why do you look so unsettled?”
“Because—oh, what does it matter?”
Rue gasped. “Congratulations.”
“You must have made quite an impression,” Rosemary said, looking her up and down. “Either that or he has impeccable taste.”
“It’s a miracle is all I know,” Ivy said, eluding further questioning. “And I have to start on Monday, which means one of you has to come with me to London to sell the pearls so I can buy a dress and food to see you through until I’m paid my wages.”
“I’ll go with you,” Rue said, slipping her arm around Ivy’s waist. “That way Rosemary can keep on writing and Lilac won’t be jostled around in the streets.”
Ivy turned to Rue. She looked so wan that Ivy started to say she would be fine with the footman. But Rue, reading her mind, would have none of it.
“Nonsense, Ivy. If you’re willing to make a sacrifice, then so am I. This is good news, isn’t it?”
She felt a niggle of uncertainty about Rue’s offer, but she let it pass. It wasn’t a long journey, and they had just enough money for lodgings. “I’ll be grateful for your company.”
* * *
The evening of that same day, Rue was helping Ivy pack their bags for their journey when they heard rain on the roof. Seconds later they hurried into one of the upper halls with oil rags to stuff the broken panes. The branches of the ancient oaks quivered in the rising wind.