Her Secondhand Groom(39)
He chuckled. He’d always wondered what it’d be like to have siblings. He opened his mouth to ask her about her younger brothers and sisters when suddenly she spoke again.
“Are there any others?”
“One more,” Patrick said. He sat down next to her.
“It’s not Miss Grant, is it?”
Patrick groaned. “No it’s not Miss Grant.”
She twisted her lips. “Why is it you won’t even consider her? Surely you don’t find her education lacking or her manners deplorable, do you?”
Patrick met her piercing grey eyes straight on and thought carefully of what he’d say. Miss Grant was one of Juliet’s former schoolmates’ older sisters, and what he said about her education or manners could very easily be applied to Juliet as well. “No. I don’t find her lacking in those scores. However, I worry about the possible jealousy that Miss Grant could develop toward you.”
“Pardon?”
He shrugged. “You’re a viscountess now. She’s not. Surely you see how that could lead to jealous feelings?”
“If you say so.” She crossed her arms and averted her gaze, mumbling something.
He crossed his arms, too. “Well, I say so.” Truthfully, Miss Grant sounded perfect for the post, but he’d be damned if he knowingly invited more miserable tension into the house. That was the last thing Briar Creek needed. As it was, tension was slowly choking the life out of everyone who lived here, this particular moment was no exception.
Finally, an unsettled Links walked through the door and ended their silent torture.
“My lord, Miss Cordelia Sharpe is here for her interview.”
Patrick nodded for Links to let her in. What could have happened to have shaken Links’ solid resolve?
In less than five minutes’ time, he knew.
Miss Sharpe, stepped through the door and attempted a curtsy, nearly tipping forward as she did. Straightening, she mumbled a word that Patrick could have sworn sounded a lot like “bugger”. He shook his head. Surely not, she was applying for a governess post, after all.
Miss Sharpe attempted another curtsy, this time placing more weight on her back foot, and nearly falling backward. Juliet moved to help her up and cast compassionate eyes at Patrick, which he took to mean he better not let her inability to curtsy properly be a strike against her.
Once up, Miss Sharpe attempted yet another curtsy and halfway down muttered, “Oh bloody hell, bugger it all.”
Juliet’s mouth gaped, and so did Patrick’s.
Without a word of invitation, Miss Sharpe walked into the middle of the room, plopped down on the settee, and kicked off her slippers. “Shall we start this interview?”
Patrick studied this woman. He already knew there wasn’t even a particle of a chance he’d allow his daughters alone with this woman, but he owed it to Juliet to at least attempt to interview this woman. He took a seat and looked to Juliet to start the interview.
Juliet licked her lips. “Do you have any experience as a governess?”
“Aye.”
“Excellent. Did you happen to bring your letters of reference?”
Miss Sharpe scowled. “No.”
“Do you have a letter of reference?” Juliet asked.
Patrick would have inwardly chuckled at her innocence if not for Miss Sharpe’s course response. “No, I don’t got no bloody reference. That bloody Lord Tarley couldn’t keep his bloody hands off me.”
Patrick frowned. He didn’t believe that for a second. He might not be that familiar with Lord Tarley, but he knew him well enough to know the man wouldn’t have relations with his staff, especially one such as Miss Sharpe.
Juliet cleared her throat. “And how long were you in his employ?”
“Six bloody years.” Miss Sharpe crossed her arms. “Am I hired, or not?”
“Pardon?” Juliet asked, drawing Patrick’s attention. He’d only heard that tone directed at him. He nearly smiled at the knowledge someone aside from him had the power to get her dander up.
“I said, am I bloody hired?” she repeated as if it was the normal way of things for the potential employee to come into the interview using rough language and demand answers.
“No,” Juliet and Patrick said in unison.
He glanced at Juliet. They may disagree about nearly everything else, but for once they were in perfect agreement.
“And why the bloody hell not?’
“Because your manners are better suited for that of a stablehand rather than a governess.” His eyes narrowed. “And no, I am not currently seeking an employee for such a position.” Not that I’d even think of letting you near my prized stallion.