“Please accept my humble apologies. Since the highwaymen
have overrun the roads in this area, the people who live here have become
extremely suspicious of any stranger. If I may introduce myself, I am the
Honorable Stephen Duval, younger brother to the Earl of Berkshire, and
currently heir presumptive. Will you permit me to join you?”
“I am Miss Emily
Radford, governess.” Emily looked around the room with a raised eyebrow. “I
think it would be rather impolite of me to refuse to sit with you after just
receiving your charity. I shall do nothing to dissuade your company. In fact,
if there were another cup, I would offer to pour you some tea.”
“I don’t much care for the stuff.” Stephen grinned and sat
in a chair on the other side of the table holding the tea. “I like you too much
for you to be a stuffy old governess. Where did you come from, if I may be so
bold as to ask?”
“London.” Emily smiled and felt as if she were conversing
with one of her pupils. “I was employed by the Pickerings down Stockbridge way,
and supposed to meet with them here, but I apparently missed them. I don’t
suppose you know of a way to arrive at Stockbridge this evening?”
“Not a safe one.” Stephen ran his fingers through his hair.
“Maybe you mistook the day?”
Emily shook her head sorrowfully. “There is perhaps the
chance they changed their minds about me.”
“See. I told you that you were not stuffy enough. It just
goes to show that you weren’t meant to be a governess.” Stephen grinned, leaned
back in his chair, and crossed his arms.
“But I must make an honest living somehow…” Emily began to
protest.
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