Page 40 of From Rakes to Riches

He looked nearly as disheveled as he’d been when he appeared in the drive yesterday, his clothing askew and his dark hair matted with sweat. He was no longer filthy—he’d had a bath, thankfully, and the stench of debauchery was no longer clinging to him—but it didn’t look as if he’d passed a restful evening.

His complexion was gray, his eyes ringed with dark circles, and thin lines of exhaustion were etched into the corners of his mouth. Even so, there was a strong resemblance between him and his sons, particularly his eyes, which were the dark green of forest ferns.

“I fail to see why you’re dragging us outdoors in this freezing weather.” He paused at the bottom of the stairs and frowned down at her with his arms crossed over his wide chest. “Is the schoolroom not sufficient for your purposes?”

A sharp retort rose to her lips, and it was a harder struggle than it should have been for her to bite it back. It wasn’t fair, dash it. He was meant to be in his bed for hours yet, or in his study drinking brandy, or on his way back to London—anywhere buthere, tormenting her.

“Good morning, my lord,” she managed through gritted teeth. “It is rather cold, I grant you, but this morning’s lesson is?—”

“It’s animal husbands, papa.” Etienne beamed at his father. “Animal husbands is always in the stables.”

Lord Hawke’s dark brows went from lowered to imperiously arched in the blink of an eye. Really, the man had the most judgmental eyebrows. “Animal husbands, Miss Templeton? Is that some new course of study I’m not familiar with?”

“Etienne means animal husbandry, my lord.”

“Animal husbandry? How curious. Tell me, Miss Templeton, how is it you’re teaching the boys animal husbandry when there’s not a single livestock animal to be found anywhere on the property?”

No, there wasn’t, and it was shameful, as any gentleman with as substantial a property as Hawke’s Run should have a basic knowledge of livestock and agriculture. And yes, perhaps ‘animal husbandry’ was a bit too grand a title for their lessons,but what harm was there in that? “We make do with what we have, my lord.”

“Animal husbands is good fun, papa. You’ll see.” Ryan took Lord Hawke’s hand, his sweet young face bright and open as he gazed up at his father, yesterday’s fury and disappointment quickly forgotten, as was always the way with little boys.

No one was more forgiving than a child.

Right up until the point where they’d been disappointed one time too many times, and then nothing—not pleas, tears or the bitterest regrets—would ever persuade them to forgive again.

How many more chances did Lord Hawke have?

It wasn’t a question she could answer, or even one she should ask, as it wasn’t her concern. Anyway, it didn’t matter today, because he was here now, Etienne’s and Ryan’s small hands tucked into his larger ones.

The boys were so pleased and proud, skipping along at their father’s side as they made their way down the pathway that led to the stables, frosty clouds of air spilling from their lips as they chattered to him about the horse he’d ridden from London, which was tucked safely into a stall in the stables.

Guilt crept over her as she took in their happy faces. It was dreadful of her to wish Lord Hawke away from Hawke’s Run when the boys were so starved for his attention. He’d be gone soon enough, leaving them confused and disappointed, but at least they’d have this brief time with him. Later, perhaps they’d recall this tiny sliver of a memory of him being home, and spending a few fleeting moments with them. Perhaps that would make it worth all the heartache it would cause them when he disappeared again?—

“Did you grow up on a farm, Miss Templeton?”

She turned, startled to find the boys had run ahead to the stables, and Lord Hawke had come up alongside her. “No, my lord, but on an estate rather like this one, though not so grandas this. My father was far more interested in plants than animal farming, and we didn’t keep a stable.”

“I see. Then how are you qualified to teach the boys animal husbandry?”

“Are you enquiring into my qualifications, Lord Hawke?”Now, six months after she’d become his sons’ governess?

He gave her a thin smile. “You look surprised, Miss Templeton, but Ryan will become the Earl of Hawke one day, and Etienne a gentleman of consequence by virtue of the family’s title and fortune alone. You can’t suppose I would leave their education to chance.”

Why shouldn’t she suppose so? He’d left every other aspect of their lives to chance. It hardly made sense he’d trouble himself about their education. This waspish reply leapt to her lips, but she wrestled it back down her throat. It wouldn’t do her any good at all to bait Lord Hawke. She could hold her tongue, for Ryan and Etienne’s sake. “Of course not, my lord. As to my qualifications?—”

“In addition to animal husbandry, I assume you teach mathematics, history, geography and literature, as well as Latin, Greek and French. I trust you’re knowledgeable in all the physical, earth and life sciences, and philosophy, as well?”

My, he certainly sounded skeptical. “Our mutual friend Lady Fosberry arranged with Mrs. Norris for me to apply for this position, Lord Hawke. Do you suppose she would have recommended me as governess if I can’t tell Shakespeare from Marlowe, or Copernicus from Newton?”

“That isn’t an answer. I’m waiting, Miss Templeton.”

She stared at him, the thread of control she had over her temper threatening to snap again. That waspreciselywhat he thought. He’d decided, in spite of Lady Fosberry’s recommendation, that she wasn’t qualified to teach his sons!Her hackles rose until every inch of her was tingling with indignation.

“Very well, my lord. I teach Latin, Greek, French, Italian and German.” She counted them off on her fingers. “I’m perfectly well versed in literature, philosophy and mathematics, but aside from a fondness for Greek mythology, I prefer the sciences. I teach anatomy, chemistry, physics and astronomy, although I prefer the biological sciences. Zoology and botany are particular favorites of mine.”

“Botany? Bravo, Miss Templeton. You’re as knowledgeable as any Oxford don, then.”

Her teeth snapped together. “I never claimed to be anything of the sort, but neither have I exaggerated or embellished upon my qualifications. I have no need to.”

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