Page 20 of The Defiant Governess
Jane managed a nod.
Two footmen brought in the first course, and if they were surprised at seeing the boy and his governess dining with the master their impassive faces gave no hint of it, though Jane was sure it would be the talk of the servant quarters.
Try as she might, Jane found it difficult to relax and take some enjoyment from the evening. Usually she would appreciate the irony inherent in the situation and laugh at it, but tonight she felt only a certain glumness. Her reticence led to rather long lapses in the conversation, though she did notice that Saybrook made an effort to converse with Peter, something he obviously had little practice in doing. But the boy, still flushed with excitement, was happy to prattle on, regardless.
Suddenly, the marquess spoke directly to her. “Do you always wear spectacles?”
“Why, n-no,” she faltered. “That is, they’re rather new and I don’t need them all the time.”
“Perhaps they are not suited to you.”
“Why is that?” She was curious as to why he would remark on it.
“Because you appear to be squinting most of the time. Maybe you would be more comfortable if you removed them.”
Flustered, Jane plucked them off her nose and shoved them into her pocket.
“An improvement,” murmured Saybrook, a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth.
“How would you know that?” she demanded.
“To your appearance,” he shot back.
Jane lowered her eyes to her plate.So that was his plan in inviting her to dine—to humiliate her in payment for what she had done that afternoon before he turned her out. She bit off any retort, determined not to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had rattled her.
When the final covers had been removed, Saybrook turned to Peter. “And what do you usually do until your bedtime?”
“Miss Langley has been teaching me to play chess.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Chess? How interesting. Why don’t you run along and set up the board in the drawing room while Miss Langley and I have a word together in the library.”
Jane rose wordlessly. No doubt he had been savoring this moment throughout dinner. But she smiled to herself. There was really nothing else he could do to her—she was already dismissed.
She followed him into the library when a fire blazed, casting a rosy glow over the polished wood paneling. Saybrook walked deliberately to the side table and poured himself a brandy. He swirled it round in his glass, then went to stand by the fire. Jane, too, remained on her feet though he had gestured for her to take a seat. The marquess leaned an elbow on the mantel and crossed his legs nonchalantly. But instead of speaking right away, he kept his gaze riveted on the glass in his hand.
Jane lifted her chin a touch, thinking that he was probably enjoying himself. She was sure he was about to ring a blistering peal over her head, but on consideration, she had to admit that she deserved it. Her behavior had been outside the pale this afternoon. It was a wonder that Saybrook had allowed her to set foot back in his house, not to speak of actually sitting down to dine with her. It must have cost him a considerable effort, for which he was entitled to be repaid.
She resolved to bear his tirade in silence, keep her tongue in check and leave with as much of her dignity intact as she could.
When he finally raised his eyes, Jane was surprised to see not anger but a strange expression that she couldn’t fathom. Disconcerted, she dropped her own eyes and waited for him to speak.
“You are packed?” he asked quietly.
She nodded.
There was a pause as if he expected her to say something. Perhaps he thought she would beg for another chance? She knew things were way too far gone for that and remained silent.
His fingers drummed on the polished wood. He took a sip of the spirits in his glass. Then abruptly, he spoke again.
“You should remain at Highwood—if you please.” though the last words were added grudgingly, it was more of a statement than a request.
“You must be jesting,” breathed Jane. It was the last thing she expected. “After what happened this afternoon...”
Saybrook ignored her. “The change in Peter has been nothing short of remarkable. I prefer that he stay in your care. I will make it worth your while—consider your salary doubled.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You cannot simply buy people, milord!”
He smiled—a cold, bitter smile. “I just have. You are staying, aren’t you?”
