“But she said she never wears them. She said you would need them,” Fanny’s maid promised, chasing after.
Nicolas eased closer to hear the rest of the exchange.
“I don’t care what she said I would want or not want,” the woman argued. “A governess has no need for silks or velvet riding gowns. I’d rather go out without a stitch of clothing than accept so much charity from anyone.”
Nicolas choked on a laugh.
The woman suddenly reappeared from Fanny’s bedchamber doorway and spotted him in the hall. Her eyes widened. “Oh!”
“Hello,” Nicolas began, moving toward the argumentative woman. “What happens here?”
The woman scowled. “I am trying to return the gowns Lady Rivers keeps foisting upon me.”
“Foisting?” Nicolas stalked closer to the woman until he towered over her. He was comfortable intimidating people with his greater height. One look up at him and those in the wrong tended to stammer.
“Yes, foist.” A merry smile appeared on her face though as she stared up at him without fear or apparent concern. “I do like that word, don’t you? It makes me think of the season and all those unwise choices debutants will make.”
“It is one of my favorite words.” His hand shot out before he could stop himself. “You must be Mrs. Thorpe.”
“I guess I must be. How do you do?” They shook hands, and much to his shock he lingered over her until she pulled her hand back. He was never usually so friendly to governesses, especially pretty unemployed ones.
Mrs. Thorpe, however, saw nothing forward in his behavior and beamed a brilliant smile his way. “And you are?”
“Nicolas Westfall.”
Her eyes narrowed upon him and then she peeked at Fanny. “Is this another friend of yours that I simply must meet?”
Nicolas laughed outright. It was a novelty to be seen as something other than Father or the Duke of Stapleton. Anonymity was rare around members of his family. “Something like that.”
Fanny rushed forward, and her next words spoiled the moment for him. “Gillian Thorpe may I present my father, the Duke of Stapleton.”
“Oh. Oh, I see.” The woman stared at him and then drew back a step, no doubt aware of her position in the world and of his greater one too. He was amused that she did not immediately curtsy to him. Instead, she punched her hands to her hips and kept her gaze on him. “Can you be counted on to stop Lady Rivers giving me things I do not need?”
Nicolas laughed, pleased that the mention of his title hadn’t turned the woman into a simpering flirt as often happened. “I have tried to curb her generosity to no avail all her life. If she is not giving things away, she is bringing strays home with her. She is determined to look after everyone. She’s been that way since childhood, only then she brought home wounded birds and lost dogs. Lately, it has been strangers eating at her table. Most people simply give in and accept rather than fight with her.”
“I am not most people, your grace.” Mrs. Thorpe colored suddenly and then dipped an elegant curtsy to him finally, and then faced Fanny with a determined expression. “You have to promise to stop this nonsense, or I will leave tonight.”
Nicolas grinned at the steel in her voice. This was not a woman who planned to make use of Fanny’s money. He couldn’t help but like her for standing her ground.
Fanny suddenly held up her hands in surrender. “You are the most stubborn of women.”
Gillian Thorpe smiled widely. “That’s a promise I expect
you to keep, my lady. Excuse me.”
She spun about and returned to a bedchamber but reappeared a moment later with a hatbox in hand. She thrust that at Fanny’s nervous maid. “I do not wish to see this hatbox ever again,” she told the girl firmly. “Or the contents.”
Nicolas shook his head. What a governess she must have made. No wonder Lady Lowell wanted to be rid of her. In a household run by women, there could only be one woman in charge. He could easily imagine this woman defending her charges from suitors and false friends, and their own mothers, too, if necessary. Jessica, motherless for most of her life, needed such a woman in her life. “I see now that gossip is woefully misinformed about the nature of your relationship.”
“Of course it is wrong,” Fanny said at the same time as Mrs. Thorpe. “We are the best of friends,” Fanny continued.
Mrs. Thorpe colored a little at Fanny’s remark and shook her head. “Your daughter is the kindest person I’ve ever met, your grace. I am very grateful for her intervention and offer of shelter until I can find a new position as a governess, but I do wish she could be less generous with strays.”
Nicolas wholeheartedly agreed. Mrs. Thorpe was a confidant woman, and he admired that quality very much. She had a delightfully direct way of speaking too. “I’ve wished for that too.”
Fanny touched his arm suddenly, pulling his attention from the governess. “Will you stay for luncheon?”
He hadn’t planned to stay, but as he snuck another glance at Mrs. Thorpe, he decided he should. His youngest daughter was in need of a new governess. This one seemed almost ideal. Mrs. Thorpe might just be stubborn enough to withstand his family if she was known to have his complete support in all things related to Jessica. “I believe I’d enjoy that very much if Mrs. Thorpe would consent to join us too.”