Dangerous Pleasures by Bertrice Small

Author:Bertrice Small [Small, Bertrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2008-04-02T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

“You poor thing, you look exhausted,” Nanny Violet said sympathetically. “What’s the wee laddie’s name, dear?” She stepped over the threshold.

“William, but we call him Wills,” Annie replied. “You can hang your belongings here in the hall closet.”

“Oh, just like the lovely prince,” Nanny Violet responded as she set her hat on the closet shelf and put her cape on a hanger.

“He woke me at four,” Annie volunteered. “One of my daughters informs me that there is something going around the kindergarten. Oh, the bus! Excuse me a moment.” She dashed back out the front door just as the school bus was pulling up. “Wills is sick,” she told the driver. “Is there a bug in the kindergarten?”

The school bus driver, an older woman, nodded. “I’m half empty this morning,” she said. “It’s a bit early for it, but what can you do? Tell Wills Mrs. Baxter says to get well real soon. His friend Mark is ill, too.” Then she closed the door and pulled away.

“Just as I thought,” Annie said, coming back into the house to join Nanny Violet. “It’s a bug. Half the kindergarten has it.”

“And the other half will have it next week,” Nanny Violet said. “Now show me the kitchen, dear, and then the wee laddie. You have to get to work.” She bustled after Annie. She was a woman of indeterminate years, with a kindly face and lively brown eyes. Dressed in what could only be called sensible shoes, a gray tweed skirt, a white blouse with a round collar, and a gray wool cardigan, she exuded a cheerful grandmotherly air of confidence.

Annie showed her about the kitchen, which she was relieved was neat this morning. Amy never ate breakfast, and the twins had put their dishes in the dishwasher. Annie suspected the nanny wouldn’t approve of a messy kitchen.

“You’ve five bairns, Ms. Buckley tells me,” Nanny Violet said.

“The eldest boy is in college,” Annie answered. “Tell me, how on earth did Nora find you so quickly? You really are a godsend.”

“Why, the Channel Corporation owns, among other companies, one that supplies professional and well-trained nannies to good families,” Nanny Violet told Annie. “I was available because my last charge has just gone off to boarding school, and the family won’t be needing me any longer. I was with them for twelve years, dear.”

“You must miss them,” Annie said.

“Yes and no,” the nanny responded. “I was ready for a change.”

“Mommy!” Wills came into the kitchen. “I’m hot, Mommy.” He looked curiously at Nanny Violet.

“This is Nanny Violet, Wills,” Annie said. “She’s going to take care of you today while Mommy is at work.”

“No!” His small face crumpled, and two large tears rolled down his cheeks. “I want you, Mommy! Don’t go!” He clutched at her khaki uniform skirt.

The nanny knelt down and smiled a kindly smile. “Now, now, laddie, Mummy loves you, but she does have to be off to work. Do you know about Peter Pan?”

Wills nodded.

“Well, laddie, I’ve brought a lovely DVD of his story.

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