His Unusual Governess by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries [Herries, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781472003720
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2013-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The morning of the picnic was fine and warm, a perfect day for it. All the invitations had gone out and everyone had replied, accepting with pleasure, it seemed. Francesca was excited and John was beside himself. Several youths of his age had been invited and he was looking forward to the games he’d been promised.

Francesca and Sarah had been wrapping small gifts in secret for days. The games of running, jumping, throwing hoops over prizes and shooting arrows at a board would all be rewarded by sweetmeats and things like a silver penknife, a silver pencil and other similar trinkets, including a riding whip with a beautifully engraved silver handle, which Rupert had donated to their little hoard.

‘I think this is an excellent idea,’ he’d said to Sarah when giving her the gift. ‘It was time this place came to life again. I’m sure you will have callers while I’m gone—and when I return we’ll give a reception of some kind. I might ask a few friends of mine down, men I can trust not to try seducing Francesca before she has her Season.’ He hesitated, then, ‘What do you think of the dancing master? I’ve scarcely seen him, but he seems pleasant enough.’

‘Yes, he is charming,’ Sarah replied, keeping her reservations to herself. ‘He has given Francesca one lesson thus far, but I think she enjoyed it. I played for them, of course, so was unable to watch all of the dancing, but I think she has a natural grace.’

‘He is French, of course, and young.’ Rupert frowned. ‘I am trusting you to make certain he does not try to take advantage of her. She will never have met anyone like this Monsieur Dupree and may foolishly think herself in love with him. Make sure he does not get ideas above his station, if you please.’

‘Most young girls have a crush on their dancing master,’ Sarah said and smiled. ‘He is a very handsome young man, but I think Francesca is looking forward to her Season too much to be foolish over him.’

‘Well, I rely on you to keep an eye on her while I’ve gone.’

Sarah had promised she would. With the excitement of the picnic and the promise of her Season to come, she thought Francesca’s heart was safe enough for the moment and nothing the girl had said concerning the dancing master had given her any cause for concern. Lord Myers would naturally feel more concern because he was very protective over Francesca and did not want her breaking her heart over a man her family would never allow her to marry.

Monsieur Dupree seemed to be a very honest open young man, who had proved a hit with John from the start, showing himself willing to join a game of rounders or cricket. He had also taken on himself the task of tidying the library shelves.

‘It is a task after my own heart,’ he told Sarah when she found him rearranging a shelf early one morning.

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