Read In Good Company for Free Online

right before her smile slid off her face. “But . . . where’s the new nanny?”
    “I’m afraid I wasn’t successful with that tonight, dear, but don’t fret. I’ll go back to the employment agency in the morning.” He smiled at Elizabeth who was peering at him over the top of her book. “What’s that you’re reading, Elizabeth?”
    Elizabeth Burkhart scrunched up her nose, and for a moment, he didn’t think she was going to respond, but then she held up the book. “ Little Women .”
    “That’s a bit of a depressing tale, because if I’m not much mistaken, one of the sisters dies, doesn’t she?”
    Elizabeth snapped the book shut. “I guess there’s no need for me to finish reading it now.”
    Everett winced. “Ah, yes, quite right—sorry about that.” He looked back to Caroline. “Everything go well while I was away?”
    “Everything’s been fine,” Caroline said as she nodded to the twins. “We’ve come to an understanding.”
    Alarm coursed through him. “What kind of an understanding?”
    Caroline waved a hand in the air. “I just went over a few of my expectations for them. Once I explained some of the punishments they might face if they continue on with the mayhem—such as no meals, no frogs, and no fun—well . . . they understand my position. I don’t believe we’ll be seeing any more trouble. Will we, children?” Caroline arched a dainty brow at the twins.
    “No,” Thaddeus and Rosetta said together.
    “No . . . what?” Caroline asked pleasantly.
    For a second, pure mutiny flashed from both the twins’ eyes, but then Rosetta smiled. “No more trouble, Miss Dixon.”
    “Exactly right.” Caroline looked back to Everett. “Now then, returning to the nanny situation. What happened?”
    “Mrs. Patterson doesn’t have anyone available at the moment. Well, not anyone suitable for our needs.”
    “So there was at least someone?”
    “Not really.”
    Caroline picked up her tea and took a sip. “I will be beyond disappointed if we have to delay our trip to Newport again, Everett, especially since I’ve already missed numerous social events. I, along with Miss Niesen, have plans to play tennis at the Casino two days from now with our friends. I will be sorely put out if I have to give up my match because you can’t find help to watch over the children.”
    Rubbing a hand over his face, Everett took a step closer to her. “You and Miss Niesen should go to Newport without me,which is what I suggested to you two weeks ago, when nanny number twelve left my employ. You do have your own cottage after all, given to you by your very indulgent grandmother, and it seems a shame that said cottage is still standing vacant at the moment, except for your staff, of course.”
    Caroline let out a sniff. “Society would not look kindly on me if I were to abandon you in your time of need.” She lifted her chin. “But, I’m going to admit here and now that I’m beginning to get extremely annoyed with you. If there is a woman out there available to work, whether she’s suitable for the position or not, I’m going to have to insist you offer her a position—tonight.”
    Everett opened his mouth to argue, but before he could utter a single word, Caroline set aside her cup and began rising from her chair, stopping suddenly as she sucked in a sharp breath of air. A mere second later, Everett discovered what was behind her peculiar behavior.
    The chair was now firmly attached to Caroline’s behind, sticking out at a very awkward angle. One glance to the twins—both of whom were looking far too innocent—proved who was responsible for the latest disaster.
    A second later, there was an ominous ripping sound, and to his relief, Caroline was no longer attached to the chair, but when she turned around, he discovered that she was also no longer attached to the back of her skirt. As her shrieks of outrage began bouncing around the room, Everett realized what he was going to have to do.
    He