Read Secrets and Sensibilities: A Regency Romance Mystery (The Lady Emily Capers Book 1) for Free Online

defend herself, but she would defend her
work. It was much like his own philosophy.
    “Lady Prestwick,” her ladyship sneered, “was once a
governess.”
    “Perhaps that’s why she was so kind and patient,” Hannah
replied. “His Grace the Duke of Emerson has agreed to sit for me when he
returns from Vienna, and I delayed painting Squire Pentercast and his family to
make this trip.”
    “Well, I certainly wouldn’t want to disappoint the
Pentercasts,” her ladyship proclaimed triumphantly. “Please, Miss Alexander,
feel free to return to your work.”
    Miss Alexander squared her shoulders, and David could feel
her relief at being dismissed. She had work to do, he could understand that,
work that was most likely far more important than playing nursemaid to a set of
untried young ladies. But he and Asheram had been trying in vain to understand
what was happening to the Brentfield art treasures, and this woman might hold
the key.
    “I think she should stay,” he proclaimed.
    She jumped.
    The countess frowned at him. “Why?”
    They were all staring at him as if he’d lost his wits. Even
Asheram wore a frown, as if trying to understand David’s thoughts.
    “I want to be painted,” he told them for want of anything
better to say.
    Miss Alexander blinked.
    Her ladyship’s frown deepened. “You cannot be serious. And
if you are, we will have Lawrence or Fuseli visit this summer.” Her very tone
dismissed the subject. David had no idea who she had cited, but he imagined
they must be famous painters in England. He had no intention of sitting for
hours in front of another stiff-necked Brit.
    “Why wait?” he countered. “I’m in the mood now. What do you
say, Miss Alexander?”
    She opened her mouth, and her ladyship started speaking
before the poor thing could say a word.
    “No, now that I think on it, my lord, you are quite right.
We must keep her. I will need her. La, what was I thinking that I will have
time to be with four vivacious girls when I must help you with the estate?
Please forgive me, Miss Alexander. It has been a long time since I entertained.
Not since my dear Charles died.” A handkerchief appeared in her ladyship’s
hand, and she daubed at her eyes while sniffing. David wondered whether she had
ever considered going on the stage.
    “Perhaps we should let Miss Alexander make the decision,”
Asheram said. Her ladyship’s hand froze in mid-daub. David found himself
holding his breath.
    She glanced about at them all, then held David’s gaze. “Lord
Brentfield,” she said in her quiet voice, “I’m sure her ladyship can find you a
suitable painter. I would like to return to the school as soon as possible;
however, I promised Miss Martingale, the head mistress, that I would ensure her
students are well cared for and well educated. If Lady Brentfield needs me, I
will remain.”
    It was the second time she had looked directly into his
eyes, and he found himself captivated. “You don’t have to convince me, Miss Alexander.
I never wanted you to leave in the first place.”
    His honesty set her ladyship to sputtering and Miss
Alexander to blushing.
    “With that settled,” Asheram said, “I believe we have a room
ready for Miss Alexander. If you’ll follow me.”
    “I hope,” her ladyship managed with acid tones, “that you
will not dawdle in the servant’s quarters. I’ll need you shortly with the
girls.”
    She had obviously meant it as a parting shot calculated to
remind the woman of her place, but David’s temper flared. He had never liked
bullies, especially those who kicked someone when they were down.
    “Asheram,” he barked, “can’t we do better than that?”
    Asheram glanced from her ladyship’s determined pout to
David, whose mouth was probably just as set. “My lord,” he started.
    David met his gaze, and Asheram stood taller. Turning to the
art teacher beside him, he bowed. “There are a number of rooms in the west
wing, Miss Alexander, that should allow you to