Page 28 of Forever My Lass

“Our earlier conversation was interrupted. As I recall, we were discussing what positions would best suit your skills.” When she remained silent, he glanced at a photograph frame on his desk before he met her gaze. “It’s evident your options are not extensive, and I have a proposal for you.”

“What kind of proposal?” Madeline tipped her head slightly as she studied him warily.

“It’s obvious someone needs tae provide for ye, and I’m willing tae offer my protection in exchange for ye becoming governess tae my daughters.” The suggestion that she needed protection made her narrow her gaze at the man.

“First off, I do not need someone to provide for me. Secondly, I don’t have the slightest idea how to be a governess.”

“Ye dinnae have difficulty challenging my abilities as a parent, which leads me tae believe ye are not unfamiliar with how tae deal with children.” For not the first time, she realized she’d always be able to tell when he was irritated, annoyed, or upset, because he always slipped into a deep brogue. Apparently, his cultured accent was something he’d learned, while his Scottish accent flowed off his tongue as sensually as silk drifting over her skin, even when he was angry.

“I’ve already apologized for criticizing you, and all I did was listen to Ainslie. I understand you were worried, but berating her would not have helped the situation,” she huffed with a breath of exasperation. “And it’s most definitely not a good example of my suitability for a job as a governess.”

“Then how do ye propose tae pay for your room and board? I am a generous host, but there are limits tae my generosity.”

The quiet question made her flinch, and her cheeks grew cold, a sign that the color had drained from her face. He was right. She couldn’t rely on him to keep supporting her. On the heels of that thought was the realization she had nowhere else to go. She had no idea how long it would take for her to find a job or if she even could. In the back of her head, she heard the sharp, grating sound of a jail cell door clanging shut. It left her feeling trapped, and she tried to quell the panic rising inside of her.

“Well, Madeline?” The ultimatum in his voice said he knew she only had one option.

“Fine,” she snapped.

“Good.”

The single word echoed with the sound of satisfaction, and she eyed him with antipathy. Her reaction caused his mouth to quirk in a small smile. Clearly he was amused by her irritation.

“There is a room next to the children’s’ bedroom. I believe it will provide ample space for a schoolroom. I will inform Ainslie and Grace at lunch. Ye will take your meals with us tae ensure my children are instructed as tae proper etiquette at the table.”

“That should be interesting,” she muttered. She hadn’t the foggiest notion as to what would be deemed proper behavior at a table in 1896. As with everything else in this new reality, she would have to wing it.

“I am leaving for Aberdeen tomorrow morning, so Ainslie and Grace will be your complete responsibility while I’m gone.”

“Yes, my lord,” she murmured with sarcasm. Her reply caused him to eye her with irritation, before his mouth suddenly twitched with amusement. Not about to let him say something that would drive her blood pressure up even higher, she raised her chin haughtily. “If you’ll excuse me, I apparently now have a job to do.”

Spinning about on the heel of her foot, she stalked to the door of the study. Her hand on the crystal doorknob, she froze then slowly turned to face him.

“By the way, what is the salary of a governess these days?” The question made him frown at her.

“I dinnae mention a salary.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure, room and board is in addition to the annual salary.”

“I will pay ye twenty-three pounds a year.”

“Twenty-three pounds. That’s all?” she gasped.

That wouldn’t even buy her a new pair of shoes at home. Although she knew things were much cheaper in this time period, than at home, she still had nothing to compare the amount to.

“Twenty-five and nae a shilling more,” he growled.

Something told her the amount was a generous one, but it still sounded like poverty-level wages. With an abrupt nod, she jerked the door open and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The man was as arrogant as they came, but in the back of her mind, a voice said it made him sexy as hell.

Annoyed that she’d even admitted the fact, she ran up the stairs to the only sanctuary she had in the house. She slammed that door behind her too, then sank down on her bed to stare at the wall. How in the hell had she landed in 1896, and how was she going to get home?

Chapter 8

Madeline looked over her shoulder and considered the proportions of Muchalls Hall from her vantage point. An educated guess said she’d walked at least a mile and a half, possibly even two. Sunday afternoons were apparently the only time off the household staff received each week, and she’d chosen to go for a walk.

Although she wasn’t sure she could say she was working all that hard. Iain had left several days ago, leaving her to flounder about in her new role of governess. Madeline didn’t have a clue what she was doing and was winging it when it came to coming up with an education plan for Ainslie and Grace.

For sanity’s sake, she’d decided to focus on the natural talents the girls possessed. Ainslie was exceptional at math and had a talent for working with animals. It didn’t surprise her that Grace excelled at botany, but the child was quite skilled at drawing too. Madeline had encouraged the girl to write down her poultice recipes, while drawing and identifying the ingredients.