Page 7 of His One and Only Lady

Glancing over his shoulder toward the house, he scanned the guests milling about the terrace and lawns.

Still no Athena.

Where was she?

After all, she insisted on accompanying him and Bernadine, even though he’d politely—quite firmly in truth—tried to put her off. Either Athena was as obtuse as a turnip to his numerous hints, or she was simply mulish. He’d come to believe the latter. Still, he couldn’t very well tell her Aunt Melvelia had expressly asked that Athena not come.

Regardless, she should’ve been outside searching for Bernadine as he had been. But she wasn’t, which made him once again regret agreeing to allow her to take on the role of Bernadine’s caregiver.

When he’d returned from his early morning ride a short time ago, he’d encountered Athena in the foyer, flustered and put-upon. She claimed Bernadine had run off after having a tantrum, and she’d been looking for her ever since.

Neither behavior was typical for Bernadine, but according to his sister-in-law, Bernadine had become difficult to manage of late. Particularly when business called him away. He had an easy solution for that. Next time, he’d take Bernadine with him, but he’d have to hire a governess first.

Though he didn’t like being apart from his daughter, Theran had been in London for the past three weeks on business. Rather, attending a series of meetings regarding the production and harvesting of crops as well as new fertilization methods. As a gentleman farmer, he was intrigued with introducing modern farming techniques.

He firmly believed England’s agricultural future depended upon it.

That had required him to be away from his beloved daughter, and according to Athena, Bernadine had been contrary, disobedient, and disrespectful in his absence.

Eight months ago, when Bernadine’s nurse had unexpectedly married, Athena had volunteered to come to stay at Atherley Hall and temporarily act as Bernadine’s nurse and governess. Initially, Theran had thought it charitable of his wife’s stepsister and that it might do Bernadine well to have her aunt nearby.

That assessment had changed in the months since.

Every time he suggested it was time to search for a permanent replacement, Athena found one excuse or another to delay his hiring a nurse and governess. Of late, a possessive glint in her eye had made him wary. The change he’d observed in Bernadine in recent weeks concerned him the most. He’d have to be blind and addlepated to not notice his daughter didn’t like Athena.

Bernadine was too polite to say as much but shrank into herself whenever Athena spoke to her.

The question was, why?

He’d have that answer sooner rather than later.

In truth, it was far past time his sister-in-law returned home. People had already begun to speculate about their relationship. He’d heard a few whispers while in London recently, and Aston Terramier had told him bluntly of the ugly tattle. Rumors abounded that Theran and Athena were lovers, and marriage wasn’t far off for the pair.

Not a raindrop’s chance in a fire of that happening. If Theran had wanted to marry Athena, he’d have done so rather than wed her younger-by-five-years stepsister Imogene.

No, Athena must go. She should never have stayed this long.

He was a fool for allowing her to come when every instinct had screamed for him not to.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you, my dear,” Theran said when he was within hearing distance of Bernadine.

The woman accompanying his daughter released Bernadine’s hand.

Who was she, and why was his daughter with her?

Her simple, unadorned gown suggested she might be a companion to an elderly dame or perhaps governess to one of the families who’d also brought their children to the Mumfords’ annual house party.

“Papa!”

Bernadine’s face illuminated with a joyous smile. She dashed toward him, her tousled locks bouncing and pirouetting as her little legs churned.

Squatting to embrace her, Theran captured her in a warm hug. As he rose with her in his arms, he kissed her forehead. “I was worried about you, little rabbit.”

Cook had given Bernadine the nickname a couple of years ago because she loved to hop around, pretending to be a bunny. She now owned a fluffy black-and-white bunny of her very own named Princess Hoppy.

For what else would a little girl name her pet bunny?

Bernadine smiled up at him, her green, green eyes so jubilant, he couldn’t help but return the smile even as concern rooted around his mind.