The Letter by Sandra Owens Page A

seeking ladies. Thus his secretary’s presence here today.
    Michael snorted. “More like you thought to ride to my rescue. But that discussion is for later. I take it this is the lady’s maid I requested?” He nodded at the young woman sitting in front of his desk.
    “Yes, my lord. This is Fanny and she comes with excellent references.”
    The woman stood and curtseyed. “My lord.”
    She looked to be in her mid-twenties, and though plain of face, her eyes were bright and alert. If Johnston had found her, then she was suitable.
    “Where are Hansen and the tutor I asked for?”
    “They will arrive tomorrow. The tutor, Mr. Denton, needed an extra day to take care of his affairs, so your valet stayed behind to escort him here. Mr. Denton also comes with excellent references, having recently been tutor to the Duke of Cordale’s sons.”
    “Why is he willing to leave such a highly placed position?”
    “The youngest son started Eton this week.”
    “Very good. Please keep Fanny company for a few minutes until I return.”
    Michael went upstairs and knocked on Diana’s door. It was opened by Jamie.
    “Ah, good, you are here, also. I need to talk to you and your mother for a few minutes.” He looked over Jamie’s head to where she sat on the window seat. “As we have a chaperone in young Jamie here, may I come in for a few minutes?”
    She nodded. Jamie began recounting the size of the fish he had caught. Michael took the opportunity to look around the room. Decorated in cheery greens and yellows, it was a room his young bride-to-be would have loved. Somehow, it no longer seemed to suit her. He made a mental note to ask if she would like to redecorate it. No, she wouldn’t be here long enough for it to matter.
    He pulled a chair near her and sat down. “Come here, Jamie.”
    An apprehensive look came over her face and Jamie, obviously taking his cue from his mother, crawled onto the window seat next to her. He scowled. Michael recognized that look. It was one he had seen in his mirror many times. The boy has my scowl, he thought with delight. Was that proof of anything?
    “No need to make such a fierce face, lad. I am here to bring you some interesting news.”
    Jamie’s frown lifted into a smile. “A surprise?”
    “I suppose so. It concerns your education. Tomorrow a Mr. Denton will be arriving and he is to be your tutor.”
    “I have never had a tutor before. Will I like it?”
    “If you are anything like me as a boy, sometimes you will and sometimes you won’t. He will teach you all sorts of interesting things and some things you won’t find so interesting. But you are a baron and if you are to be a good one, they are things you need to learn.”
    “What sorts of things?”
    “Mathematics, science, Latin, and so on.” He waited while Jamie considered this new change.
    “I think I would like to learn mathematics and science, but I’m not sure about the Latin.”
    “That is just how I felt about it, but if you are to go to Eton, then Latin is a must.”
    At the mention of Eton, a look of panic entered Diana’s eyes.
    “Eton is years away,” he said softly. Three to be exact, but he kept that information to himself.
    “I know,” she said. “It is only that he is growing up too fast.”
    At least she had been there for the first ten years of her son’s life. If Jamie was his, Michael thought he might be very jealous of her for that.
    He glanced at her. “I have more news, but this time it is for your mother.”
    “Is she getting a tutor like me?” Jamie asked, causing Michael to chuckle.
    “No, but she is getting a lady’s maid.”
    “Oh. Then may I go to my room? I want to practice shooting my marbles.”
    “Is that all right with you, Diana?”
    ****
    No, it wasn’t all right with her. She didn’t want to be alone with Michael, but didn’t feel like she could say so after what he had just done for her son. She gave Jamie a kiss and sent him off, then waited for Michael to