He suddenly recalled the basket of tiny caramel-colored kittens he’d noticed several days before in the stables at Edgewood. Mina loved the old mouser in the Abbey’s kitchen. She should have a kitten of her own. He’d see to it when he was back home, before he left for Eton. That was the least he could do to make up for her brothers’ callous treatment.
* * *
Mina layon her stomach on the soft rug in front of the hearth in her bedchamber and carefully rubbed one chubby finger over the orange-and brown-striped fur along the belly of the kitten she’d named Cinnamon.
She’d never seen such glowing colors on a cat before. Her new pet made a loud purring noise that vibrated against Mina’s side where he curled next to her. They’d been inseparable since the basket had arrived via a footman from Edgewood House by carriage that morning after Mina’s brothers and Julian had left for the next term at Eton.
“Who allowed that filthy creature to invade the nursery?” Nurse’s pinched face loomed above Mina when she rolled quickly to her feet at the sound of the sharp condemnation of Cinnamon.
The kitten disappeared from view, held by the scruff of his neck by Nurse, who acted as though she’d trapped a rat in the nursery.
“You’re always ruining things for milady.” Nurse shook a finger in Mina’s face. “If only she’d done what I told her to do, none of this nonsense would have happened.” She swept out her arms to encompass both Mina and the kitten, who was now mewling pitifully from the corner where Nurse had dropped him.
Bridget quietly moved to pull a bell cord in the corner of the nursery. A short time later, when a footman tapped at the door, she opened it and shoved a piece of paper into his hand.
Mina watched out of the corner of her eye and prayed her maid wouldn’t leave her alone with Nurse.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you, young lady.” Nurse’s voice had grown louder until it sounded like the summer thunder that rolled around the hilltops surrounding the Abbey. Mina’s eyes widened and she tried to fix a stare on Nurse that would convince the elderly woman to leave her alone.
The slap that cracked across Mina’s cheek so stunned her, she thumped down hard onto the hearth rug.
The door to the nursery slammed open suddenly, and Lord Rumsford pushed through. He stood for a moment, staring from his daughter sprawled on the floor, to Nurse, to Bridget. Only a vein throbbing on his forehead revealed his anger. His voice was calm and low when he finally asked, “Could someone please tell me what all the shouting is about?”
The elderly Nurse sniffed and stared back at him out of watery eyes. But she had the good sense to remain silent.
He quirked an eyebrow at Bridget. “Isn’t it time for Mina’s tea?” he asked abruptly.
Bridget rushed to Mina’s side and pulled her to her feet. “Yes, milord. It’s well past time.” She kept moving, and the two of them, along with Cinnamon, didn’t stop until the nursery door shut behind them.
When Bridget returned Mina and the kitten to her bedchamber an hour later, Nurse was gone, the bed in her alcove stripped of linens. No sign of any of her belongings remained.
Mina was afraid to ask where the hateful old woman had gone. She was too grateful for the reprieve she supposed her papa had given her.
Bridget sat on the soft cushioned nursery settee and pulled Mina down with her. “Come, let me tell you another story about the mugwumps.”
Mina was still too upset to welcome storytelling. “What will happen now to Cinnamon?”
“Your father said he could stay, provided you make sure he’s fed and loved, and the two of us give him a bath every few weeks so that he doesn’t make you sick. And, he said we should let him roam the nursery at night, in case any mousies decide they want to move in.”
Mina giggled. “What if Cinnamon doesn’t like mice?”
“He will. Just wait. Not only will he earn his keep, he’ll be teaching you how to trap mousies before long.”
“Truly?” Mina’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
Bridget crossed her fingers and kissed them. “Truth.”
Mina’s heart leapt when her maid squeezed her hand as if they were partners in joy. No one had said anything about what had happened to Nurse, but Mina didn’t care.
It was enough that the mean old woman was gone. On one of the rare occasions that Mina’s mother had talked to her, she’d explained that Nurse had taken care of her when she was a child. Mina couldn’t help but wonder if that was why her mother always seemed unhappy. In Mina’s experience, Nurse made sure no one in her immediate circle waseverhappy.
* * *
Lord Rumsford leanedback in his ancient, stuffed leather desk chair in his study. He leveled a puzzled look at his wife, Viscountess Anne Tindall. She never ventured into his personal sanctum for anything. He’d given her everything she could possibly have hoped for over the years. What the hell was she up to now?
Since they rarely discussed anything, the extended silence was jarring. When she finally spoke, her voice rose so quickly into hysteria that he nearly fell out of his chair. “That child…” was all she managed to say, and kept repeating - “that child.”
Concerned, he rose and joined her on the settee next to the fireplace. He placed his hand over her shaking one. “Anne, please, calm yourself. What’s happened?”
