Читать книгу The Earl's Runaway Governess - Catherine Tinley, Catherine Tinley - Страница 15

Thankfully the fire in the parlour was high, and the room was actually warm. For the first time since arriving in Ledbury House a few hours ago Marianne felt warmth getting through to her bones. The excellent food had helped, of course—though the frosty atmosphere had somewhat spoiled her enjoyment of the best meal she had had since leaving home three days ago.

Frowning, she reflected on the difficult situation she had found herself in. Lady Kingswood and the Earl were at loggerheads, and likely to remain so. And Lady Cecily, she thought, was caught in the middle—loyal to her mama but disliking the conflict. Surely Marianne’s first duty was to her charge? It was not in Cecily’s interests for her to witness what might prove to be an ongoing open battle.

Marianne herself hated quarrels, and often acted as peacemaker between her friends, and even occasionally between the servants at home. She knew that sometimes even difficulties that seemed intractable could be resolved, and wondered if that might be the case here.

She also knew that if people were determined to hurt others—if they genuinely had no care for others—then walking away was the only safe option. Which was why she herself had left home. There was no misunderstanding