Janet Barton - A Nanny For Keeps

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Tyler left the breakfast room certain that his girls were in good hands. When he’d heard the conversation going on from his seat in the dining room, he hadn’t been able to resist peeking in a bit earlier than usual.

He’d told himself it was because he wanted to let Miss Marshall know he was pleased she’d taken the position and that was true, but in truth he’d been looking forward to her arrival almost as much as his girls were. Tate had told him she was there, of course, but that wasn’t the same as seeing her in his home with his daughters.

They’d been very animated, talking about what they’d like to read as he’d stood in the doorway before Lilly noticed him, and he couldn’t resist sitting at the table with them for a few minutes before he headed out.

He’d enjoyed the brief time, although it’d been hard to keep from glancing at Georgia Marshall. She’d looked quite lovely, dressed in green to match her eyes. But his mission wasn’t to think about how pretty the woman who’d stepped in to help him out was. It was to find out how the girls were taking to Miss Marshall, for they would be spending most of their time with her.

Tyler went to his study to finish off a letter to his family and one to his in-laws before grabbing his satchel for a meeting with Michael Heaton. He’d spoken to Mrs. Heaton’s son after church the day before to ask about leasing office space in his building. Michael had said he did have two offices available and would be glad to show them to him that morning.

Tate was waiting at the front door for him—the man seemed to know exactly when to be there every time Tyler came or went. “Have a good morning, sir.”

“You, too, Tate. I think Miss Marshall and the girls are going to get along fine. Please get these in the mail today.” Tyler handed the letters to his butler. “And tell Cook I should be home for luncheon. If I see I won’t be, I’ll telephone.”

“I’ll let her know, sir.”

“Very good.” Tyler hurried down the steps, and as it was such a nice day, he decided to walk to Michael’s office. It wasn’t too far away. He and his girls liked the Gramercy Park neighborhood a great deal, especially the park in the center of it that only residents had keys to. And now that things were beginning to bloom, they liked it even better. But Central Park was their favorite.

He hoped Miss Marshall would get them out of the house so they could get used to the city better. Nanny had been a little apprehensive about taking them out and about because she didn’t know her way around. At least that was the excuse she’d given, and he hadn’t really trusted the new nanny enough to give her permission to take them anywhere but to Gramercy Park.

The relief he felt that they had someone who had come so highly recommended was immense. He was sure Mrs. Heaton was a woman of high regard and had thought so since the first time he’d met her.

As he reached the office building on Third Avenue, he was impressed with the architecture and interior. Any client he had would be happy to come to an office here.

Michael had given him directions to his office and Tyler took the elevator to the top floor. Once there, a middle-aged receptionist showed him into Michael’s inner office. He stood up from his desk and held out his hand. “Sir Tyler, it’s good to see you again.”

Tyler shook his hand. “Mr. Heaton, thank you and the same to you.”

“Please call me Michael. Why don’t I show you the offices I have in mind for you and then we can come back and discuss the details, or talk about them over lunch, if you like it?”

“That sounds fine with me.” Actually, he’d like to get to know Michael Heaton better. If he was anything like his mother, Tyler would be glad to have him as a friend.

Michael led the way out of his office and took Tyler to a nice-sized office across the hall from his. It had a reception room and an office similar to Michael’s, but with only one window looking out instead of two corner windows. The size would work well, though.

“Of course, you’d be responsible for the furnishings,” Michael said. “I’ve found everyone has their own tastes in the matter of decoration.”

“Yes, well, I suppose that is true and I’d be glad to furnish it. From what I saw in yours, I think our tastes are quite alike.”

“Then I can tell you where to go to find similar items.”

They went to the next office space that had a larger window looking out onto Third Avenue. Tyler liked it a lot. “I like them both. But I think I’d like to take this one.”

“You’re sure?”

“I am ready to sign a lease on it.”

“Well, then, let me treat you to lunch and we’ll talk over the terms.”

“Might I borrow your telephone to call home and let them know I won’t be there for lunch?”

“Of course.” Michael pointed to the telephone on his desk. “I’ll go tell my receptionist we’ll be out for a while.”

Tyler picked up the receiver and asked the operator to connect him to his home. Tate answered the telephone, of course, and informed Tyler that he’d let Mrs. Biddle know, and that Miss Marshall and his daughters would be having lunch with Mrs. Heaton’s daughter.

“Oh, well, I hope Cook hasn’t gone to too much trouble just for me.”

“It will be fine, Sir Tyler. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Tate. I’ll see you later.”

Tyler hung up the receiver feeling a bit unsettled. But there was no reason to. He’d told Miss Marshall that she could plan their days. If having lunch with a friend was something she thought the girls might enjoy, there was no reason he should be concerned in any way.

Chapter Four

Tyler went out to the reception area, where Michael Heaton was waiting for him, and they took the elevator downstairs and then strode out onto the street. Tyler had found that New York City traffic was every bit as bad as London’s was, but he was beginning to learn his way around.

“I thought we’d walk to the restaurant I have in mind. It caters mostly to businessmen, and don’t tell the ladies, but I’ve found it’s nice to talk business there.” Michael grinned at him.

Tyler laughed. “I understand.”

They arrived at the restaurant and in a matter of minutes were seated and had their orders taken.

“Mother told me that Georgia Marshall was stepping in to help you out for a while,” Michael said.

“Yes, she is. You know her?”

“Oh, yes. Besides being a boarder at Heaton House, our families have been friends for a long time. Georgia will do her best for you.”

Tyler could feel himself relax at Michael’s words. “I believe she will. This transition hasn’t been easy on any of us and I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your mother’s help. The fact that she highly recommended Miss Marshall put my mind at ease. But still, I am concerned a bit. My girls ran the last nanny off with their pranks, and while I believe it was because they are still missing their mother and the nanny who went back to England, I’m not sure what I’ll do if they do the same to Miss Marshall.”

“I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. I am sorry for the loss of your wife. I’m sure Georgia will do her best to help your daughters. I wouldn’t be too concerned about them running her off. She’s taught school for several years now, and from what I’ve heard, she is very good with children.”

“Do you know why she came to New York?” Tyler hoped Michael wouldn’t think him too nosy, but he was curious.

“I don’t know for sure. My wife thinks it was from a broken heart.”

“Was she engaged?”

“No. But we all thought she’d marry her next-door neighbor. But he surprised us all—Georgia more than anyone, we suspect—and asked her sister to marry him instead. Georgia stayed in Ashland until after the wedding but, well, you can imagine how difficult it must have been for her.”