Steam & Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape

cup, but Caroline could tell his regard never wavered from her. “Forgive me, miss, but you’re significantly younger than I’d expect in a governess.” His dark brows drew together and his full lips pursed. “Are you certain you’re capable of managing four unruly children?”
    Caroline allowed herself a hint of a smile. So the interview had commenced. “I’ve yet to meet the children I cannot teach, provided their parents or guardians allow me to do so.”
    “ Allow you to do so? Precisely what do you mean by that?” His voice, never warm, had grown colder.
    After a fortifying sip of the marvelous tea, she took as deep a breath as her corset would permit, cursing herself for the vanity of having laced it rather tighter than usual. “In some households, the governess is permitted to administer neither punishment nor reward. I find that it is difficult to manage children without those tools.”
    His spine stiffened even further. “What sort of punishments do you recommend?”
    Here she was on comfortable ground. “Generally one that fits the crime. If one of the children does something to hurt another, the punishment might be to assist the one who was hurt with all of their chores for the rest of the day. If the offense was insulting someone, a written letter of apology might be in order, or a public admission of disgrace, whichever is more fitting. Loss of privileges can also be effective—for example, staying at home and working while the others visit the park.”
    “Never physical punishment?” There was no indication in his demeanor to indicate whether he approved or disapproved of the examples she’d given, though, of course, the common wisdom was, “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” with which Caroline fervently disagreed.
    Choosing her words carefully, she answered, “I have, upon occasion, physically restrained a child. There was a toddler determined to run into traffic, and another boy intent on beating his younger brother. Both of us sustained some mild bruising that time, though I never actually struck him. I realize my views are radical ones, but I hold them sacrosanct. I have walked away from employers who insisted upon corporal punishment, and will doubtless do so again during the course of my career.”
    Sir Merrick tipped his head and let out his breath. “Fine. Have you ever taught…gifted children?”
    “Gifted in what way?” She bit her lower lip and looked longingly at a lemon tart on the tea tray. “I’m no musical virtuoso, so couldn’t teach anything more advanced than the basics. The same is true of my ability with pencil or paint. My Greek, Latin, French and history are excellent, and my skill with mathematics and the sciences should be adequate for most young children.”
    “I believe my nephew is speaking of supernatural gifts.” Miss Hadrian heaped a plate with food and handed it to Caroline. “I know we’ve discussed such things in the reading circle and you’ve professed an open mind upon the subject.”
    Caroline lifted an eyebrow as she swallowed a bit of watercress and cucumber sandwich, savoring every morsel. She used the pause to compose her reply. “An open mind, yes. I do not profess to have any experience or expertise in the matter.” And this was the excuse she’d been looking for. There was no way she could work in a household headed by a man as virile and overwhelming to the senses as Sir Merrick, as much as she liked his aunt. “I’m so sorry, but clearly I’m not the governess you require. Thank you very, very much for considering me, and for the lovely tea.”
    Just as she set her empty cup back on the tea tray, the door burst open, and what sounded like a herd of rhinoceros lumbered into the room. There were five, she noted as the running shapes sorted themselves into individual children, plus a rather remarkable collection of mechanical pets—a dog, a monkey and a bird. A cup smashed and suddenly she understood the lack of ornamentation in