A Governess for the faithless Duke (Regency Romance) (Regency Tales Book 3) (2 page)

When Edmund Roland strode into the schoolroom after breakfast that first morning, a number of things immediately became abundantly clear to him. First and foremost was the fact that he had brought a seductress into his house to teach his nieces. Her back was turned when he walked in, as she aided Mary Anne with some task, but she turned as she heard his approach, and his heart seemed to stall in his chest before galloping off in a frenzied beat once again.

The young woman before him was a stunning beauty, with auburn hair that she had tamed into a severe bun at her nape. By the thickness of the bun, he could tell her hair was long, and by its shine he knew it would be lush, if he ever had the pleasure of seeing it unbound. He shook himself, aware that he was staring, because the second thing he noticed was her smile, which shone out like the sun at noon.

“Good morning,” she said politely, smiling at him as she curtsied. “You must be the Duke of Marbleton. It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.”

Her voice was sweet and pure, like the water flowing over the stones in the brook that bordered his gardens. And to hear it was to be stroked in all the places where a hand could not reach, and some where it could. He cleared his throat, trying to get his fuzzy brain to function, and returned her greeting, his own voice hoarse with his unexpected and apparently uncontrollable reaction to her.

“Good morning, Miss Williams,” he said. “Welcome to Marbleton House. I trust you had a good journey.”

“Oh, yes, thank you, Your Grace, it was a beautiful day for a drive in the country.” She smiled again, and his gut clenched.

Edmund shook himself inwardly. This sort of physical reaction was inappropriate, first because she was a stranger, and second because she was employed to work in his household. A woman of no rank would also be the last person he should show any interest in, no matter how devastatingly beautiful she was. He knew she was the older daughter of a vicar, and that she was said to be an accomplished young woman, despite her youth. She was fifteen years his junior, and at thirty-five, Edmund had met and mated with a few women both older and more experienced than this young slip of a girl. He owed it to himself and his family to remain aloof, though he would treat her well, particularly if she could manage to rein in his young charges and train them well.

Which brought him to the fourth thing that he noticed. He swept his gaze across the room. His nieces were quietly undertaking their lessons, obviously working hard on whatever it was that she had given them to do. The sight was both amusing and enchanting to him, and bode well for the new governess’s time in his household. It had been more than six months since the girls had arrived at Marbleton House, and in all that time, he had not managed to find a governess who seemed able to handle the challenge they presented. His brother had not been in the best of health before his death, and his nieces had been allowed to do as they pleased.

It seemed they had met their perfect match, and he was suddenly glad that he had not chosen the older woman whom he had been considering for the position. Aside from the fact that she had not been anywhere near as attractive as the beauty before him, he began to think that her age might have been a factor against her. Charlotte Williams was young enough to be able to remember what it was like to be his nieces’ age, and limber enough to keep up with their antics. Amused at the thought he turned back towards his new governess.

“I seem to have interrupted the children in their studies. Perhaps I should return at another time?”

Although it was the last thing he wanted to do, he made the offer, as it seemed the right thing to do under the circumstances. Happily, she did not send him away. Though her reasons for delaying his departure would have nothing to do with any desire to retain his company, and everything to do with her charges.

“Please, Your Grace, if you can spare a few moments,” she said, stepping away from the children to the other side of the large room, and indicating that she wished him to follow her, “I would like to request some supplies, and permission to arrange the girls’ days a little differently.”

“Please sit down, Miss Williams,” he said, realizing that she would remain standing unless invited to sit, even in her own schoolroom. Something about that made him smile.

“Now tell me how I can help.”

“Well, firstly, I think the girls need to rise earlier than they currently do each day. I would like to begin their lessons earlier, before a formal breakfast. If this revised arrangement meets your approval. I can ensure that they have a snack to tide them over until then, whilst we take walks or go riding. But I will need your permission to address the groom regarding the horses.”

Her face had taken on a deep concentration as she consulted a list she had apparently made since her arrival.

Her efficiency was both charming and admirable.

“I shall instruct him to be ready to do your bidding whenever you need him to do so. However, regarding the walks, Molly already takes the girls for a walk each afternoon, at my insistence.”

Charlotte smiled at him. “I understand, Your Grace, but my walks will be rather more of an educational rather than a constitutional nature. They will not last above half an hour, and the girls will have notepaper or drawing paper with them during these promenades.” Edmund almost laughed aloud at the way she brushed his objection aside and rolled right on with explaining her plans.

“With that in mind are there any areas of the estate that I should avoid?” Edmund had to admit that he liked her plan a lot. Indeed, he could almost guarantee that this young woman would cause major upheaval in the little girls’ lives, and he embraced the idea wholeheartedly. They needed a change, and he only hoped she would not find their resistance too exhausting, and he prayed they would not resist for long.

Still, he had to ask, “How do you propose to get the cooperation of my nieces in the matter of an earlier rising, Miss Williams?” He tried to inject sternness into his voice.

Her smile lit up her face again. “Rewards and punishments, Your Grace. They worked for me and my younger sister, and I’m sure they will work for your nieces.”

“Punishments?” he asked sharply. If she were the kind of woman to raise a hand to children, he would see her returned to her home at once, no matter how beautiful he found her.

As though she knew the path his thoughts had taken, she said quietly, “My parents never raised a hand to either me or my sister, Your Grace. Rest assured I have no intention of harming your nieces.”

The Duke realised then that he had hired a gem of a woman, even as he felt her withdrawing, building a wall of cool reserve between them. He had offended her with just one word, and reminded her of her station in his household. He knew she would never forget it from this moment on, and the thought that he had somehow spoiled something good that might have grown between them made him uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to apologise, but she forestalled him by continuing,

“Punishments may include anything from withholding a promised treat to extra lines, to an earlier than normal bedtime. And if you will permit it, it may also include not being allowed to visit with you as planned. The severity of the punishment will, of course, be dependent on the seriousness of the infraction. Rewards can include extra time working on a favourite task or activity, an extra half hour before bedtime, or a treat for work well done. Do these meet with your approval, Your Grace?”

Edmund felt the weight of her hurt like a blow, but nothing in her demeanour changed, except that she no longer smiled. He did not know how to correct what was clearly a grave insult, and he did not like how she made him feel like a chastened schoolboy. He resorted to cold aloofness, which had always served him well in the past when he was unsure of how to respond in an awkward situation.

“I am sure you know best what works, Miss Williams.”

He saw her recoil, and he relented. She meant no harm, and he had been wrong to suppose she would hurt his girls. He continued more gently.

“Please continue. You said that you needed supplies.”

She consulted her list again, and when she was done explaining why she needed the things on it, he asked if he could have it so that he could send for the items. Then she stood up, and he knew he was being dismissed. Torn between annoyance and amusement, he wished her a good morning and departed, leaving her to the two little girls who were still hard at work. Back in his study, he summoned Milton, and before he spoke of the matters needing their attention, he handed him the list.

“See to it that these items are procured and delivered to the schoolroom as soon as possible,” he told the butler.

“Miss Williams has need of them.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Milton replied, pocketing the list.

“Now to the household matters. My great aunt will be paying us a visit in a few weeks, and I will need her rooms to be aired and cleaned by then. And because she has a special diet, you and Mrs Thomson will need to sit with cook to decide on menus.”

“Rest assured Your Grace,” Milton said, “Lady Agnes’s visit will transpire without any incidents.  I will, of course, keep you informed of all the arrangements as they are made. Will there be a formal dinner party?”

“I rather think Great Aunt Agnes would enjoy a party when she gets here, so yes. She so rarely goes out, these days.”

“It will be arranged, Your Grace. I will provide an invite list based on the last gathering, for your perusal.”

“Yes, thank you, Milton. Oh, and add Miss Williams as well.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Edmund did not miss the look that came and went in his butler’s eyes, and he sighed inwardly. His reputation had become a source of some concern for his household staff, particularly the upper servants, and he knew he would have to tread very carefully where his governess was concerned. He would allow no breath of scandal to touch his house now that she and his girls were living under his roof.

Eliza Roland was a little spitfire, and over the next two weeks, Charlotte found herself having to hold onto her temper as the little girl tried her patience to its limit. She refused to get up at the required hour that first morning, and when Charlotte told her that her punishment was to miss the afternoon walk with Molly, so that she could do the work she had missed, she sulked and spat at her little sister, who was the epitome of childlike charm.

Her actions warranted further punishment, and she was sent to bed an hour earlier than her little sister. On another morning, she appeared when requested, but refused to go out for the ride Charlotte had planned. Charlotte had Molly sit with her in the schoolroom where she was required to write out the entire first two pages of the next story they were to read that day.

“In your best handwriting, mind, or you won’t be allowed to have tea with your uncle this afternoon,” she told the sulking child before leaving her alone with the nursemaid.

Later that afternoon, Eliza and Mary Anne enjoyed a gentle ride, during which Charlotte got the little girl to describe her old home, and to say what she liked about each place where she had lived. Afterwards, Charlotte gave her an apple to feed to the pony she was riding.

The little girl had picked a posy of wildflowers for her uncle, and Charlotte asked Mrs Thomson to ensure that it was in his study when the girl went down for tea with him later.

She took herself off for a walk during teatime, to stretch her legs, get a bit of exercise, and shake the cobwebs free. The girls were resting before dinner, and Charlotte had the remainder of the day off, until it was time to read to them before bed.

Rounding a corner in the gardens, she found herself on the other side of a tall hedge from members of the Duke’s house party, who had been in residence for the past three days. She had not seen nor heard any of them until this very moment, and the subject of their conversation was troubling to her.

“So Lady Henrietta, what do you think, now that you are in his home at last?” a very high-pitched voice asked the invisible Henrietta.

“What a lovely home he has! And what a handsome gentleman he is, to be sure!” Henrietta replied. “So elegant and charming!”

“Ah, but a bit of a rake, according to rumour,” a third voice chimed in. “A proper heart breaker!”

“Indeed,” the owner of the high-pitched voice said. “It is being bandied about that he has left two women at the altar!” She sounded as scandalised as Charlotte felt at that piece of gossip.

“How dreadful, if it is true, Miss Tillie!” exclaimed the third voice.

Tillie murmured her agreement, adding, “I cannot fathom how such a handsome man could be so cruel, can you, Lady Lydia?”

Lydia, the owner of the third voice, sadly concurred with Tillie’s opinion. Henrietta interjected.

“Even if that were true though, I’m sure he has changed. See how sociable he has been with us! I cannot think that he would behave so reprehensibly after showing such hospitality?”

“You are hoping for a better ending with him, I know,” Lydia said.

“And well you should,” Tillie added, “given how focused his attentions have been on you of late.”

“You are both already blessed with attentive husbands,” Henrietta said, “and I am glad to know that I am of interest to such an eligible bachelor. I can only imagine how wonderful it would feel to be named Duchess. I hope to secure a firmer promise from him before we leave on Saturday.”

The women moved away and Charlotte remained where she was, wondering at the gossip she had heard, appalled that the man who employed her might in fact be as cruel as they said. He had not appeared to be so during their brief meeting, but then, what did she know of men and their ways?

She tried to ignore the rush of heat to her cheeks at the thought of his handsome face and broad shoulders, recalling instead the way he had insulted her by assuming she would harm his precious charges. It would serve her best if she thought of him only in terms of an exacting employer, rather than as a man whose beauty dazzled her. She was merely a governess, and had no social standing in his household, nor any hope of attracting his attentions in an honourable way.  She had not come looking for more than the job she had been given, and she would do well to remember her place.

Another week passed in relative peace, with Eliza only throwing a tantrum once, when Charlotte insisted that she practice on the pianoforte longer than the usual time, as she was having difficulty with one of the exercises. The little girl pouted and fussed, and only when Charlotte threatened to have her put to bed earlier than her little sister did she relent and do as Charlotte bid. When she had done as instructed, and Charlotte had declared herself pleased with her work, Eliza asked, “Why are you so unkind to us?”

Charlotte looked up from the table she was tidying.

“In what way am I unkind?” she asked.

“You don’t let us do what we like,” the little girl replied, “You make us wake up early, and you give us so much to do.”

Charlotte smiled at her. “Do you not enjoy learning about the flowers in the garden?”

Eliza considered. “I suppose so,” she muttered grudgingly.

“And do you not like the horse rides to the brook? Or the views of the sun rising? Do you not enjoy the pretty colours? And do you not like to paint them?”

Eliza hung her head, keeping a stubborn silence.

“Why do you think you should enjoy these things without having to give something in return? Do you not wish to become an accomplished young lady?”

The child looked up. “What does that mean?” she inquired suspiciously.

“Well, it means you will be able to have conversations with your uncle about important matters. You will be able to entertain his guests with your beautiful playing. You will be able to keep your seat on the horse when you go riding with him and his guests. All of these things are considered important for a young woman to have if she is to marry well.”

“Why are you not married, then? Are you not an accomplished woman?”

It was a logical question, and though it cut Charlotte to the quick, it also reinforce her status in the household. She tamped down her pain and calmly replied, “You and I are not of the same station in life. No doubt, you will have many eligible young men asking to address you. I do not have any such prospects, because I am a humble vicar’s daughter.”

“Does that make you sad?” the child wanted to know, searching her face with curious eyes.

“I live each day as it comes to me, and try to be happy with what I have,” Charlotte answered, knowing she could not respond in any other way. “Now, go and get ready for tea. Your uncle is expecting you.”

She ushered the little girl out of the room and finished tidying up, refusing to let the painful conversation make her gloomy.

Mrs Thomson had invited her to take tea that afternoon and she was grateful for the respite, and truth be told, she was also grateful for the company. The life of a governess was a lonely one, to be sure, with only the children for company. Even the nursemaid had a place amongst the servants that the governess did not share. Charlotte was grateful to the housekeeper for taking pity on her, especially during these first trying days, when Eliza was making life so much harder, both for herself and her tutor. The conversation she had just had, however, seemed to indicate that the days of tantrums might be over. But given the way it had ended, Charlotte needed a reprieve from her unhappy thoughts.

As she sat down to tea with the housekeeper, Charlotte again expressed her appreciation.

“I am truly grateful to you, Mrs Thomson, for sharing your tea and your time with me,” she said with a smile.

“Oh, think nothing of it, my dear. I’m sure your mother will be happy to know you’ve someone looking out for you here.”

Mrs Thomson bustled about getting the tray ready, and when she at last sat down, she presided over the table like a grand lady.

“So, how are you finding the children?” she asked, pouring tea into a delicate teacup and handing it to Charlotte.

“Mary Anne is quite a pleasant child, whilst Eliza has been most difficult,” Charlotte replied. “But I think we have turned a corner, her and I. I don’t think she will be quite such a misery moving forward.” She sipped her tea and sighed appreciatively. “This is delicious, Mrs Thomson,” she exclaimed.

“Do, help yourself to a sandwich and scones,” Mrs Thomson said, sipping her own tea. “Mr Milton would have joined us today, but he has a meeting with the male staff. We’re to have a house party in a week, when the Duke’s Great Aunt visits.”

“I’m sure the entire household will be very busy,” Charlotte said. “I shall do my best to keep the children away as much as possible.” She paused, a cucumber sandwich halfway to her lips. “Perhaps I should ask the Duke what his wish is in the matter.”

The housekeeper turned a sharp gaze on her young guest, and after a moment, seemingly satisfied by what she saw on the young woman’s face, she said, “Perhaps that would be best. He might wish to introduce his nieces to his Great Aunt, though I cannot imagine Her Ladyship caring too much for fidgeting children.”

They spoke of generalities thereafter, and Mrs Thomson informed her that there was to be a fair in the village the following Saturday, should she wish to go with the staff for the day. Charlotte was thrilled both by the invitation and the prospect of getting away from the schoolroom for a day. She accepted enthusiastically, and then thought of what she had to wear. She broached the subject with her hostess.

“I only have three serviceable gowns, and I cannot afford to ruin any one of them in a day of fun,” she said, her brow furrowed.

“Have you not yet ordered any material to make yourself a new gown?” Mrs Thomson queried with a frown.

“I cannot afford it,” she admitted. “It is too soon, and I have not as yet received a wage for my labour.”

She didn’t wish to appear to be complaining, but the thought of how she was to keep herself looking presentable without the means to purchase fabric for that purpose had crossed her mind before. She just had not known how to broach the subject with the Duke, who had not returned to the schoolroom since his first visit.

“You should speak to His Grace, especially as he expects you to be present at dinner when his Great Aunt is here. I’m sure he will provide the necessary funds for you to be prepared. Perhaps you should bring this matter to his attention immediately after tea?”

Charlotte hesitated. “I don’t wish to intrude on His Grace’s time, Mrs Thomson, and he has not summoned me.”

“Don’t be silly, girl! If you can handle Eliza, you can find the courage to approach His Grace.”

When Charlotte looked at her, scandalised by the comparison she made, Mrs Thomson added, “I have known the Duke both as a boy and a man. He is a much nicer gentleman than some may suppose.”

Still, Charlotte did not visit the Duke after tea. Instead, she went to her room and looked over her wardrobe. She concluded that in a pinch she could wear the grey to town for the fair. It was the oldest of her gowns, and should she be able to purchase cloth for a new one, it would replace the grey. Satisfied with her decision, she settled into the armchair she had placed by the window and let her gaze wander over the view. Recalling the conversation she had heard among the three women in the garden, she wondered who was more fair in their judgment of the Duke. Was he really the rakish gentleman that they made him out to be, or was he a kinder man? And in the end, did it matter? She had no hope of any association with him, whatever his reputation might be, however well- or ill-earned it was.

A knock interrupted her thoughts and she went to see who it was. A housemaid had brought her a letter.

“Thank you, Alice,” she said, smiling at the girl, who nodded and withdrew.

The missive was from her sister Amelia. She opened it with trembling fingers.

My dearest sister,

We were all pleased to receive your letter, and are heartened that you are in good spirits and good health. Mama and Papa were gloomy until your letter came, and now they are most lively and cheerful. I have also been immensely cheered by your words.

We are all certain that, despite the challenges that Eliza presents, you will find a way to overcome them. You always were the resourceful one, Charlie.

Aunt Anne and I will be traveling to Elgin Bottom for a few days to pay you a visit. We will arrive in a week’s time, and hope that you will be able to visit with us then. Mama is sending me with a bolt of cloth for you to make a new gown. She had been saving it for you, and imagines that you will need it eventually. Papa will send you another of the books you love to read from his shelf. And I have finished the embroidery that you started, I shall bring it for you to see, as well as some new yarn for you to work on.

We will be residing at the Bird and Bottle Inn in Elgin Bottom, and hope you will be able to visit with us when we arrive. I am most excited to see you again, sister dear, and look forward to all your news.

Yours sincerely,

Amelia

Charlotte could not keep the happy smile off her face. She could put off meeting with the Duke about her wages a little longer, and she would have the pleasure of enjoying the fair not just with her newfound friend Mrs Thomson, but also with her family.