Page 56 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
Her mind was flooded with delight and his eyes lit up upon seeing her. “Caroline.”
The lovely sigh in his words spoke it all and she neared him. “Good morning. I do not recall ever seeing you in such dandy clothes, Moses. How long have you been hiding that wonderful coat?”
Light fingertips brushed over the arch of her cheek and the feel of his cool touch left a tingling warmth in their wake. For all the casualness of the touch, it was intimate. “I have not had a chance to unearth these old clothes for years. The world was bleak to me and anything with color would have hurt my eyes until just recently, I began to see what I had missed.”
The insinuation that she had brought life back into him was not missed and it came with a flush of warmth Caroline had never felt before. “Dare I say that I am flattered?”
“You may,” the Duke smiled and gestured for her to sit, “What brings you by?”
Sitting with her hands closed over her lap, Caroline spoke, “I had an interesting conversation with Lord Hayward just moments ago. He is frankly terrified of being sent to Eton, Moses.”
Green eyes closed tightly and for once Caroline could see the stress lines in the corner of his eyes, “I was afraid this would happen. I kept wondering if I had made the right decision to let him stay home while his mother was ill…but now…”
She reached out and placed a hand on his knee, “You did what was best. If he had gone away to school in that state of mind you would have lost him.”
Her hand was taken and firm lips were pressed to the back of it, “I know, but it still seems as I have disadvantaged him in some way.”
“I assure you, you have not,” Caroline replied while softly pulling her hand away, “However, I have had a thought. Mayhap you can take him to see Eton one day and introduce him to the masters. I know what it is to fear what you have never seen before. If he gets a chance to experience it once he might not be too afraid the next time.”
A thoughtful look possessed the Duke’s face, “That is an intriguing idea that has some wonderful merit. Perhaps some familiarity with the institution would calm his fears.”
“And you two would bond over the experience,” Caroline added, glad that her suggestion had been received with good grace. She was about to bid her goodbyes and leave when a particular look from the Duke kept her trapped in her seat.
Her hand was taken a second time, “And what about you, Caroline? Mr. Collins reported to me that on your last visit to town you had a decided air of fright. What worried you?”
Oh no! I cannot tell him yet. Even I am not sure if what I saw was real.
Covering his hand with her other, she smiled as easily as she could, hoping the gentle gesture would mask the panicked thuds of her heart. “It is nothing, Moses. I had thought I saw a ruffian, but I was mistaken. Please do not worry.”
From the look in his eyes, she knew he wasn’t comforted but he nodded. “Promise me, if anything or anyone does anything to hurt you, you will tell me.”
“I hardly think anyone would have any interest in harming a lowly governess,” she tried to deflect with a form of gaiety but Moses’ eyebrows only lowered.
With an internal sigh, Caroline relented, “I will tell you if anything at all happens…I promise.”
A rough thumb ran over the back of her hand before it was let go and Caroline curtseyed, “Good day, Moses.”
Hurrying back to her schoolroom Caroline did not even pause to wonderHow is it that he can see right through me at times?
* * *
The smell of fresh hay, dust motes, leather harnesses, and horseflesh was familiar to Moses as he cared for Pegasus. The coal black hide of the horse was shining from the smooth brushes he administered to the animal.
“I think she is keeping something from me,” Moses said, as he ran a broad stroke over the horse’s shoulder. “In fact, I know she is keeping something from me.”
Over his shoulder, another horse whinnied and Pegasus shook his head, flashing his glorious mane into Moses’ eyes.
“It is good for you to know what this kind of love is,” Moses spoke, “I do not know what is hurting her, but I cannot and will not push. She is a smart woman and I know she will confide in me when she’s ready.”
Pegasus snuffled a bit, butting his nose against Moses’ shoulder when he stopped brushing.
The Duke chuckled, “I say that you agree with me. Let’s get you saddled and ready for a run, shall we?”
* * *
The anxiety in Albion’s mind was growing to the breaking point when his butler knocked on his door. The order to enter was more barked than spoken and the Baron was out of his seat. When his butler had told him that he would get the news the next day, Albion had not imagined he would get the news two days later. He felt pressed to know who he was dealing with.
“My Lord, I do apolo—”
