Page 12 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
The thick drapes were drawn. A soft fire in the hearth caused warmth to permeate through the richly decorated room. With his eyes skipping over the luxurious furniture and imported rugs, Peregrine’s view landed on his daughter who was sitting up in her wide bed.
She is inordinately pale.
“Lavinia.” He spoke as he took the conveniently placed seat at her bedside. “How are you, my darling?”
Her eyes slanted to him, “As well as you can see, Father.”
And her words are hollow, too.
Reaching out, he took her slight hand and folded his other over it, “Take heart, my child, this spell of disillusion will pass. I have just come from Strasbourgand brought my wonderful grandchildren gifts. I was disheartened to not see your radiant smile receive me, but I understand.”
“Do you, Father?” Lavinia said quietly, “I feel…empty and tired, so tired, almost every day.”
“The spell will pass,” Peregrine pressed, as he tried to ignore the accusation underlying her words. “I believe it and you must do so, as well. Let me tell you about my travels and mayhap you will be invigorated to see the world soon.”
Not minding his daughter’s silence, the Earl launched into a monologue, detailing his trip to the awe-inspiringÉglise Saint-Thomasand seeing the very baroque organ the master Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarthad played on. He told her of the peaceful walks he took, strolling through theParc de la Citadelle, a wonderful green built around the impressive remains of the 17th-centuryfortress.
“The white wines from Alsaceregion are especially crisp and delicious, my dear.”
The Earl went on speaking about his travels and remarking on a notable person or another and kept on until he slipped into speaking about arriving at the Duke’s house. So caught up in his thoughts, he was not aware he started disparaging the governess, seeing the spectacle in the hallway and despising how close the Duke was to her after.
It was only when her hand fell from his grip that he realized his daughter was asleep. Sighing, Peregrine levered himself up and kissed her on her forehead.
She did not hear a word I said.Peregrine sighed. “Goodnight, Lavinia.”
Walking out of the room, he paused to cast a look over his shoulder and sigh, “I will do what I can to help you, my daughter.”
* * *
The door closed, and the Duchess stayed in her sleeping position until she was sure her father was gone. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared at the flickering fire in the hearth not too far from her.
In truth, she had not fallen asleep but tired and exasperated with her father’s mumblings had feigned it. However, during his monologue, she had picked out an interesting nugget.
“The Governess, you say…” the Duchess said quietly to herself. “I do hope that you have enjoyed your time with her, Moses…because from now on, it has ended.”
Chapter 6
The package that had just been received from London was sitting on the Duke’s desk innocently, but he was torn.
When he had seen the governess’ sketchbook—a homemade amalgamation of bounded cover and few leaves made of reused paper, that held glorious art—he had felt appalled that such wonderful art was on such a deplorable medium. Instantly, he had decided on what to give her. But his spur of the moment decision was now bringing him some doubts.
Is what I am prepared to do proper?
In the package on his desk was a sketchbook bound in leather with a metal clasp, containing thirty crisp leaves, and beside it was a set of Conté crayons.
A part of him did not feel assured that he was doing the right thing. If misconstrued, it could be taken as some form of—and here the Duke hesitated to even think of it—courtship. Then again, who could infer that by offering such a simple gift, born from a grateful heart, one was doing something dishonorable?
What Dukes went out of their way to give gifts to their servants?
He could not fathom any answer, no matter how long he mulled over it. These were the times he wanted his friend Edward, the Earl of Dalton’s sage advice, but sadly, the man was on the continent with his wife.
Well, it’s already here,Moses reasoned as the time slipped by.There is no reason to keep holding it back.
“Your Grace?” Hinds said as he appeared in the doorway, “You have need of my assistance?”
“Yes,” he cleared his throat while holding up the parcel, “I have acquired a gift of appreciation for Miss Robins. Please confer it and my respects to her this morning.”
The butler’s eyebrows lifted almost imperceptibly but not a word came from him, and for that the Duke was grateful. “It will be done, Your Grace.”
