Page 26 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
Sitting forward, he framed his chin.First, I need to find out much more about her…I wonder if the Sisters at the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary would have a problem digging up her records.
* * *
Moses was being tormented. His last attempt to speak with Miss Robins had been deflected and he was left wondering what he could have done wrong. He hated the idea of forcing her into confessing but at this point, he felt he had no other options. He was going to make her tell him, but he was going to do it with respect.
A few moments ago, he had told his manservant to summon her to his study, “Just a matter of consultation, Hinds.”
The butler was gone and in that space of time he had taken out his chessboard and ivory pieces. On his feet, he went to the window, but while his physical eyes were staring out, his metaphorical ones were tuned inside himself.
Why am I doing this? By all means, a cordial relationship with her would be best as she is my employee. But… I find it hard to contemplate.
His attuned ears heard the approaching quiet footsteps of the butler’s shoes and the soft whisper of Miss Robins’ slippers.
“Miss Robins, Your Grace,” Hinds announced, and Moses turned around. The young woman looked wary and—he hated to even think it— scared. The emotions weren’t as much written on her face as they were announced by the line in her shoulders, the clenching of her fists at her sides, and the tightening of her jaw.
“Thank you, Hinds,” The Duke said to his butler, even as his eyes were on the governess. “You are dismissed.”
He barely registered the closing of the door as he examined Miss Robins fleetingly. She seemed well but her skin was slowly getting flushed.
Why I wonder…
“Miss Robins.” He spoke and gestured to the padded seat in the corner where a table laden with the arranged chessboard rested. “Please, sit.”
He spotted a small tightening of her jaw, but she acquiesced, “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Moses noted how her hands were twitching on her skirt and how ramrod straight her spine was. Both were a testament to how hard she was trying to contain her anxiety and sighed, “Miss Robins, how are you at chess?”
Deep blue eyes darted up and he knew that she had been expecting something other than such an innocuous question, “Are you asking me for a game, Your Grace?”
“So very exact, but yes, I am,” Moses replied, “Do you accept?”
Her eyes dipped to her lap, “I don’t think this is proper Your Grace.”
He sat in the chair next to her, “I don’t believe I asked you to become anything other than a companion in a game of chess, Miss Robins, you are a bit too suspicious.”
“Your Grace, I—”
“I am trying to navigate a way for you to be comfortable around me again and make this strained cordiality between us pass,” the Duke cut in. “I know I have not offended you, Miss Robins, but I am not going to pry as to why you are shying away from me. However, this game comes with a clause. If I lose, you are not obligated to tell me why you are avoiding me but if I win, I would like an answer to why you cannot look me in the eyes. Agreed?”
A corner of her bottom lip was captured between her teeth and she worried it in her deliberation, “I will play, Your Grace.”
The Duke’s smile was tight as he gestured to the board and her white pieces. “Your move, Miss Robins.”
Her eyes were down on the board and the lovely curve of her eyelashes fluttered before she grasped a pawn, that was in front of the White Queen and moved it two spaces forward.
Moses’ brows lifted as he canted his head to the side, picked up a black pawn and did the same, moving it two squares.
What is your play, Miss Robins?
The Duke’s eyes widened dramatically when she took her knight and placed in front of the bishop’s pawn.
What on earth?
“A bold move, Miss Robins.” Moses offered, as he moved another pawn a square forward to rest right beside the first one.
To his second surprise, she moved her second white knight in line with her first.
Moses was solidly perplexed.What is she aiming for by doing so?
