Page 5 of His Godsent Duchess
Christina felt a rush of anger and despair. Her hands clenched the muslin of her frock as she struggled to contain her emotions. She glanced at Juliette and Joanna, who looked equally shocked and sympathetic. The warmth and laughter of moments before had been obliterated, replaced by a suffocating tension.
Her father turned to leave but then jumped suddenly, muttering something incoherent. At his feet sat Carrot, looking up at him as though expecting something. "Why have you not given away this cursed creature?"
Christina's heart clenched. "He is only a kitten, Father, and entirely harmless." She reached down to scoop Carrot up when he came to her, holding him protectively against her chest.
Her father clapped his hands together and grinned humorlessly. "Well, then I should thank the cat for making my decision to marry you off easier. Perhaps you will learn how a proper lady ought to behave when you have your own home to manage." With that, he left the room. His footsteps echoed down the hallway, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake.
Christina's breath caught, and the room seemed to spin as she tried to grapple with the consequences of his decree. Her vision wavered, and she clutched the edge of the sofa for support. Joanna moved to sit on the arm of her sofa and took Christina's trembling hand.
Fighting back tears, she stared at the door her father had just passed through. "I cannot marry the Duke," she whispered. Then louder, shaking her head emphatically, she repeated, "I cannot and willnotmarry the Duke!"
"He is not entirely disagreeable, Christina." Joanna's voice was gentle. She squeezed Christina's hand, offering a small measure of comfort.
Christina felt a surge of frustration and disbelief. "Not entirely disagreeable? I have seen him at balls. He is cold and brooding and harsh and…" Words failed her, and she hit the pillow on her lap in sheer exasperation.
Juliette added softly, "Christina, you might find he is different if you get to know him."
Christina turned to her friend, her eyes wide with desperation. "Were you happy when you first married your husband?"
Joanna interjected, "That is the point. Perhaps you will grow fond of him after you have married him."
Christina stared at her friends. "Who are you ladies? What has love done to you?" she asked.
They moved closer, wrapping their arms around her. "We are still your dearest friends," Juliette murmured. Christina felt their warmth, but the dread of her impending marriage loomed over her. The notion of being bound to a man she barely knew, one who seemed so unapproachable, was impossible to fathom.
She glanced around the room, her mind racing with plans of escape, imagining the freedom beyond these walls.
"Once my foot is healed, I will run away," she swore. Her future appeared to have been decided in a heartbeat, but Christina was not going to allow it to unfold thusly without her permission.
Three
"Awise man does at once what a fool does finally."The new governess's' voice rang through the hallway as Victor approached the schoolroom.
Miss Peversly, who had been with them for four days, had already begun to impose her strict regimen on the household. Perhaps teaching the children Machiavelli's wise words would do them some good. He stood in the schoolroom doorway, and his brows rose in surprise when he saw all four children diligently writing, while Miss Peversly dictated to them. The sight was almost too good to be true.
Miss Peversly paused in her instruction and curtsied upon noticing him. He thought her movements were slightly exaggerated, but he did not dwell on them. Victor gestured for her to continue, not wanting to disrupt the rare quiet moment. His daughters were focused, their heads bent over their papers, the only sound the scratching of quills.
He entered the room and watched as the lesson concluded. "Lady Agnes, allow the ink to dry before closing your book," the governess instructed. Agnes cast a doleful look in his direction, seeking sympathy, but he remained impassive.
Cassidy rose from her chair, her face brightening and eyes gleaming. "May we take a short walk now that we have finished our lesson, Miss Peversly?"
"No, you may not," the governess replied, her face devoid of expression.
Amelia's brows furrowed, and she exchanged a look with Cassidy before asking, "Why not?"
Miss Peversly was quiet for a moment, her dark eyes focused on the girls until they squirmed. "The sun is not favorable for a lady's complexion. Now, put away your books and leave the room in an orderly manner."
Pouting, Agnes carefully inspected her book to ensure the ink had dried. Victor nodded in approval. The girls quietly placed their books on the shelf and filed out of the room. Victor could scarcely believe that days ago, they would be running, tumbling over one another.
Miss Peversly curtsied to him, and he gave her an approving nod before she followed the children out. Satisfied with her strictness, he felt some certainty that the governess might indeed succeed in straightening his daughters. He had just turned to leave the schoolroom when a crash sounded from the direction of the children's room. Hurrying toward the noise, he found Amelia standing over a vase shattered on the paraquet, her face pale with guilt.
Miss Peversly was already reprimanding her. She turned to Victor and explained, "Lady Amelia picked up the vase from the mantle to replace the flowers with fresh ones."
Victor remained silent, and Amelia glanced at him, her eyes pleading for understanding. He did not relent. This was necessary for their benefit, and they will understand one day.
Miss Peversly continued, "For allowing your father to witness such carelessness, you will write a letter to him, apologizing and promising to be proper."
Victor considered this, nodding in agreement. It was a good idea, one that would teach the girls' manners and improve their writing. "Step away from the broken pieces, Amelia," he said before turning and leaving.
