Page 37 of The Governess of My Heart
“You must visit Pemberley, Miss Smith. Please do bring her,” she pleaded to Lady Martha.
“I shall,” Lady Martha said, admiring their blossoming friendship.
As Georgiana left, they received a letter from Lord Ashton.
“So finally, they are returning. They will be here in a couple of days,” Lady Martha said to Elizabeth and the children.
“Papa is coming back, Emily,” Edmund cried with joy.
As much as Elizabeth was happy for the children, she felt nervous about meeting the couple.
She did not know why, but she realized that she internally feared being in the company of a male in the household. The memory of the incident in Mr. Brooks’s house haunted her.
No, Elizabeth. Not all men are like Mr. Dean.
But she knew there were men like him everywhere.
Yes! Especially those who ruin innocent women like my mother.
She said to herself, awaiting the return of thenewlyweds.
Chapter 13
Elizabeth sat with the children in the parlor, and Lord Ashton and Lady Isabella were to arrive that morning. She could sense the excitement in the children, but Elizabeth felt anxious about the meeting.
Lady Martha smiled at her with assurance, sensing her discomfort. When the couple arrived, the children threw themselves into their father’s arms, and Elizabeth stood silently watching the reunion. Lord Ashton was a tall, lean man. At the moment, his attention was on his children, and he seemed oblivious to everything else.
Elizabeth observed his wife’s face. There was an evident scowl on her face on seeing the bond between her husband and the children. When she realized Elizabeth’s eyes were on her, she immediately corrected her expression and looked at her mother-in-law.
“Now, children, allow me to greet my son,” Lady Martha cried.
“I hope you had a pleasant trip,” she said, looking lovingly at her him.
“We did. But we have missed you all so very much,” Lady Isabella said with feeling.
“Let me introduce you to our new governess,” Lady Martha said, and Elizabeth stepped forward.
“It is so good to have you at Ashton Park, Miss Smith. My mother has nothing but praise for you,” Lord Ashton said with enthusiasm.
Elizabeth immediately realized he was not the sort of man she had imagined him to be. There was something innocent andpleasant about his appearance that had a striking resemblance to his mother.
When introduced, Lady Isabella said nothing to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth could immediately sense her hostility. She formally addressed the children and shook their hands.
“I am tired and wish to rest,” she said to her husband.
“Oh! You must, indeed. I will accompany you upstairs,” her husband said with concern.
“Philip, Edmund, and Emily have been impatiently waiting to show some of their work. I think you can spare a moment and give them your feedback,” his mother said firmly.
Elizabeth realized that Lord Ashton was the type who could be easily persuaded.
“Yes! I will,” he said, glancing remorsefully at his wife.
If at all his wife was displeased, she hid it well. She left them and headed upstairs. The rest of the party left for the study room.
Lord Ashton was impressed with his children’s progress in a month.
“This is incredible. They have learned to write the alphabet. I remember Emily had a lot of difficulty with them. Thank you, Miss Smith.”
