Page 25 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“She has grandchildren so there are already possible heirs for the estate. She needs to leave me to make my own decisions about marriage.” Jude responded.
“I remember your father, Jude,” Robert replied. “Your parents were closer than is usual for a marriage in theton. Theirs was a love match. I don’t think your mother has ever really recovered since he died in that carriage accident. She wants the same for you. I don’t think she will stop her efforts until you are settled and married.”
Jude banged his crystal glass on the table in frustration. “I know, Robert, and you are right. I just wish she would take a trip to Scarborough, take the waters at a spa in the north of the country. I’d benefit from a break as much as she would benefit from the bracing sea air.”
Robert laughed, “She means well. You know that.”
“Well, her latest scheme involves my meeting this Lady Caroline Ridlington. I don’t think we’ve met her before, which is strange, as I usually know most of the young ladies in society. Ah, well. If we make it back to Clairville, I’ll smile and simper at Lady Caroline and dance a quadrille or two with her.”
“Lady Caroline Ridlington? I don’t recognize that name.” mused Robert.
“Come to think of it, have you heard of Lady Audrey Rowe?” Jude asked, his eyes still intent on his mother’s letter.
“Hmm. Now that name does sound vaguely familiar.” Robert thought for a moment then continued. “Yes, I believe her father and yours were acquaintances many years ago. You won’t remember, but they visited Clairville. You might have been away at school, come to think of it. I only remember because I got into trouble with Mama for punching Audrey’s older brother. He seemed to take pleasure out of teasing his little sister.”
“What happened?” asked Jude, moving his attention away from the letter and looking up at Robert.
“From what I remember, we were walking around the lake, and it was muddy. I believe that Nurse Walters was with us, she may remember. The little girl, Audrey, slipped and her brother lunged toward her as if to save her, but the next thing we knew she was in the lake, floundering, unable to swim. She was just alittle dot of a girl and Barton, a much younger Barton, dived in to rescue her. While he was doing that, I challenged her brother to a duel.”
Jude laughed. “You were always more of a gentleman and a duke than me. You hit him?”
“I did, and he fell in the mud, and I got into terrible trouble! I swear, Jude, that the look of hatred he sent me was out of this world. There was something very wrong with that child. It’s funny, I’d forgotten all about Ethan Rowe and his sweet little sister.”
“You are a good judge of character, Robert. I don’t know Lord Cheshire, although I may have met him, but I have no recollection.” He took the decanter and poured them both another cognac. “It now appears possible I’ve met his sister though. Time will tell.”
Jude returned to the letters. Most were from his sisters, and he could read them in the morning, knowing they would just be giving news about the estate and begging him to return home soon.
He picked up the last three business letters. Which one first? He chose the note from Daniel. This was just to inform him that there were still no leads yet from France in tracing Sasha’s family, but enquiries were continuing.
The next envelope contained a card written with scented mauve ink which fell onto the table. Picking it up Jude sniffed, recognizing a spiced rose aroma, the card written with so many loops he could hardly decipher the words.
“Well, what a coincidence, it’s a note from none other than Lady Caroline Ridlington herself. She assures me that she is looking forward to her visit to Clairville and making my acquaintance. She thanks me for the invitation and tells me that my mother suggested she write, and Lady Caroline hopes that my quarantine wasn’t too arduous!”
He held the card up for Robert to see. “I suspect Mama has high hopes of a match with this Lady Caroline Ridlington.” He looked around the room and, seeing the candle flames spluttering as they burned toward the wick, Jude realized it was late.
“I think, Robert, it is time to retire.” Then, in a voice so quiet that Robert had to lean closer to hear, “What mother doesn’t realize is there is a pair of blue eyes that I’m struggling to get out of my mind, however much I try.”
Chapter 8
Audrey awoke one morning to a darkened room, feeling exhausted but much more aware of her surroundings. She slowly moved her head to look at the other side of the room.
The duke, sitting next to the bed, was reading a book, which he dropped to the floor when he heard her sighing.
“Lettie, Miss Banks, you’re awake,” he cried, taking her hand in his and looking as if he was about to embrace her. Her thoughts were clouded by confusion for a moment, wondering who Lettie was, before she remembered she was Lettie Banks. Then realizing that it was the duke, sitting by her bed and holding her hand.
Audrey tried to speak but found no voice as her throat was too dry. She smiled as she heard the duke calling, “Nurse, come quickly, she’s awake.”
Over the next hour, Audrey learned what had happened to her and how near to death she had been. Everyone else was well, including little Sasha.
Audrey knew she was well on the way to recovery when Sasha was allowed to visit the sickroom. In her excitement at seeing Audrey, Sasha reverted to speaking French.
“Bonjour, Mademoiselle Lettie. J'ai une fleur pour vous,” she chirped.
Audrey responded, without thinking, in French. “Bonjour, ma chère petite Sasha. Merci. Quelle belle fleur jaune.” Audrey sniffed the bright flower, picked from the garden. “Now we must speak English so that Nurse Walters and Mrs. Driscoll can understand us. Your mother spoke French?”
“Always, Mademoiselle, except with my Papa. I am remembering more now,” Sasha replied, twirling around the room in pirouettes. “I was worried you would die like Mama. We prayed every day, didn’t we, Mrs. Driscoll?”
“Indeed we did, Miss Sasha. We are so glad Miss Banks has recovered now.” Mrs. Driscoll, who was escorting Sasha, agreed.
