Page 29 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“Her bark is noisy, but there is no bite, Mrs. Driscoll,” Audrey reassured her. “Since my mother died, Mrs. Weston has been like a mother to me, and her tone was only due to concern for me.”
“Well, miss, it is good to see you up and about, laughing and happy,” Mrs. Driscoll said before turning to Franny. “And thank you for your apology, My Lady. It is unusual for a fine lady to think of others. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must retrieve Miss Sasha from the kitchen, or cook will be so distracted that there will be no dinner for His Grace.
Franny stayed to enjoy a cup of fragrant tea and talked of a ball she would be attending the following week. Audrey, feeling stronger, suggested a walk in the garden and they set off toward the pergola.
“You realize His Grace knows you are not this Miss Letitia Banks. What will you do? You can hardly work as a governess as Lady Audrey Rowe.”
“You’re right. I’ve never heard of a governess with a title. I think I’ll stay as Lettie for the time being. Sasha, the little girl I was telling you about, knows me as Lettie and it could be confusing for her if I changed my name. Although I don’t think I will be her governess for long.
“As I mentioned, it is likely that His Grace will dismiss me, now he knows I’ve lived here under false pretenses.” Audrey told Franny as an overwhelming feeling of sadness came over her at the idea of leaving her small charge. She hoped, against hope, that she could stay here.
Her mind drifted to the duke, knowing that leaving him would be leaving a part of her life. Her friend's voice brought her back into the present moment. A blackbird flew into a cherry tree in front of them and began to sing and she needed to remember there were always good things to see. She took a deep breath, enjoying the birdsong.
“And what of your brother? Your secret is out. I’m sorry for my part in it, but I had no idea you had run away and were living under a false identity.” Franny asked Audrey, and then continued before Audrey could reply, “There is something strange about this marriage he was coercing you into. If a young lady of quality is to be married then you would expect preparations, invitations, and a party. As one of your closest friends, I’d certainly expect to be invited.”
“It seemed clandestine to me,” agreed Audrey, stooping to pick a daisy peeping out from the path. “He pretty much imprisoned me and told me I would be married within days.”
“He must have obtained a special license. There was no time for banns to be called. It is most irregular,” Franny said thoughtfully.
“I could not and will not go through with this marriage,” Audrey was determined.
“Of course not. It would be reckless of him to pursue this plan further. Tell me, Audrey,” Franny smiled, her eyes twinkling, “sorry, erm Lettie… Did you ever meet your fiancé? I’m wondering if he knew this was a forced marriage.”
“I did, he came to take tea on one occasion. He seemed a nice enough man. I think he was around the same age as father, and he asked me about my life and interests, and told me about his country estate in Wiltshire. I think he was building a garden, transforming his park into a more modern style. I rather liked the conversation, but that doesn’t mean I want to marry him.”
“It is entirely possible he knew nothing about Ethan’s scheme,” added Franny. “I am surprised at your brother. There is an element of mental instability in his actions.”
Audrey felt a little tired but enjoyed strolling along the path with her friend. The blues and yellows of the spring flowers made the garden a delightful place to walk and talk. She turned around, holding her face up toward the sun, feeling its warmth melting her fear of Ethan. “I think you are too kind about Ethan, Franny.I suspect he is deranged, and there is nothing rational in his actions.” Audrey shuddered. “I know I will see him again and I dread that day.”
They walked back to the house in companionable silence, parting with promises to meet soon, and a repeat of Franny’s invitation that Audrey come and stay with her, if even for only a short while.
Sasha was waiting for Audrey in the green bedroom. Audrey felt pure happiness at seeing the way Sasha had set a little table with lace-trimmed linen and napkins. Cook had provided a range of savory and sweet pastries and jellies.
The little girl looked so proud when Audrey told her how special it looked, and to run and ask Mrs. Driscoll to come and join them for tea.
When Rosie came to tell Audrey that His Grace had asked her to join him in the library, she felt her heart sink.
How sad,thought Audrey,that we’ve had this little tea party and Sasha seems so happy and I will probably have to tell her that I am leaving.
“Thank you, Rosie, please tell him that I shall join him directly.”
Audrey stood wearily and reluctantly made her way to the door. So many times when she had been ill, she had longed to see him and hear him read more of the book by the lady. His voice and his face had given her comfort each day. Now she dreaded what he would say. He knew she had lied about her identity, and although it was for justifiable reasons, would he believe her explanation?
Chapter 9
Jude sat staring at the pile of documents in front of him, eyes blurring as he tried to read the words. Unable to concentrate, he took a piece of paper, scrunched it in his fist, and threw it across the room.
This felt like a mess, and he’d been warned by Daniel not to get involved with the child and governess. His choices had been limited and he’d made the best decisions he could in difficult circumstances.
Now he had been told that the woman he thought was Miss Letitia Banks was in fact a lady of quality, of theton. She was having an adventure, escaping from home and family, to play at being a governess in the north. Words failed him.
Underneath this seething anger, he suppressed memories of Miss Banks writhing in her illness, he holding her hand, willing her to fight the fever, and return to them. He remembered the brightness of her eyes as she played with Sasha, setting up activities to distract the child from her grief. All the time this had been a charade. He had been hosting one Lady Audrey Rowein his home. What his mother would say about this escapade he could only guess.
He banged the ink pen on the green baize blotter and black ink spattered across his shirt sleeve.
“Damnation!” He exclaimed. He felt he had a duty to continue caring for the child, and the sooner they were at Clairville the better. He could hand the child over to his mother, and Nurse Walters was more than competent to oversee Sasha’s needs.
Miss Lettie Banks was another matter. She must be returned to her family immediately. The foolish young woman had already risked ruin by gallivanting across the countryside under an alias.
