Page 31 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
Jude reached to pour another cognac and gestured for Robert to sit, where Lady Audrey had sat, just over an hour before. Jude pushed that picture out of his thoughts.
“The facts speak for themselves Robert. Lady Audrey Rowe is living here as an imposter. It seems she was absconding from home and traveling north to be a governess. Who knows why.”
“Have you asked her?” The quiet question caused Jude to stop and think.
“No, I just assumed…”
“Look, Jude, all I can say is that if I had to choose between the word of Lord Cheshire or his sister then I know which I would choose.”
“You really don’t like Lord Cheshire, do you?” queried Jude.
“He may have changed, but do leopards change their spots? I think not. There was a streak of cruelty in the child, and I’ve heard nothing good of the man.”
Jude stayed staring into the fire, long into the night. Robert was right. Why hadn’t he asked Miss Banks her reasons? Why had he allowed his anger to overcome his ability to keep calm and ask the questions? She certainly had a powerful effect on him.
Should he have let her tell her story? She had tried to, and he had cut her off. He realized that in the months and years ahead he might often wonder and wish he had listened. The image of her protesting and trying to explain the reasons for the false identity was clear in his thoughts.
***
The weather the next day mirrored his mood. Dark storm clouds scurried across the sky, gusts of north wind blew doors closed and sent a chill through the whole house.
Mrs. Driscoll and Nurse Walters had both spoken with him, aware of the rumors circulating round the house.
Neither believed anything he said about Lady Audrey. They liked her and trusted their own judgment. Mrs. Driscoll had looked almost in tears when he told her Lady Audrey would be leaving the following morning. Nurse Walters had harrumphed and told him he would regret these actions, casting that poor child out of the house.
Everyone was against him, and yet he knew the done thing was to return Lady Audrey to the care of her brother.
He stared through the rivulets of rain as a carriage drew up outside the front portico. What a carriage! Four black horses, which was unusual in town, and a shiny barouche with gold paint highlighting the doors and windows. The coachman, in matching livery, shouted as Jake and another footman came out into the rain to help secure the horses and lead the carriage to the mews at the back.
Jude watched the carriage door open, and the steps being lowered. Once they were ready a man hurriedly exited the carriage, his head lowered against the rain, and a black cape overhis shoulders. Jude noticed he offered no thanks to the servants who were drenched with rain.
As he climbed the steps to Jude’s house, he looked sideways, and Jude noticed a look of what appeared to be smug satisfaction on the Earl of Cheshire’s face. He had pale blonde hair which fell to his shoulders. As he turned away Jude got the impression of wealth and power emanating from this man.
Well, this couldn’t be avoided. He must make the acquaintance of the Earl of Cheshire.
Mrs. Driscoll announced Lord Ethan Rowe, the Earl of Cheshire, and a man with long blonde hair and hooded gray eyes entered the drawing room.
“Your Grace,” Lord Cheshire bowed to Jude.
“Lord Cheshire,” Jude returned the bow. “Take a seat. What will you take to drink?”
“A small glass of Madeira will suffice,” answered Lord Cheshire.
Jude gestured for him to sit and joined him.
“I’m grateful to Your Grace for taking in my sister, and I believe she has been ill while staying here.”
“Gravely ill, with scarletina.” confirmed Jude.
“Your household must have been inconvenienced so please accept my apologies. My sister is returned to health now?” the earl asked.
“She is still convalescing and advised not to exert herself for several days.”
“I understand she has been calling herself by a false name and claiming to be a governess.”
Something about his manner irritated Jude. “She has been living as Miss Letitia Banks; however, I cannot say she claimed to be a governess. She may be a lady of quality in theton, but she has a talent for teaching and caring for others. My ward has benefitted from her skills as a governess.”
Lord Cheshire almost spat out his wine.
