Page 33 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“Do you need to ask me that question, Your Grace?” came her reply. “I believe you know what is in my heart and how much I care for Sasha. She needs consistency in the months ahead, and I will gladly stay until she is settled at Clairville with your family.”
Jude was asking her to stay and be a governess, suppressing the knowledge that his feelings of intense desire toward her remained. He could not lose her. The idea of her walking out of his house with that brute of a brother was something he would not countenance.
He turned to Lord Cheshire and nodded at Robert. “Your sister has made her choice. I must ask you to leave,” said Jude, in such an icy tone that the Earl backed away.
“I must protest!” The earl whined.
“You can protest all you want. Lady Audrey will remain in my household under my protection. Robert, please show the earl to his carriage.”
“You will regret this, Your Grace,” declared Lord Cheshire, his gray eyes glinting with fury. “You will rue the day you interfered with my family affairs.”
Jude went with Lord Cheshire and Robert as far as the door and returned to see a scene in the drawing room which gladdened his heart. Mrs. Driscoll and Lady Audrey had let Sasha sit at the pianoforte. The child had been insisting that she could play and none of them had believed her.
It was as if she had forgotten her distress a few minutes earlier, as she sat proudly on the piano stool, playing a simple melody, with two hands. When she finished, she looked around the room and smiled, clearly awaiting applause, which was quickly given.
“My Mama taught me to play that tune.” she said as the applause continued around her. Jude reflected how one tiny child, with a very individual personality, could entirely transform their lives.
Was he doing the right thing?Jude thought to himself. Looking at the scene in his drawing room, he was sure he had. He was also sure he had not heard the last of Lord Cheshire.
Chapter 10
The next morning, the house was in turmoil as they prepared for their departure to the Clairville country estate.
The duke sent a message asking Audrey to join him in the breakfast room. She curtsied as she entered the room and he smiled, gesturing her to take a seat at the table.
“You’ll take breakfast with me?” he asked.
“Of course, Your Grace,” she responded, taking a place at the table.
“It’s a busy day, with the journey to Clairville, but I thought we needed to talk. Breakfast together seemed a sensible option. It was quite a day yesterday. How are you feeling today?”
“Much better, Your Grace,” said Audrey, taking some bread and butter and a slice of honey cake onto her plate.
“That’s good news. Now, I’m struggling to know what to call you. Are you Lady Audrey or Miss Lettie today?”
Audrey noticed with relief that he smiled as he said this. “I’m Miss Letitia, Lettie,” she said with quiet conviction.
“Very well. You shall remain as Miss Lettie Banks.” He paused, helping himself to a plate of chops and devilled eggs. “It’s deuced awkward having a lady of thetonas governess in my household. I Intend to discuss this situation with my mother. It seems to me that you are more of a guest, a family companion, than a governess.”
“Indeed not, Your Grace. I am happy to be a governess.” Looking a little nervous, she spoke directly to him, “If I can be frank, I am unsure of my financial position. You met my brother. He tells me that my inheritance has gone, but you saw the carriage he drove yesterday. There was no sign of financial concern at Rowton Castle. I intend to contact the family attorney and make enquiries about whether I will come into my inheritance at twenty-five years, or if, as Ethan says, it has gone.”
She took a drink of tea and looked thoughtful. “I will commit to stay as governess while I get answers to my questions, and that gives Sasha the opportunity to settle into life with her new family at Clairville. There is always the possibility her family in France will be found, but that seems increasingly unlikely.”
He nodded his agreement and waited for her to continue.
“I am happy to be employed as Miss Lettie Banks for a few months. However, you need to pay me as we agreed before my brother appeared.”
“Very well,” responded the duke, a small smile on his face. “That’s agreed.”
***
By mid-morning, the carriages were ready for the journey to Clairville Hall. The duke and Robert had set off in the phaeton, followed by Sasha, Audrey, Mrs. Driscoll, Rosie, and Nurse Walters in a barouche.
The sun shone and Audrey watched as Sasha danced out to the carriage, she was so excited. Sasha knew the names of all the horses now and went to greet them before they climbed into the carriage. Nurse Walters was already in a corner, tatting as usual. Mrs. Driscoll had a large wicker basket of cakes, pastries, and pies, provided by Cook, who always remained in town.
Audrey looked out of the window as they clattered through the streets of London and on to the Great North Road to Hertfordshire.
Sasha got more excited as fields and woodlands appeared. “There will be fairies, elves, and giants in that forest,” she told them with certainty. “I know a story about a sleeping princess who lived in a castle in a wood,” she continued and proceeded to tell them the story.
