Page 39 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“You’re an excellent dancer Sasha. You keep time to the music very well indeed.”
Audrey remembered the annual maypole dancing at Rowton Castle, signifying the beginning of the warmth everyone had missed in the long, dark winter months.
As she came down the stone spiral staircase with the wrought iron balustrade leading to the room that had been set up as a temporary school room, she reflected on her fear that one of the thirty guests might recognize her as Lady Audrey, and she would have to explain why she was here.
Until recently she had been one of them, a member of theton, attending recitals and balls in Bath and London.
Although she had no qualms about working as a governess, she didn’t want any awkward conversations, or gossip spread, about the way she had left Rowton Castle, and why she had taken a post of governess.
The dowager duchess, aware of Audrey’s story, suggested she spend a few weeks recovering from the scarletina fever, and considering whether she wished to enter society again. Audrey had time to consider what to do next as Sasha settled into her new life, and Audrey acted as her governess. Despite the close confinement during quarantine, there had always been chaperoning by Nurse Walters, or Mrs. Driscoll, so her reputation was not ruined. If she chose to enter society again, then the dowager had offered her full support.
She needed time to think. At the moment, she certainly had no desire to return to society but knew that may change as her strength returned.
Sasha had skipped off with Grace and Jane to investigate what was happening in the park.
Sasha had asked Audrey to look after Flossie, thinking it might be too busy and bustling for the puppy. Audrey held the puppy close, as they watched events get underway in the park.
She had planned to stay inside most of the day and watch the activities through the window.
Nurse Walters told her not to be so silly, as in her opinion, people of quality rarely looked at governesses or companions, unless they needed something from them. But Audrey remained cautious, using her recent illness as a reason not to attend the May Day Celebrations.
Yet, as she watched the Morris Dancers, ribbons flying from their colorful costumes, dancing to the music of a group of musicians, she wished she’d made a different decision. Her foot tapping, and with the sash window thrown open, she tried to copy the steps. How she missed dancing.
A procession of women and girls wearing flowing white dresses with sashes and flowery circlets in their hair made their way to the maypole, which stood tall, ribbons streaming from the top.
The music changed tempo and the dancers moved into position, ready to begin the steps of the ancient Clairville May dance.
Sasha stood gracefully, in her flowing white dress and circlet of flowers, holding hands with Jane and Grace, and then they were off, skipping towards the maypole, a look of intense concentration on every face. Seeing little Sasha dancing joyfully around the maypole, giggling with the duke’s sisters, lifted her spirits.
The music grew quicker, and their feet found the rhythm, dancing under and between the ribbons, and she gasped as she saw the woven pattern beginning to form at the top of the tall pole. If any of the dancers had gone wrong the ribbons could have twisted in a knot, but they all kept focused on their position and steps as the music continued.
How she wished to be dancing around that maypole and not hiding in her room. Anger built as Audrey considered the restrictions she had put on her life, all started by the need to escape from her brother.
As the maypole dance ended, and the dancers bowed and curtsied to each other, something snapped inside Audrey.Despair, fury, white hot anger filled her body. She held the tiny dog close as she stood tall, almost gaining in height.
Why am I hiding in my bedchamber, anxious about joining Sasha in exploring the event? We could have been down there Flossie, but I told myself I had to stay hidden in this room.
Why am I hiding what happened? I hide inside while Ethan drives around in the shiniest carriage I’ve seen, enjoying his riches and power. He tells me the family is poor and I must marry. I don’t believe a word of it. He just wanted a marriage settlement and even more wealth.
She caught her breath, full of a gritty determination that she would no longer hide. She had chosen to be a governess. If she met anyone, she knew then she could be proud that her independent spirit had led her to make her own way in the world.
She placed Flossie in her basket and went to check her face and gown, putting on her bonnet of a shade of spring lilac and wrapping a woolen shawl around her shoulders, as much for comfort as for warmth. As she felt the soft wool around her shoulders, she felt calm and confident.
She glanced out of the window as she prepared to go downstairs and join the May Day Celebrations. Seeing the duke escorting Lady Caroline onto the temporary dance floor, she held onto the window ledge, her fingers curled around the wood as shewatched. Everyone stopped to clap in rhythm as the pair led a procession of dancers.
Ah, the dowager must have chosen Lady Caroline Ridlington to be Queen of the May, thought Audrey. Everyone had expected it would be Lady Beatrice, but the honor had instead been given to their guest. As the music stopped, the dowager duchess moved forward to crown Lady Caroline with a circlet of periwinkle flowers, with lilac ribbons flowing down her back. Audrey gasped, seeing Lady Caroline looking like a true May Queen, smiling up at her May King.
The duke bowed his head as his mother placed the May King’s crown on his head and curtsied before him. Applause rang out across the park and the musicians played the music for the first dance.
Audrey brushed a tear from her cheek, as she started crying. The duke and Lady Caroline were so elegant as they moved through the steps of the traditional country dance. They looked so right together, an elegant pair, gliding and twirling in unison.
All these weeks, part of her had been dreaming of love and romance with The Duke of Clairville. Standing at the sash window, looking out over the park she recognized her folly. The duke would soon be betrothed to the May Queen. It was time for her to leave. She would prepare and wait until Sasha no longer needed her, but that day was very close.
Whatever happened, she was determined to no longer hide in the shadows, and so she made her way downstairs to join the celebrations. Sasha did not need her. Audrey smiled as she saw the child being introduced to new arrivals who she assumed to be Lady Alice, the duke’s eldest sister, with a boy of about six and a girl about the same age as Sasha. All three raced off together to play touch tag. Lady Elspeth saw Audrey and called her across to meet her sisters, Alice and Mary. Mary carried a baby in her arms, a little girl who reached out her hand to grab Audrey’s fingers.
The dowager duchess joined them briefly, telling Mary and Alice that Cook had prepared refreshments for them in the morning room. She nodded at Audrey, but there was no invitation to join them.
Overcome with intense sadness, and angry with herself for feeling jealous of others, Audrey made her way to the ornamental garden at the side of the hall.
