Page 42 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
Jude noticed the surprise on his mother’s face at these harsh words. Wincing inwardly, he decided he’d misunderstood Lady Caroline, and she’d meant it kindly, thinking Lady Audrey would be happiest occupied.
His mother smiled, ignoring the suggestion, and talking instead about the weather and remembering to check with cook about the picnic lunch. It seemed it was a complicated meal with hot food to be taken down to the park, insulated by straw in wooden boxes. Another exciting first for Clairville.
Lady Caroline threw herself into all the games and activities. Her shapely physique resembled an ancient Amazon as she drew back the bow and scored a bull’s eye in the archery. She showed little Sasha how to load an arrow, and pull back the bow, helping her with the weight of the wooden bow. Her attention though appeared to wane in the croquet, and she suggested Sasha returned to the nursery when she accidentally hit Lady Caroline’s ankle with her mallet.
Jude’s sister, Grace, stepped in immediately and suggested a race around the lake and Grace, Jane and Sasha set off together to search for a mermaid in the lake. Jude remembered his father telling them that this might be the lake where King Arthur had hidden his sword Excalibur. They had all believed him and he overheard Grace telling little Sasha about Arthur and Merlin.
“Such a sweet child,” said Lady Caroline. “Your mother tells me you are considering adapting her as your ward. Let me advise you against that. No good will come of it. There are, I believe, schools which cater for the needs of these motherless children.”
He stared open mouthed at this lady of quality, who would consider sending such a tiny child to a school for orphan girls, rather than give her a home with the warmth of a family and love. He’d thought she enjoyed spending time with Sasha, but it seems it was a sham, just for appearances.
Try as he might, he could not banish thoughts of Lady Audrey. He could see her, running alongside Sasha outside, introducing her to the ponies, encouraging her to play the spinet, and holding her as she cried with the pain of losing her Mama. Images of Lady Audrey, and the love and care she gave Sasha, flooded his thoughts.
As he reached the house he called for Robert. “Tell Barton to saddle the horses. You and I going for a ride across the heath and then a swim in the lake.”
“Very good, Your Grace,” said Robert.
Chapter 16
Audrey awoke cocooned by her warm coverlet, noticing the rays of spring sunshine creating patterns on the wall. She stretched out her fingers, wiggling them to make patterns on the wall, and feeling the warmth of the sun.
It should be a perfect day, but with her mind filled with brain fog she struggled to think clearly. Since those harsh words with the duke she had not slept. For two days now, she had caught a glimpse of him in the distance, heading into the park or turning a corner in the great hall. There had been no words, no salve for the wound. He had no time for Audrey, the governess in disguise.
Last night she had retired early, hoping to be lost in the arms of a dreamless sleep. Instead nightmare after nightmare had her tossing and turning for hour after hour.
At one point she woke trembling, convinced that Sasha was in danger. There was a threat to Clairville Hall. Someone watched them from afar. In her nightmare she sensed footsteps in the stone passageways, an evil presence waiting in the shadows.
She remembered sitting up in bed, trembling and startled, reaching for her robe, and finding her way along the dim, dark landing, which linked her room to the nursery where Sasha slept under Nurse’s watchful eye.
She heard Nurse snoring and smiled, somehow that broke the tension, as she cautiously opened the door to Sasha’s room. The child slept peacefully. No illness. No intruders. All was well. Breathing a sigh of relief, she crept back to her room, glad that Nurse hadn’t been disturbed. It would have been difficult to explain the sudden compulsion to see Sasha and check on her wellbeing.
Knowing that Sasha slept soundly in the Nursery calmed Audrey’s racing pulse, and helped her to finally fall asleep.
When she woke, later than usual, she was trembling at the memory of another nightmare. A mirrored corridor, with images of Ethan in each mirror, sneering at her as she tried to find the way out. In the distance she caught a glimpse of the duke, but try as she might, she never closed the distance between them.
She watched herself collapse in a heap, sobbing in despair and when she looked up the figure standing over her was the duke. She recognized his frock coat, and muscular stature. She reached her hand towards him, but when he turned it was the face of Ethan, laughing, clearly insane.
Darkness enclosed her, and her was head spinning as she tried to grab something to steady herself, before she lost consciousness and plunged into the void.
Now, in the morning sunshine Audrey felt calm. Since leaving Rowton Castle her life had resembled a boat tossed on stormy seas, and she did not know where she would find safe harbor. It seemed that would not be here. She drew in her breath, pushing away thoughts of the duke.
The decision was made, she would leave at the end of June. She needed to begin to make plans for another position as companion or governess, but this morning she would bathe in the early morning sunshine.
A rattling noise at the door startled Audrey back from her daydreams.
“Good Morning, miss,” said Rosie, smiling. “It’s a glorious spring day. There’s been a light frost, but it’s starting to melt away already.”
Audrey reached for her robe and moved to the window, throwing up the sash window and breathing in the sharp, crisp air. “You’re right Rosie. It’s a spectacular day.” She turned to smile at Rosie, “I think I’ll go for an early walk, down to the lake.”
“It’s the morning for it, miss. Enjoy your walk. Miss Sasha is excited about playing the spinet again later. That little girl has true musical talent. It’s a shame they can’t find her family. I think her mother must have been musical.”
“I believe you may be right Rosie. Sasha is incredibly talented. It’s unusual for one so young.”
“I nearly forgot, miss, Nurse says she’ll keep Sasha till after nuncheon today, so you can have some time for yourself. She thought you looked a little peaky and that it isn’t long since you were ill.”
“In that case I might walk all the way around the lake,” said Audrey, making a mental route for her walk, which would take in the woods and the lake.
As she made through the great hall to the boot room to find her woolen cloak she noticed a flurry of activity. Boxes and trunks carried out to carriages waiting at the front entrance. She almost bumped into Mrs. Driscoll, carrying a wicker basket in her arms.
