Page 48 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“I know. I tried to think the best of him, but I believe he has no heart. I struggle to believe he is my brother sometimes.” She traced the pattern of a green leaf along the china cup. “I know I have to leave here,” she continued, her voice catching in her throat, “but the idea of leaving little Sasha is tearing me apart,” she finished as tears welled up in her eyes.
“You can write and visit. I know Her Grace will want you to stay involved in Sasha’s life. My dear Lettie, please don’t worry.”
“Once His Grace is married to Lady Caroline, I know I won’t be welcome at Clairville,” said Audrey with bitterness. “For some reason she detests me.”
“And you can think of no reason why that might be?” queried Diana, with a hint of laughter in her eyes.
“Well no, surely you can’t mean….?”
“I can and I do. I’ve seen how His Grace looks at you when he thinks no one is watching. Don’t forget how Nurse and I were there when you were so ill the doctor thought there was no hope. His Grace is a caring man, but he wouldn’t usually behave that way toward one of his household. He barely left your side till you were out of danger.” She reached across to pour Audrey another cup of tea. “I hate to say this, but it is unlikely he will marry you.Rich men don’t usually marry their governesses, but he cares for you a great deal.”
Audrey could see a thought struck Diana as she offered Audrey the sugar tongs. “Of course, you’re more than a governess, you’re a Lady yourself.” She clapped her hands together. “Miss Lettie Banks, I believe you might just be giving Lady Caroline Ridlington some serious competition.”
At that point Audrey burst into floods of tears. “Whatever is the matter?” asked Diana, taking Audrey’s arm, patting it with concern.
“He asked me to stay. I explained I needed some time and space to recover from all that has happened to me in the last few months. I said the wrong thing, Diana. It all went wrong, and I told him I would leave as soon as there was a replacement. He hasn’t spoken to me since.”
Diana Driscoll held a sobbing Audrey in her arms, reassuring her that all would be well. Audrey heard the words, knowing that any brief chance of happiness had been lost in that conversation by the maypole.
A sharp knock on the door and Diana went to open it, rather than call to enter. Audrey heard a maid’s voice “There’s a visitor arrived. A grand lady with her own French lady’s maid. She’s asking for a Lady Audrey Rowe and her ladyship says that’s Miss Banks.”
Audrey took a deep breath and wiped her eyes on the fine lace edged handkerchief pressed into her hands by Diana Driscoll. She was now the talking point of the house. No matter. She would continue to be Miss Lettie Banks for Sasha until she could find time to tell the little girl some of her story. The household could ask questions, and she would hold her head high as Lady Audrey Rowe.
This must be her friend Franny Weston arriving, earlier than expected, and such a surprise. She now had a friend at Clairville. She stopped herself suddenly, knowing instantly that she already had more than one friend, withDiana Driscoll, Nurse Walters, Rosie, and the even the dowager duchess herself, all becoming dear friends.
With her head held high, she took and heldDiana Driscoll’s hand, whispered, “will you come with me,” thenwalked out to greet Franny Weston, smiling broadly as she embraced her friend.
“Audrey, there you are. No one here seemed to know your name. I am so sorry I forgot you were living under a disguised identity.”
“It doesn’t matter Franny, the Lightholders know who I am. I’m choosing to remain as Miss Lettie Banks for the sake of little Sasha, who has gotten used to me being Lettie. Now come and take tea, I must introduce you to the dowager duchess, and her daughters. The duke is away on business.”
“Ah. I am acquainted with Her Grace, as we move in the same circles. I gather there is to be a ball.”
“Indeed there is, and it has a celestial theme. We’re all very excited,” said Audrey, gradually relaxing into being Lady Audrey in front of the household staff.
“Now my dear, I must speak with you about some information I’ve unearthed about your brother. All the evidence points to your inheritance being intact. Ethan may have been hoping for a marriage settlement from The Duke of Batton, but under the term of the inheritance he cannot access your money. You need not worry financially. I’ll explain later, but wanted you to hear the good news. You can work as a governess or companion if you choose, but you don’t need to work.”
Audrey stared at her friend, “You mean my inheritance was there all along?”
Suddenly a ball rolled across the stone flags of the great hall, followed by a puppy, lolloping after it. A tiny figure chased after the puppy, calling Flossie to come and be good.
Looking up Sasha noticed the flamboyantly dressed grand lady, in a purple turban, with an ostrich feather and a cloak of many shades of blue and pink. Her mouth opened as she stared openly at Franny.
“Mrs. Weston, may I present Miss Sasha, ward of The Duke of Clairville.”
“Delighted to make your acquaintance Miss Sasha,” said Franny, holding her hand out to the child.
Sasha took Mrs. Weston’s hand and bobbed a curtsy, saying, “Enchantée.”
Audrey looked on with a sense of contentment and pride. In that moment Clairville Hall felt like home.“Franny, I’ve missed you so much. Come and have that cup of tea.”
Chapter 19
Jude arrived home desperate for a swim in the lake. Instead all he got was news of the preparations for the celestial ball, and Robert telling him that Lady Audrey Rowe’s identity was a secret no more. However, the message to the household was that Lady Audrey was clearlyfrom the top drawer of the ton, and a true lady of quality.
Robert smiled, “They rather like her exotically dressed friend too. We now have a Mrs. Franny Weston in residence, and she seems to have been the leaky sieve where Lady Audrey Rowe’s identity is concerned.”
“I must tell Daniel about Mrs. Weston. That’s the friend of Lady Audrey’s he planned to contact. She visited the townhouse in London and is quite a formidablecharacter. I thought she might know something about the Earl of Cheshire, and his personality. She may also know any rumors surrounding him.”
