Page 6 of The Duke and the Enigmatic Governess
“Excellent. Mrs. Driscoll, you are remarkable. We would grind to a halt without you. Are you sure about joining us?”
“Indeed, Your Grace. I’m immune to most things and have that nursing experience. I’d be happier if Nurse Walters was here. She will know how to help a little girl who has lost her mother in such tragic circumstances. Now if you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I’ll go and find this poor wee girl and get her some broth and put her to bed. I’ll leave you to send the coach to Clairville for Nurse.”
Returning to the drawing room he was relieved to see the fire banked up high. Sasha, the child, was settled and sleeping soundly. Miss Banks and Jude looked at each other, exhaustion and concern etched in all their faces.
“The child’s sleeping,” said Miss Banks, “I thought she might struggle, but she was asleep as soon as her head was on the pillow.”
Mrs. Driscoll placed cold cuts of meat and bread on the polished walnut side table. Jude urged her to stay with him and Miss Banks and eat.
“If we are to spend the next five days together, then we are going to have to set some of the rules of society aside. We shall eat together.”
Mrs. Driscoll bobbed a curtsey, “Very well, Your Grace.”
The woman in white, as he would always think of her, had changed into a gown of pearl-gray dimity. He thought wistfully of the billowing white nightgown with a glimpse of ankle.
Miss Banks spoke with urgency, eyes blazing like blue sapphires. “Your Grace. We need to locate Sasha’s family and quickly. Tonight, she saw her mother die in front of her eyes. I’m concerned she is not speaking, except for the occasional word. I remember from seeing her at the inn that she is a bright, lively child, chattering and dancing all the time. I know it is early days, but I believe she is in a state of deep shock.”
Mrs. Driscoll patted her hand gently. “It is indeed early days but I’m sure she will rally, although there will be much sadness for her to live through. We can help by giving her structure and care while her family is traced.”
“There is one thing, Your Grace,” continued Miss Banks, hesitating, “I did wonder, from her mother’s accent and the words I overheard as she spoke to Sasha, if she might be French. There is a lot happening on the continent at this time, and it seems possible they might have been escaping the conflict.”
“If so, that will make our search more difficult, and the state that country is in, we may have little chance of success. Once we are out of this quarantine, my mother’s lady’s maid, who is fluent in French, will be happy to try to talk with the child. It was certainly possible this was a family escaped from the war in France,” said Jude. “For now, let us take a cup of tea, and sit near the fire. We’ve had a difficult night and need to keep our strength up.”
Mrs. Driscoll raised the teapot and poured three cups through the silver strainer. Taking a seat next to Mrs. Driscoll, Miss Banks took a cup into her hands. Jude watched her breathe in the light, fruity fragrance, her hands wrapped around the warm cup.
“Your Grace, I know it’s late, but you need to keep your strength up,” Mrs. Driscoll reminded them.
Jude nodded his thanks. “The family doctor will visit tomorrow and examine the child. Let’s eat, sleep, and wait until the sun rises tomorrow to discuss this further. I for one feel tired, and that is unusual for me, as Mrs. Driscoll will affirm,” Jude suggested.
Mrs. Driscoll laughed and agreed, “I’ve known Your Grace since you were a small boy. Endless energy and determination at all times.” She turned to Miss Banks. “My mother was housekeeper here. You might say I grew up in this job. There is only Nurse Walters, who hopefully you will meet tomorrow, who has been with the family longer than me.”
Mrs. Driscoll settled to her embroidery near the fire and Miss Banks leaned across to admire her work. “It’s a new stitch for me, it’s called lazy daisy stitch,” Mrs. Driscoll told her.
“I love it,” exclaimed Miss Banks. “Will you show me how to do it?”
“Of course, miss. We’ll have plenty of time over the next few days.” Mrs. Driscoll settled into sewing, concentrating on the silk thread as her needle darted in and out of the linen.
“I have lots of questions about you, Miss Banks, and I’m sure you have the same for me,” Jude said, looking toward her. “You’re clearly a young lady of quality, but in taking this position of governess, do you mind if I ask if you have fallen on hard times?”
“That is true,” responded Miss Banks quietly but would say no more.
After half an hour, feeling better for eating a plate of bread and cheese, warmed by the tea, Miss Banks appeared ready to retire to bed. She’d insisted on sleeping in the same room as Sasha, and Mrs. Driscoll had arranged for a small, wheeled truckle bed for the child, next to the four-poster bed with its heavy damask drapes. A fire was already blazing in the room.
“You look ready to sleep, my dear,” Mrs. Driscoll said with a smile. “Let me show you the way.” Miss Banks nodded at Jude and left the room with Mrs. Driscoll.
Jude stared into the embers of the fire. A few hours ago, he had left this house with his only responsibility being his estate at Clairville, not a small matter, but one he understood. Now he had temporary guardianship of a child who had lost her mother, plus a feisty young woman with whom he had to spend the next few days in quarantine.
He silently thanked Mrs. Driscoll for joining them in their confinement. He wasn’t sure if he was looking forward to the arrival of Nurse Walters, the woman who had raised him and his five sisters alongside his mama. She ruled the nursery with fairness, and underneath her sharp tongue and strict manner lay a heart of gold.
He settled deep into the leather chair, a glass of cognac replacing the tea. As soon as he closed his eyes, a vision of a woman in a white diaphanous nightgown and silk robe billowing around herfloated into his thoughts. This was going to be an interesting few days living together in what was, in effect, close confinement.
Miss Laetitia Banks was a guest in his home, and he would put aside his memories of her racing into the street, no thought for her own safety.
He roused himself and set about writing a letter to Daniel, giving instructions to begin enquiries into Sasha’s background and search for her family across Great Britain and into France.
Chapter 2
Audrey woke to the bright sunshine of a spring morning. For a moment, disoriented, she forgot where she was. She wasn’t in her home at Rowton Castle, or the Bell Inn. Then she remembered she was staying in a guest room, at the home of Jude Lightholder, Duke of Clairville.
