Page 11 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“Please, My Lord, you speak first,” she said hurriedly.
“I was merely wondering what Florence’s package is,” he commented, still laughing through his awkwardness.
“Ah,” she said. “It is a book. Specifically, a special edition of Romeo and Juliet. It is the first edition, apparently. It was bought in especially for her. The bookkeeper at the Haberdash Bookshop is most generous.”
“Shakespeare?” Ernest asked, nodding. “That is quite impressive.”
“Oh, Lady Florence is very fascinated with him!” Claire said, her excitement palpable. “She has read every Shakespearian play at least twice. I believe her favourite is Macbeth, but she does have a special place for Romeo and Juliet. I think she is a romantic at heart but—”
Claire cut herself off, snapping her mouth closed.
“What is it?”
“I do not wish to speak out of turn.”
“I assure you, Miss Gundry, nothing is out of turn.”
“But… If you do not mind me saying, My Lord, you have not asked of her progress. I do not want to assume you want to be told.”
“I would very much enjoy it,” he said, nodding encouragingly. “Do go on.”
“I was only going to mention that I believe Lady Florence to be a romantic at heart, but I think her grief stifles her, so she turns to Shakespeare’s books with woeful tragedy. The fated lovers theme seems understandable.”
“It does indeed,” he said. “Although I do hope she does not wish for her own Romeo in those circumstances.”
He found the conversation going in an easier direction than anticipated and began to relax.
“Lord Bannerdown,” Claire spoke up after a moment, “if you do not mind me asking, why do you not speak with Lady Florence directly? She is your cousin, is she not? And she is very young. Of course, she has me, but I can see she craves a connection with you.”
He hesitated, feeling rather embarrassed of himself when he admitted, “Miss Gundry, the real reason I do not speak with her is because I find myself rather awkward around her. She is young and grieving, and I am older and do not know how tonavigate my own grief to best be there for her. I do not know how to communicate with her in a way that won’t leave her feeling rather negative.”
“I can tell she wishes to speak with you, no matter what,” Claire said gently. “She is a lover of books, as I mentioned. If you have a favourite Shakespearean tale, perhaps you could bring it up over dinner. If you feel awkward, then you can keep the communication to a confined time. Break your fast with us one time, or you are welcome to step into the music room and watch us duet.” Her voice went higher with her teasing, joking about catching him lingering in the doorway. He laughed lightly, allowing her such a tease.
“You are quite right,” he said. “I am merely aware of my own … poor skills in talking. I am used to being clinical and observant. That has not equipped me to cater to a grieving young ward whom I did not know I would have guardianship over.”
“She worries about that,” Claire told him. “That she is the ward you are stuck with and never chose and cannot get rid of until she is married.”
The fact that his cousin carried such a burden … Oh, it jaded his heart. He truly did need to talk to her.
“I shall find myself taking your advice, then, Miss Gundry. And it is quite ample timing as well, for it appears we have arrived at our destination.” He smiled as they entered thetown. “I believe the Haberdash Bookshop is a little way down the road.”
“Thank you, My Lord.”
He opened the carriage door to her and stepped out before offering his hand to help her out. Claire blinked at his open palm for a moment before sliding her hand into his. He jolted at the touch but closed his fingers around hers to steady her as she stepped out of the carriage and onto the cobbled streets.
She bumped into him, her eyes wide as she gazed up at him. He looked down at her and was only brought out of his reverie by the closing of the carriage door by one of the footmen. Ernest startled and stepped back.
“I shall… I shall leave the carriage here so you may have a way to return to Little Harkwell Park,” Ernest said. “I do not know when I shall be home.”
“Thank you, Lord Bannerdown.”
He lingered awkwardly, unsure how to part ways, so he simply nodded jerkily before he turned and walked away towards Bellott’s Hospital.
Chapter 4
Claire made her way down the main road through Bath proper, keeping her cloak tucked around her face. She could not stop fussing with it while her gaze flickered left and right, trying to notice anybody looking too long or hard at her.
She had grown up in Bristol, in Flogsend House, a beautiful townhouse that was scarcely half an hour away. Her father had taken her to Bath many times. She had been known in society; it was not a foolish fear to worry she might be recognized.
