Page 20 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“You should cast her into one of your writings as a villain,” Claire suggested. “I know I cannot do anything to change your situation, and I know employment is hard to come by, so I will not disrespect you by encouraging you to leave and find another job, but you could perhaps resolve any conflict by writing in the heroine who is brave and able to speak more freely than you can.” She reached across to hold Winnie’s hand. “What do you say?”
“I actually have been writing a few scenes out,” Winnie said. “I could do that.”
“You must show me them!” Claire encouraged. “If you are comfortable.”
Winnie’s teary eyes turned brighter as she nodded. “I would like that very much. And Claire? You look beautiful. The playhouse must have been grand.”
“Perhaps Lady Katherine might attend with his lordship, and we shall go together.”
Winnie gave her a smile before she hurried over to a loose brick in the wall by the fireplace, where she pulled the brick free, and from within the gap, she produced a few rolled-up pieces of parchment. Winnie had flirted a little with the butler and had him take a few sheets every now and then before the supplies were delivered to Lord Bannerdown.
Thinking of the earl, she considered how sharp the candlelight had turned his features to be. He was a man with strong brows and sharp cheekbones, but his smile softened the harsh planes of his face, and she had liked watching him out of the corner of her eye during the play.
“My writing this time,” Winnie said, sitting down and jolting Claire out of her thoughts, “is a dashing prince who sweeps a poor servant off her feet and marries her, bringing a whole life of riches and wealth.
“Prince Patrick is a man who has never quite wanted to be a prince. The eldest of three, he far wishes that he was not the heir. He is mysterious and stoic to many, but it is a quiet sort of reservation. He is not an ignorant man but one who thinks very deeply indeed, and he does not know how to exist in the world that he is in. He often thinks of how he did not ask to have such a role …”
As Winnie talked, Claire found herself thinking, It is almost like Lord Bannerdown. He does not want this inheritance, much preferring medicine and hospitals to manor houses and balls, but his role in society demands that he take up the title.
“One day, he is ordered to throw a banquet to celebrate the town’s independence from a cruel governing hand—this is where I am thinking of writing Lady Katherine into my tale—and in honour, Prince Patrick invites both nobles and commonersto the ball, for he thinks, should they not have a chance at fun, too?”
Claire bit back a smile. Just like Lord Bannerdown inviting me to the theatre.
“He is ever so handsome, dark-haired, and has a secretive look in his eyes. He is broadly built, of course, for he is a hunter and a rider, a swordsman, as well as a well-read prince.” Claire pretended to prop her face up on her palm, so her fist covered her smile. Winnie was getting so lost in her story that she did not notice.
“So, when he meets the heroine, a certain Miss Winona—”
“I like what you have done with the name,” Claire interjected.
“Thank you.” She giggled. “When the two meet, both agree they cannot let anything happen, for Patrick cannot even ask Winona for a dance in front of many eyes. But Winona is brave and asks why he thought of inviting the commoners if they cannot dance with anybody they please. It is as though they are there for the glory of Patrick to say how considerate he was in thinking of them. Their argument gets rather heated behind closed doors and …”
She stopped herself, her eyes bright. “Well, the two share a beautiful kiss. And the story of love begins where Patrickfights to have Winona’s status elevated, but at the same time, he wishes to have better behaviour towards commoners. It sets an example for the town to see a princess who was once a commoner.”
Winnie was breathless by the time she finished. “What do you think?”
Claire grinned, having loved the tale so far. “I think it is lovely. And I would like to read it when it is done. I think even Lady Florence would. She enjoys reading, and I know she likes a happy ending or two. The intrigue of their social status would definitely raise some eyebrows.”
“And I shall be all the more happier for it.” Winnie paused, a wicked smile gracing her face. All traces of her tears were gone. “Speaking of falling for someone with a different status … I see you are growing softer with the earl. I have seen how you look at him.”
“I do not!” Claire protested, laughing. “That is unbecoming of a governess!”
But a blush warmed her face. She scooped her tea into her hands for something to do as she sipped.
“Do you have feelings for the earl?” Winnie said. “Because for my heroine, it worked out rather well.”
“Winnie!” Claire cried, her voice high with incredulity, even as she couldn’t resist smiling. “I do not have feelings for Lord Bannerdown. That would be preposterous.”
“I’m just saying. It wouldn’t do any harm, and he is very easy on the eyes.” The lady’s maid wiggled her brows at Claire, a grin on her face. “I do hope you two can attend the theatre together again.”
“I was chaperoning,” Claire protested, but it was a weak one at best, for she knew the earl had explicitly told her to enjoy herself for the night.
“I am sure you were,” Winnie teased.
But Claire paid her no mind as the maid put her story away and finished her tea. She knew better than to fall for her employer … Even if several moments had passed between them. And even if, when he held the dinner party last week, she had kept catching his gaze on her. And she swore she’d felt his hand brush hers at the theatre that night …
But no. She knew better. Too many secrets weighed in her heart for her to ever think about opening it or hope for the heart of another. She mustered a smile, finished her tea, and the two women stood up, ready to retire for the night.
“Ah,” Winnie said on the stairs. “Before I forget, a letter arrived for you earlier today. It was forwarded from a different address in London. I was awfully curious, so you must let me indulge my curiosity once you have read it! I left it on your dresser in your room lest anybody see your mail. Goodnight, Claire.”
