Page 35 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“No,” Ernest said slowly. “We are not.”
“I have come to speak with you about Lady Samantha,” his friend said, settling down in the chair opposite Ernest’s desk. “I am … worried for her. I am worried for what she might endure come the social season.”
“As am I,” Ernest sighed. “She is still young, yet grief has aged her. It will likely serve her well, but it could make her a target for the … older gentlemen who think only of needing an heir.”
“They will not treasure her,” Graham said, his voice quiet, resigned. He shook his head. “She must meet a respectable man. I trust that her aunt will present her only to the best men suited for her.”
“Mrs Brooks is an older woman herself,” Ernest worried. “It is more likely that she is ready to see Lady Samantha married off to the first suitor who glances her way, no matter his age. She will ensure she is taken care of, I am sure, but only financially. She might not give the extra time to think about the man himself.” He shuddered, thinking of the young, soft-handed Lady Samantha, in the throes of her grief, married off to a man old enough to be her grandfather.
It happened, but he did not wish it to happen to her. Archibald had been older but still only in his thirties.
“I wish I could attend these social events,” Graham muttered. “I have no rank to speak of, but I have enough prestige that should allow me entry. But alas. You shall have to watch over her from afar, Ernest.”
“Come the social season, Graham, I shall have my own young ward to watch over.” He gave his friend a stern look. “Lady Florence shall be ready to enter the marriage mart come the spring. I shall not have the time to take care of two ladies who should not be my responsibility.” He cringed at the harshness of his words.
“Of course,” Graham muttered. “How could I forget? Lady Florence is glued so permanently to the side of her governess that I almost forget she is ready to find a suitor. But I do not mind, for her governess is rather beautiful, is she not? And very well-read, according to Lawrence Kent.”
Ernest drew up sharply. “Who is that?”
“He owns the Haberdash Bookshop.” The chairman lifted a brow. “Why are you so upset over it?”
“I am not upset.”
“It sounds like you are. I make one mention of Miss Gundry’s beauty and—”
“Do not pursue her, Graham,” Ernest said, his words half a sigh and half a growl. It was not quite a warning but not quite a tired resignation, either. His emotions mingled and tangled in his mind, and he did not know how to make sense of them.
“I—I only mean that she must remain focused on Lady Florence,” he quickly amended when Graham looked mildly offended and shocked. “Especially if Lady Florence is to find her own way without a governess in the coming months, Miss Gundry shall need all her focus on those last preparations.”
Graham stepped back, and his mouth pulled into a tight line. “Ah.” He nodded slowly. “I see.”
“What?” Ernest snapped.
“I shall not pursue Miss Gundry,” Graham conceded. “But I also did not say that I would. I merely complimented her, and you jumped to a conclusion based on nothing but … perhaps your own jealousy?”
“That is preposterous,” Ernest muttered. “What possessed you to say that?”
“I am merely reading you.” Graham lifted his chin as if knowing he was right. “You wish to keep the governess and me apart, but are your intentions so pure, Ernest? I do not believe so. I do not believe it is only for Lady Florence’s benefit, for sheis a bright young lady, brighter than most, and Miss Gundry is excellent in her role. She makes a fine governess, and I believe you insult her by insinuating her focus from her employment would be swayed by me.”
“Graham, do not speak such nonsense. Of course, my intentions are pure.”
Graham did not look convinced, but Ernest still convinced himself of his own words.
Miss Gundry was wonderful, and he found that he had grown fond of her and always searched for her in every room he thought she would be in. But he cherished and liked her too much to put her in his mother’s line of fire. If his mother were already threatening Ernest, then she would know no boundaries when it came to threatening Miss Gundry.
“How about we call upon refreshments?” Graham suggested. “It seems your day has taken a toll on you.”
“That is a good idea,” Ernest muttered, but his mind was still on Miss Gundry and how he might protect her from his mother’s vicious gossip.
Chapter 12
“Florence, you must study,” Claire stressed, sighing when Florence only crossed her arms over her chest and sneered at her. The history book in front of them lay unopened.
“Perhaps I will,” she said. “Then again, I have studied recently. I have read a very impressive book on maintaining the privacy of others. Perhaps you might benefit from it, Miss Gundry.”
Ever since the week before, when she had caught Claire sneaking a glance at her letter, the quiet girl had become somewhat outspoken and more sarcastic, and she had refused to cooperate in their lessons.
Claire was getting anxious about it, unsure how to resolve the issue. If Lady Florence showed no progress continuously, then Claire herself would come into question, and she desperately wanted to protect Florence’s secret without lying to cover herself.
