Page 38 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“I want her to play the great classical tunes. I would like her to be impressive. Do not indulge her whims.”
“It is part of her education and also her passion, My Lady.”
“Do you contest my desires for my own niece?”
“Not at all,” Claire whispered. “Forgive me.”
“Hmm.” As Winnie styled the lady’s hair back from her face, letting some curls hang down around her shoulders, Claire hovered, waiting for her next question. “By the week’s end, have her know, from memory, a Mozart piece.”
“By the week’s end?” Claire gasped.
Lady Katherine’s glare was pure ice. “By the week’s end, Miss Gundry.”
“Yes, Lady Katherine,” she murmured, her jaw tightening as she fought not to speak back. Any risk to her employment was detrimental. Lady Florence might be upset with her and argue, but Lady Katherine would have her right out the door within seconds.
Silence settled in the room, the only sound being Winnie’s hands tending to Lady Katherine’s hair and the shift of the length of curls against the woman’s robe. Outside, horses whinnied as they were walked and tended to, and voices of servants drifted from other hallways. But the silence in the room itself was stifling.
“Miss Gundry, did Lord Bannerdown ever divulge his opinion of Lady Samantha to you?” Lady Katherine suddenly asked, causing Claire’s temper to rise once again. She swallowed it right back down.
“I …No, Your Ladyship.”
“You stutter,” she noted. “I assume he has told you something.”
“I am merely surprised by your question, Lady Katherine.”
Once again, that contemplative “Hmm” came as a response as Lady Katherine met her own reflection in her vanity. “Winnie, do not tug on my hair. Your hands are as rough as a winter’s storm wind.” To Claire, she said, “I would think Lord Bannerdown has confided in you.”
The implication of their closeness and her disapproval of it was clear. Claire swallowed.
“I have no idea of his opinion, Lady Katherine,” she lied.
Lady Samantha is lovely both in looks and person, as the viscount always said, she recalled him saying, sharing the thought of the girl’s former betrothed. Claire was glad Lady Katherine did not look directly at her, for she was sure that her lies would have been written across her face.
“I see.” Lady Katherine nodded. She stood up from her vanity and rounded on Claire. “Winnie, leave us.”
As the lady’s maid ran out, she spared a glance at Claire, who had to pretend not to see her and kept her focus on Lady Katherine, but as Winnie passed, Claire let her hand brush the maid’s in a silent show of solidarity.
But then the door was closed, and Lady Katherine was getting closer, and Claire forced herself not to be insulting to the woman and back up a step.
“Miss Gundry, you are my niece’s governess, and it seems you need to be reminded of what your role entails.” Her voice was all-knowing and condescending, sharp and hurtful. “Your employment requires you to attend Lady Florence. To tutor her, to guide her, to be there for her no matter what. You must tend to her. Your employment does not require you to talk with Lord Bannerdown, or dine with him, nor spend evenings at the playhouse as if you were courting.” Her lip curled at the thought. “It is improper. You are not a woman of the Ton. Are you, Miss Gundry?”
The question was supposed to be patronizing, reminding Claire of her place, but it held an undertone to it. It held … knowledge. Or was that Claire’s own guilt talking?
“If you are to spend all your time with Lord Bannerdown, it is no wonder that Lady Florence’s progress is lacking. I do expect the Mozart recital by the week’s end, Miss Gundry, so you may prove to me that you do value your position here. You shallnot bring shame on my son, my house, nor the Bannerdown name.”
Her head lifted so she could glare at Claire down the length of her nose. “After all, you are fortunate to be employed by me, are you not? It would be a shame if you were to be left destitute …” Her mouth pulled into a cruel smile. “Again.” She feigned confusion. “Tell me, what would you do this time to begin a new life? Will you forever run because you do not know how to be in a role properly, Miss Gundry?”
Claire gasped. She knows.
“You …” She whispered. “You went through my belongings.”
“I do not know what you mean,” Lady Katherine sniffed. “And I shall not be the victim of accusation. Count your blessings, Governess, for you are on very thin ground. One step out of line, and you shall be out on the snow-covered streets in a moment, and the winter in Bath is not a kind one, Miss Gundry.”
Claire bowed her head, nodding.
“However, I can be persuaded to forget about anything I may not have read.”
Oh, she is a devious snake! Claire thought.
