Page 42 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
Ernest glanced down at her, visibly alarmed. “Are you ill, Lady Florence? If not, I suggest you get to your feet, and you shall come back with me before my mother hears any of this commotion.”
At the threat of Lady Katherine, Lady Florence allowed Claire to help her to her feet. She shivered, but when Claire tried to hold onto her, to wrap some warmth into her, she pulled away, ignoring her. Only the sounds of Lady Florence’s sobs filled the air as they began the slow, hard walk back to the manor.
At least this time, they had light to guide them.
The snow sank deeply into Claire’s bones, and she ached, that stinging bite from the winter snow. She wished for fire. She wished for her bed, and she yearned for a long, deep sleep. But there was a heaviness in the air, words unspoken, anger-fuelled, and she knew the night was far from over despite the late hour.
Still, the anger made Ernest’s face passionate, and she could not stop glancing in his direction, no matter how much she disliked his accusations.
***
“You shall wait for me in here,” Ernest instructed Lady Florence, opening the door to the drawing room. “I will send for tea.”
“Allow me to, Lord Bannerdown,” Claire said.
He shook his head firmly. “No, Miss Gundry. You have made it clear enough that I have not done enough to take care of my ward. So, I shall do this.”
Guilt pierced her as she lifted her chin, nodding.
“Find a blanket for Lady Florence,” he told her. Then he paused. “And yourself. I do not want either of you catching a chill because of my cousin’s foolish actions.”
“It was not foolish,” Lady Florence sniffed. Her eyes were hard with her own anger, but it was her upset that won over. “I am in love, Lord Bannerdown.”
He gave her a scathing look. “Wait here, and do not speak to me of more nonsense.”
As he disappeared, Claire hunted for some blankets, which were kept in a chest beneath the window during the winter.
Lady Florence’s whisper came moments after she draped a blanket around her shoulders. “Do you think he is truly very angry with me?”
Claire hesitated before nodding. “Yes, but it is only from his concern for you.”
“If he denies my love, then how am I to explain my actions?”
“We shall wait for him to return.” It was all Claire felt able to say. Lady Florence pulled away from her when Claire tried to put a comforting hand over hers. The young girl’s eyes went to the window as if still looking for her lover. As if she truly did not want to accept that he may have given up and left for good.
Claire thought that after tonight, she would be surprised if Victor did not return or write to Lady Florence again. She could only hope the young man was stronger than that and proved his affections more honourably.
Lord Bannerdown returned, a maid trailing behind him with tea. She set it down on the table before them. Silence shrouded the three of them.
“Firstly,” Lord Bannerdown said, “if it can be helped, Lady Katherine shall not know of this.” His eyes angrily went to Claire herself and then Lady Florence. They both nodded. Ernest tried to sit down but shook his head, then remained on his feet.
“I am—I am simply disappointed with you, Lady Florence! It has been a long, hard, and tiring day, and I did not need to handle something like this as well. Do you have any idea what you almost did?”
“Lord Bannerdown,” Claire tried to speak, but he held up a hand to her.
“Do not try to vouch for her, Miss Gundry. I am quite capable of handling this situation alone.” He turned back to Lady Florence. “You have shown so much recklessness with your behaviour, cousin. So much carelessness for your future prospects and my reputation. What do you think people would say if they knew I had young men sneaking onto my grounds to meet you deep in the night?” He paced angrily, his rage falling off him in waves.
“Lord Bannerdown, I know Lady Florence’s actions were indefensible—”
“Exactly,” he shouted. “It was foolish and irresponsible. Who is he, Florence? I demand to know who he is. This is my estate, and I will know who enters it.”
“It is only your estate when you wish it!” Lady Florence burst out. “You only care when it benefits you! Otherwise, you are so busy all the time with the hospital, but you do not care for Bannerdown or your title. Not the way my papa or grandfather did. You did not want me, Lord Bannerdown! I know you see me only as someone to be stuck with.”
“Lady Florence, do not attempt to know my thoughts.”
“He wants me,” she insisted. “My family left, fallen to consumption. Miss Gundry is cross with me. You do not want me. Lady Katherine is cruel and calls me awful things. But he … my rider … he wants me. He values me. My words, my thoughts.”
Lord Bannerdown’s glare set onto her. “You are still young and do not know a man’s true actions, Lady Florence. There is one thing a young man is after with a vulnerable young woman such as yourself.”
