Page 56 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“Archibald taught me some in his correspondences,” she explained. “So, I sampled a few upon his recommendation.”
“It was actually him who taught me some differences between several wines.”
“It seems we both have one more thing in common. How do you feel about the snow?”
He grinned, and Ernest loved seeing the glimpse of his old friend. “I love it.”
“As do I! It is like the biggest, softest blanket.”
“And coldest one,” he pointed out.
“But that is what makes it marvellous! For afterwards, I can sit by the fire with a book.”
Ernest watched their banter back and forth, marvelling at how they both seemed to tug off the shroud of grief from each other without realizing it truly. Lady Samantha was bringing outthe side of Graham that Ernest had not seen since they toasted to their futures on the cusp of war.
“If it snows at the Toasting Ball, then I shall find you, and perhaps we can take a walk in the snow if the party gets too warm.” Graham laughed. “As your friend, it shall be my honour to show you around the grounds at the ball.”
“What is the Toasting Ball?” Ernest asked.
“It is what I have fondly called the fundraiser,” Graham told him. Ah. Despite spending many nights helping to fund and organize the fundraiser, Ernest had quite forgotten about the ball hosted in Archibald’s honour to help raise funds for the new hospital wing. “For he loved a good toast, and nobody is the host necessarily. It is a charitable thing so to call it after a host’s name did not feel right.”
Ernest quietly wondered if he just didn’t want to use the Bannerdown name to attach to his ball but knew his own would not have the sway needed to get invitations accepted.
“I wonder if your governess shall attend, Lord Bannerdown,” Lady Samantha enquired.
He stiffened. “Why would she?”
“I have only heard rumours that she has been accompanying you everywhere. To the playhouse, even.”
“She is my ward’s governess,” he explained, his voice tight. “And I have been attempting to bond with my ward by taking her on excursions and having her present at dinner parties, so her governess needed to attend. That is all there is to it.”
“If I may interrupt, Lady Katherine informed us of something different during our stay at Little Harkwell,” Mrs Brooks said. “And there is word around Bath as well.” She lowered her voice. “Word that … well, that your governess has feelings for you. It is terribly unfortunate if she does. The poor woman, she must not have two coins to click together.”
“Mrs Brooks, please refrain from speaking about my ward’s governess in such a manner,” Ernest said, glancing at Graham and narrowing his eyes. Do something, he wished to convey.
“I am also rather curious about her,” Lady Samantha said. “See, I was at the modiste earlier today and ran into Lady Katherine and Lady Florence. I overheard her tell Lady Florence that Miss Gundry was not everything she said she was. I only assumed that perhaps she feigned some educational levels, but what if it is more? She holds herself rather differently than my governess did. Mine was rigid, stoic, and barely spoke, but Miss Gundry seems to be rather involved. Does she not?”
Although the words were said gently, with consideration, Ernest could feel his temper rising. How dare they discussClaire’s personal life. He knew the truth, of course, but he could not believe his mother would risk gossiping so brazenly. And to Lady Florence, of all people. The young woman had just begun to trust Claire once again; he did not wish to see that compromised.
Ernest looked down at his course, a half-eaten pheasant, with the potatoes he truly liked under normal circumstances, but between the set-up that he struggled to believe was something innocent, the thought of marrying Lady Samantha, and the gossip about Claire, he had lost his appetite.
He craved her company. He did not wish to remain in Graham’s house any longer.
His rage flared, and he set down his cutlery with some force. “Graham, Lady Samantha, Mrs Brooks. I am afraid I must take my leave now. Enjoy the remainder of your evening and your dinner. I must leave for Lady Florence’s recital. Mentioning her has reminded me.”
“Ernest—”
“Thank you for dinner, Graham,” he said curtly. He bowed to the two women, walked out into the snow, and hailed a carriage home.
All he could think of was finding Claire and being in her company. He strode right into the dining hall, where thegoverness dined with Lady Florence. They both looked up in surprise at his sudden approach.
“Where is Lady Katherine?” he demanded.
“She—” Claire cleared her throat, startled. “She retired early, claiming a headache.”
“Good,” he said. “I need you both to listen carefully. I am telling you both that you must leave for London later this week. It is no longer a request, and I cannot fully explain why, but in the interest of me protecting you, I wish for it to happen as soon as possible.”
Chapter 20
