Page 58 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“I think Lady Florence’s lessons can be set aside for today,” Lord Bannerdown said, smiling. “And instead, you shall both prepare for the luncheon. I shall meet you in the entrance hall at midday.”
“Thank you, cousin!” Lady Florence squealed before turning to Claire. “Come, Miss Gundry, we must prepare!”
Claire let herself be pulled away, still in a daze, and automatically prepared Lady Florence for her luncheon.
***
In the carriage ride, Ernest informed Lady Florence about the guests present for the luncheon and whom he planned to introduce her to. For now, it seemed like the day was proving a good distraction from the girl’s heartbreak.
Claire could not find the same solace as she lost herself in her thoughts. Everyone who walked past the carriage glanced in, and she pressed herself back against the seat, not wanting to be recognized. She was being overcautious. But now, with Lady Katherine’s poison spreading through Bath, Claire could not assume people would not look harder at her.
They had not recognized her in all these years, but a prompt could change everything.
“Are you feeling all right, Miss Gundry?”
“Yes,” she answered, but it was too quick, and Ernest saw right through her. He looked back at her, utterly unconvinced.
“Do you think Lady Alison will be there?” Lady Florence asked. “I met her at the public library several months ago, and it has been some time since we have been able to speak with one another.”
“Miss Harchester, the daughter of the Baron of Harchester?”
“That is her.”
“I am sure she will be. The baron has been invited.”
Lady Florence looked pleased, and as they continued the journey to the assembly room, Claire’s dread only grew. If many peers had been invited, did that mean Lord Simon would be there? And Lord Victor? She could only hope neither showed and did not cause a scene for either herself or Lady Florence.
Soon, they arrived at where guests went in and out of the assembly hall, and Lady Florence could not exit the carriage quickly enough upon seeing her friend, Lady Alison. Claire went to follow, but Ernest held her back.
“Please stay a quick moment,” he said.
She looked up at him questioningly. His hair had been pushed from his forehead, exposing those intelligent eyes she loved to look into. She swallowed now, her throat closing up.
“Have I overstepped, Miss Gundry? I feel as though you have grown rather distant from me in recent days. Should I return to our formalities of addressing one another? I do not wish to overstep in any way so if I have, please do set me back on the right path with you.”
It was only at his worry that Claire found her voice once again. Eyes began to bore into her back, watching them, whispering, and she felt the pressure of it all.
“I assure you, Lord Bannerdown, that you have been the perfect gentleman,” she told him softly. “It is not you at all that has me on edge. It is not only Lady Katherine who has threatened my identity, but just the other day, I had a visit—”
Before she could confess about Lord Simon’s visit, his carriage pulled up behind theirs, and the man jumped out, smiling brightly.
“Ah, there she is! The very woman I have yearned to see once again.”
Claire’s breath caught, and she looked for a place to escape, but there was nowhere she could run to. Ernest moved just in front of her, looking at Lord Simon head-on.
“Lord Simon,” he greeted. “I believe you shall not like to cause us any trouble at such a charitable event. We have exchanged pleasantries, and you have helped me greatly regarding your brother and my cousin. It would be a shame to damage that.”
“Do not worry, for I am not here to damage anything.” His gaze locked on Claire. “I only wish to congratulate Lady Claire on her reentry into society, although I must admit, Lord Bannerdown, it seems you are keeping such a well-discussed woman to yourself. Are you coveting her to finally have a chance to court her, as the rumours say you wish to, or are you simply trying to protect her now that news of Lady Claire’s real identity is spreading?”
He bowed to Lord Bannerdown. “I shall see you inside. Enjoy your luncheon and ball later.”
He walked away with his head held high, and Claire turned to Ernest.
I must leave, she thought, even as he directed her to move towards the entrance.
“I cannot remain a governess for much longer,” she murmured to Ernest, who nodded. “I am risking both of our reputations. I can find work yet again in another city. I shall run as long as I need to, as long as I am safe, and finally escape the rumours and those who know me, but you … Lord Bannerdown, I cannot risk your reputation.” Dread filled her chest. “London is a brilliant idea, and I am grateful for it, but I cannot hide there forever.”
I shall have to make a decision about my future once the trip is over, she concluded.
