Page 62 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
“Very good,” Claire said, her voice faint and distant, barely listening.
“It is not really, though, Miss Gundry,” Lady Florence protested. “As that is the informal way, is it not? I could not very well address a Spanish prince so informally.”
Claire realized then that she had tricked her into acknowledging that she was distracted.
“Miss Gundry, I do not know if a governess is allowed a day of absence, but you seem distracted. If you are sick and need to retire, then I certainly shall not breathe a word of it to anyone. But I suspect you are not sick at all but distracted by thoughts of my cousin. Am I correct?”
Lady Florence’s knowing smirk was enough for Claire to know she had been caught.
“You are right,” she admitted timidly, feeling shy about admitting this to her tutee. “I … I admire Lord Bannerdown greatly.”
Lady Florence laughed quietly. “I know you do. It is rather plain to see. You look at him like—”
“Please do not say like Juliet looks at Romeo,” Claire interrupted.
Lady Florence only laughed harder. “No, I was going to say like you see a brilliant, bright future with him. When you first arrived here, you did not look such a way. You often looked … lost.”
“Oh.”
“But I am happy if my cousin has brought you back to knowing your way again. He can be your compass.”
Claire blushed furiously at that before trying to compose herself.
“There is another thing,” Lady Florence said tentatively. “And I have not entirely known how to broach the subject with you, but I do suppose this is as good a moment as any. I have … I have heard some rumours, especially at the luncheon yesterday, that you have not always been a governess but rather a former lady like I am. That you were courted by Lord Simon, Victor’s brother. Is this true?”
Claire hesitated before nodding. “I am sorry I did not confess my secrets to you directly.”
“They are your own,” Lady Florence assured her. “And I did not confess mine to you.”
“I almost did if that is any consolation. I almost told you when I found your letter from Victor. I wished to share my true story of my courtship with Lord Simon.”
“And if you ever wish to share that story with me, I will listen. You have been kind and patient with me when I thought nobody else had the time for me after my parents’ death. So, thank you, Miss Gundry. If the rumours come to light, then I am sure you might not stay on as my governess. You might even be able to reclaim your title. But I would still like to have you in my life, regardless. And that includes you having my blessing to pursue your admiration for my cousin if it is what you both wish.”
The information was something Claire processed slowly, and she was hesitant to realize that Lady Florence was offering her something beyond simply governess and tutee. She was offering confidence and friendship.
For which Claire was grateful.
“Now, how might I formally address the Spanish prince?” Lady Florence teased, but before Claire could answer her, Lady Katherine appeared.
“Lady Katherine!” Lady Florence called out. “If I may bother you for a moment, do you know where my cousin has gone? He has not attended his study nor breakfast this morning. We have not seen him since he left for the ball last night.”
Claire’s dread grew the moment she watched Lady Katherine’s smirk grow. She shrugged as if unbothered, encased in a smart, beautiful red gown. “Perhaps he was up early to spend as much of his day as possible with Lady Samantha. After all, they were caught together at the ball last night. I found them myself in an incredibly compromising situation.”
Claire fought to keep her composure neutral, but her heart was crushed. She had feared his feelings for Lady Samantha, and he had admitted she was lovely in looks and personality. Had everything got too much for him? Had he decided that Lady Samantha was a good, safe option for him?
Her chest tightened.
Ernest was not a rake. She had to believe that. He had barely known how to be around Claire at the very start, let alone court another woman simultaneously. There was something not right about Lady Katherine, who had been the very person to discover them, and she was bragging about it. Surely, a motherwho had caught her son in a compromising situation would be somewhat ashamed or muttering about honour and doing the right thing by the woman he was caught with.
Lady Katherine only looked pleased with herself, as pleased as she had been during the other times she had set up a meeting between the two.
But…
A small voice in her head whispered that perhaps Lord Bannerdown had finally succumbed to all of that and fallen for Lady Samantha.
Lady Florence glanced at Claire before smiling at Lady Katherine. “Indeed. Well, I hope he is back in time to dine with us.”
“I would not hold out hope.”
