Page 61 of The Earl's Disguised Governess
He found himself surrounded by books, remembering the day he had sat with his cousin and Claire in the library at Little Harkwell as Claire talked Florence through Shakespeare. He remembered the look she had given him, demure and subtle, a hint of a smile as if she wanted him to chase her for more.
What would await them in London?
He strolled around the library, looking at row upon row of books, admiring the extensive medical science collection, but soon, the library door opening caught his attention.
“I shall return soon—oh, Lady Samantha. I thought you perhaps were Mr Courtenay come to retrieve me.”
“I am afraid not,” she answered politely. “Although I am surprised to find you here, Lord Bannerdown. I do not wish to be rude or insinuate your company is not wanted, but I was supposed to meet Lady Katherine here.”
Just as Ernest’s heart pounded, slowly realizing exactly what was happening, and as he was about to urge Lady Samantha to run quickly away, footsteps sounded through the hall. Voices rose to them, and Lady Samantha clearly realized the setup a moment after he did. Her eyes widened, meeting his, just as Lady Katherine appeared in the doorway, followed by a group of Ton women.
She gasped, and the women echoed as they all witnessed Ernest alone with Lady Samantha.
“Lady Samantha!” Lady Katherine cried. “I did not know you had affection for my son. And Lord Bannerdown, you know better than this! How—how could you do this to poor Lady Samantha!” Her voice was hysterical, fake in its rising pitch, drawing more and more attention to the situation.
Lady Samantha began to protest, but Lady Katherine wailed over her.
“Lord Bannerdown, I have always raised you to be dutiful! Will you dishonour this poor woman, who has already been burdened with so much? I cannot believe I have caught you in such a position!”
“Mother, lower your voice,” he warned quietly.
“Are you ashamed, Lord Bannerdown?” she cried out, pressing a hand to her chest. “Lady Samantha, I must apologize for my son’s shameful behaviour. How terrible I have caught Lord Bannerdown alone with you, Lady Samantha.”
Ernest’s jaw tightened as she raised her voice, ensuring that anyone who did not see would certainly hear.
“Mother—”
“Come, Lady Samantha. I must save your reputation while I can. I feel rather responsible for you ever since the day you strolled with Lord Bannerdown in the gardens of Little Harkwell itself.”
The narration fell together in an oh-so-convenient way. Ernest watched, enraged, as Lady Samantha’s wide eyes fell on him as she was tugged from the room. Oh, his mother had himexactly where she wanted him. Her smugness before the ball made sense, but his thoughts went only to Claire.
She was all he wanted, and he would not let his mother take that from him.
Chapter 22
Claire woke up the morning after the luncheon with excitement thrumming through her. It was like somebody was lighting a candle from the inside, sparking energy through her. Preparing for the day was an easy task, her focus renewed by the thought of seeing Ernest.
She could not entirely remember when she had gone from going through the motions of her life to enjoying being a governess to now hoping that every day would begin with Ernest. Requesting him to break his fast with Florence and herself had been for the young woman’s benefit but Claire found herself with plenty of selfish reasons to hope he kept joining them in the breakfast hall.
However, when she arrived, dressed in one of her nicer gowns that was practical for her role, she found only Lady Florence waiting at the table. For the first time in a while, there was no sign of Lord Bannerdown.
And Claire could not help her steps faltering as she blinked, looking around.
“Lord Bannerdown shall not be joining us today?” she asked Lady Florence. “Have I missed his presence?”
Lady Florence shook her head. “No, he did not arrive at all, not even to explain his absence.” She sighed heavily. “My toast has grown cold, and my mood has grown miserable. It feels as though we are right back to the start of when he arrived and wished to have little to do with me.”
“Oh, Lady Florence, I am sure that is not the case,” Claire said, sitting down. But she could not help as her attention strayed to the empty chair at the head of the table that Lord Bannerdown usually occupied.
He had once confessed to her, a week ago, that breaking his fast with her was his favourite part of his new routine, for he got to start his day with her. And that thrilled Claire, especially as their departure for London grew closer.
Soon, they would be away from Bath, away from the rumours and the threats and the constant feeling of looking over her shoulder.
But disappointment weighed heavily on her now as she buttered some toast and joined Lady Florence. They retreated to the library, where Claire continued the girl’s lessons in Spanish. Lady Katherine had said a Spanish prince might attend some seasonal balls, and Lady Florence was to be prepared to speak with him.
“And how do you ask how someone is doing?” Claire asked, but her attention kept flickering to the open doorway, waiting for Ernest to walk past on his way to his study.
“Que tal,” Lady Florence recited.
