Page 12 of Cinderella's Charade With the Duke
She glanced at Millie. ‘What do you suggest?’ she asked in a whisper.
William’s nerves bubbled up. He always hoped the magic question would arrive that would bring Millie back to speaking. He waited with anticipation to see if she might answer Miss Potts. Unfortunately, she didn’t, but she walked closer to hernew governess and pointed to the plate of scones and jar of strawberry jam beside it.
‘Ah! A fine choice indeed. I believe that is what I will have,’ she replied with a wink. She added two scones to her plate followed by strawberry preserve and clotted cream to each and turned to him. She eyed the table, no doubt uncertain where to sit.
‘Perhaps a seat here,’ he said, pointing to the chair to the right of where he usually sat at the head of the table. ‘Just opposite Millie.’
She nodded and settled in, sitting quietly until he and Millie were seated at the table with her. Tea was brought out and poured for them and they settled into a companionable silence as they ate. Seeing Miss Potts in the very chair Cecily would have sat in would take some getting used to, but it was necessary. Millie needed to recover and know she was safe and supported in order to find her voice again.
‘Do you have any specific items for our areas of study today, Your Grace?’ Miss Potts asked as she slathered her scones with a generous portion of strawberry preserve and clotted cream. He almost smiled. It reminded him of his cousin. Lady Buchanan also had a penchant for sweets for breakfast, but retained a fine figure. It seemed Miss Potts was the same. He baulked at his own thoughts. Why was he noting her figure? Lack of sleep had to be impacting his judgement. There was no other explanation for it. She was Millie’s governess after all.
Miss Potts took a bite and he regrouped before answering, ‘Since you seem to enjoy the outdoors as much as Millie, perhaps some science and geography for this morning and some reading this afternoon. You could choose a new book from the library.’
‘That sounds like a fine schedule for us to settle into, does it not, Lady Millie? We can explore the grounds each morning and work on our geography, science and histories, then comeindoors in the afternoons when it gets warm to work on our reading and mathematics. We could even schedule a nap to rest if you’d like.’ She cast his daughter a wink before glancing over at Millie’s favourite bear that occupied the seat next to her. ‘Even bears need their rest.’
Joy exuded from her and her sunny personality soaked into the room, leaving him and Millie with smiles all around. Millie even nodded and gave a giggle as if she, too, couldn’t wait for such fun to begin. It filled William with a sense of peace and happiness he had not felt in far too long. In that moment, he knew his instincts about Miss Potts had been right. She was just the right fit for his daughter…and perhaps even him. He cast the thought aside like the ridiculousness it was and enjoyed the rest of his meal.
‘Shall we walk off some of our lovely breakfast?’ Miss Potts asked Millie after their plates had been cleared.
His daughter nodded and smiled, clutched her teddy by the hand and slid down from her chair. She gave him a little hug before scampering after Miss Potts, clutching her hand, and leaving the room. William’s heart soared and he let out a long sigh.
Soon, he spied them through the window. They were walking through the grass heading back to the lake. What should he do withhisday? It had been some time since he had felt settled enough to wonder, let alone plan time for himself. There had been task after task to manage over the last year. With Cecily’s and his father’s passings and Millie to tend to while moving and inheriting a title and estate with its many responsibilities, William had lost a bit of himself. Seeing Millie settled, even if it might be temporary, helped him feel as though he was regaining his footing, himself and his life.
He rose and decided to complete his outstanding tasks from this morning as he mused how he might have some of his own enjoyment this afternoon. He was off to draft a letter to his cousin to head off any further matchmaking. He knew Lady Buchanan. She believed silence was agreement and the last thing he wanted was for her to believe he was ready for a match with one of the ladies she and Mrs Chisholm had presented him with on their list. He shuddered. Just the thought of such a match put an extra spring in his step and he hurried off to reply to her, so he could send out a messenger with the letter before midday. Time was of the essence.
Chapter Six
Somehow a week had already passed in her new post as governess and Hattie was proud of the joyful daily routine they had settled into and the rapport she and Lady Millie had built with one another. Each morning, they met in the parlour and walked about the lake before breaking their fast with scones and jam with His Grace.
Then they returned to the lake for a daily adventure and exploration, coupled with lessons in science and local geography, which Hattie had been able to learn all about thanks to the hearty library His Grace had given her access to during her stay. Trudy would swoon at the stack of books Hattie had in her chambers. The thought of it made her smile.
After a midday meal, they napped and then rose for lessons in reading, literature and mathematics. It was hard to believe so many days had passed and that Hattie might only have one week left with her new charge. She had grown so fond of her that Hattie dreaded the idea of leaving.
The Duke of Wimberley seemed pleased with her work and dedication to his daughter when she provided him updates each eve, so Hattie had high hopes she might be invited to stay on longer, but not too high hopes, as she couldn’t bear the disappointment if he didn’t extend her contract of employment.Nor did she wish to think about having to leave little Millie or this place.
In just a short time, the Manor and its occupants had grown on her, even His Grace, who often kept to himself during the day. Despite his best efforts to remain serious and distant, she had seen glimpses of his kindness and warmth in the exchanges with his daughter and servants when he forgot himself and let his mask slip out of place.
She and Millie had already enjoyed their morning meal and her young charge had been eager to return to the pond to search out the same tiny duckling they had rescued from danger their first outing together. Hattie watched as Millie played at the edge of the pond, splashing her hand in the sparkling water. Sunlight streamed through the trees out in the distance and the little girl met Hattie’s gaze and smiled at her. While Hattie could still take three strides and reach Millie with ease, Hattie was trying to let more physical distance between them build as time went on so she could gain confidence and assurance.
It had taken almost three days for her to dare let go of Hattie’s hand and walk more than a full stride away from her. The poor girl was still scared of the world after losing her mother and grandfather in such a short period of time and Hattie understood. Losing her mother and becoming an orphan had shaken her to her core when she was only a bit older than Millie. It would take time for the little girl to heal and realise the world still had wonderful adventures to offer and happiness could be trusted once more.
Hattie plucked colourful wildflowers as she watched Millie pick up the rocks along the bank and examine them. Each one seemed to fascinate her as did much of the outdoors. They would do a review of the flowers they had been studying today and make a beautiful thank-you bouquet for the cook, Mrs Updike, who had agreed to help teach them both about the intricaciesof cooking a tart after they came in and washed up from their morning excursion outside.
While their ‘reviews’ each morning consisted of nods, pointing and head shakes rather than words from Millie, shewaslearning. It was evident in the girl’s bright eyes and smiles. Hattie continued to pray each day that something unexpected would unlock Millie’s silence, but nothing had so far.
A flutter of birds flew from a cluster of large bushes on the other side of the lake. Hattie turned and watched to see what had startled them. It wouldn’t be the first time a deer or fox had trotted out this way looking for their own morning meal. A small hare hopped out of the bush and Hattie smiled. Evidently today it was a bunny looking for some fresh clover. She turned back to look for a blue spray to add to the bunch in her hand. Spying the perfect cornflower-blue cluster, she bent over to pluck it when Millie let out a shriek.
Hattie lurched up, dropping the flowers to the ground, and saw two men approaching them from the very bushes the birds had scattered from. Millie screamed again as the men continued towards her. Hattie’s pulse raced. What was happening?
‘Come to me, Millie!’ Hattie shouted, rushing to Millie. She clutched the little girl’s hand and then moved in front of her to shield her from whoever these odd men were who had emerged from what appeared to be out of nowhere. They moved towards them with purpose and looked strange…while they had the clothes of a farmer, they had fine shoes and the clean-shaven faces of gentlemen. Hattie didn’t know what to make of them, so she started moving backwards slowly. When the men picked up speed and called to her, she turned to Millie. ‘Run as fast as you can to the Manor. Don’t look back. Just run,’ she said firmly, clutching her arms.
Millie paused, her eyes wide with fright. Hattie tried to reassure her with a timid smile. ‘Run inside and point out here to get help. I will distract them. Now go!’
Millie nodded and then darted off. The men exchanged words and one of them peeled off and attempted to go after Millie. Hattie’s heart dropped. Where these men kidnappers? What would they want with a young girl? Perhaps they hoped to collect a ransom from a new duke? Anger replaced her fear and Hattie ran towards the man chasing Millie rather than away. She hoped to intercede and block his progress. She had to give the young girl enough time to reach safety and get help.
‘Miss, I only wish to speak with her,’ he began as Hattie blocked him.
‘Who are you? This is private property. Go! Leave her be!’ Hattie countered, matching his movements in hopes of keeping him away from Millie. He frowned at her.
