Page 4 of Cinderella's Charade With the Duke
‘No tears,’ Gertrude reminded her, squeezing her forearm.
‘I know,’ Hattie replied with a smile. ‘Sisters for ever, tears never,’ she said in unison with them both before waving goodbye.
She clutched her reticule and walked towards the beautiful black carriage that shimmered in the morning glow like the iridescent dark wings of a crow, holding her single portmanteau and small travel trunk that contained most of the possessions she had in the world. Everything within her shook with terror, but she lifted her head high and took one careful step after another, closing the distance between her and the Duke of Wimberley’s carriage. The unknown had never led to anything good in the past, but she prayed this time would be different. It had to be. She stopped in front of the carriage, released a steadying breath, turned to give a final wave to her friends and introduced herself to the driver.
‘Good day. Mr Sneed said you were waiting for me,’ she began with confidence. ‘I am Miss Hattie Potts, His Grace’s new governess.’
‘Aye, Miss,’ the driver replied with a rolling Scottish burr. ‘My name is Eddie. Let me take yer bag. Then we shall be on our way.’
‘Nice to meet you, Mr…er, Eddie,’ she replied before handing off her bag.
‘Eddie will do, Miss Potts,’ he replied with a wink. ‘No formalities needed with me.’
She chuckled, appreciating that he was attempting to put her at ease.
‘Journey should take two to three days and His Grace has made arrangements for stops at inns along our journey, so ye can rest and the horses recover.’
She thought of the two lone coins in her reticule. Her cheeks warmed. ‘I do not know if I have the funds for such arrangements,’ she replied, clutching her reticule tightly.
‘Already paid for, Miss Potts. Ye need not worry.’
She nodded and released a chuckle of relief. ‘Thank you. I appreciate His Grace’s generosity.’
‘Aye. That he is. I’ll take this, Miss,’ Eddie replied with a smile. He gathered her portmanteau and small trunk under one arm and secured them in the bridle box on the back of the carriage.
She wanted to ask him if her employer was also a kind man, but pressed her lips together instead. Surely a question would be impertinent to ask. The man wouldn’t dare say anything cross about his employer in front of her anyway and, if His Grace was a difficult man, it wouldn’t surprise her. Not really. Weren’t most wealthy people?
Did it matter? She set aside her worry for now. She would simply enjoy the beautiful journey along the countryside, watch the scenery, nap and, if possible, enjoy the three volumes of the book she had brought along with her. They were used copies of the romantic novel titledPride and Prejudice, a gift fromGertrude and Ophelia. They had saved up to purchase it for her to enjoy along her journey.
Eddie returned and tipped his hat to her with a nod. ‘There is a blanket on the side of the seat in case ye get chilled, Miss Potts. If ye have need of anything else as we travel, just give a couple of solid taps to the roof.’ He opened the carriage door for her and offered his hand to help her inside. She scanned the lush crimson interior. It was simply the most beautiful carriage she had ever seen. She accepted his hand, stepped up and settled into the soft, velvet-burgundy squabs. The door closed gently behind her and she sighed, dashing aside all worries from her mind. With a light snap of the reins, the horses lurched forward and they were off.
Thiswas finally her chance for an adventure.
Chapter Two
William paced along the rug that lined the far wall of his study and scrubbed a hand down his freshly shaven face. Mrs Chisholm’s visit to share with him the ‘latest developments’ as she called them, regarding the upcoming ball he was hosting, had only heightened his nerves about the event. He stopped cold and cursed.
What was he to do now? The truth of it was he could do absolutely nothing. The invitations for the ball at Blithe Manor had been sent out without a single decline. He smirked. But in all fairness, who would dare reject the new Duke’s invitation to celebrate his succession?
Ironically, he would if he could.
But hewasthe Duke to celebrate, so there was no way through it but forward. At least that was not his immediate concern. He had almost a fortnight before that horrid event would come to pass. He resumed his pacing. Today was the day the new governess was set to arrive and he couldn’t help but be nervous about that event as well. What if she was horrid and cold? Or overbearing without a hint of joy within her?
Millie deserved a warm, gentle creature to nurture her in contrast to the rather cool, distant mother Cecily had been. Like their marriage, Cecily had appeared to be the perfect mother,full of beauty and grace to others, but at home she rarely sought out their daughter for walks, cuddles or games. After Millie was born, Cecily couldn’t wait to deposit her with the wet nurse and be on with her ‘other affairs’ as she called them.
Little did he know she had meant it—quite literally, in fact.
Cecily had been the equivalent of a fine bauble in a shop, for she was quite glorious to look upon through a window and could enamour anyone from afar. It was only up close when one attempted to uncover all her secrets and know the truth of her that her coldness, cruelty and imperfections were revealed. If he hadn’t been so smitten and rushed along their engagement, he would have discovered it, so he had only himself to blame.
The familiar sadness, anger and regret washed over him. How he wished he had taken his time before marrying and had had a different life. He smiled. But with a different life, he wouldn’t have had Millie and he wouldn’t change having his beautiful daughter for the world. She kept him tethered to what was important and what mattered.
He released a slow, steady breath as he remembered that. Perhaps they could build a different life if he garnered some patience and courage. He hoped this new governess was the first step to a new beginning for them all.
He closed his eyes and prayed the woman arriving today would be kind, young and accepting of his daughter. He had intentionally placed a generic advertisement in several of the news sheets outside London for a governess for a two-week trial to test the woman’s compatibility with Millie…and to make sure he didn’t rush into another hasty commitment.
He had omitted any information about the position being for the new Duke of Wimberley to avoid any ladies who merely wished notoriety. Those who answered the advertisement were asked to then write about why they wished to be a governess forhis daughter. Miss Potts’s answer had been the most intriguing of the bunch and thus her invitation for employment.
Once she had accepted the terms of her trial employment, the date had been set for her arrival and William had sent his driver Eddie to chariot her to Blithe Manor, not only for her protection but to ensure privacy. One couldn’t gossip of an upcoming position as governess to a new duke alone in his private carriage, but one could in a stagecoach. Travelling by private coach was a way to ensure the news of her arrival was minimised and not more public fodder to be digested by theton. Once she arrived, she would serve as governess for two weeks. Then he could commit to a longer contract or simply end her employment without issue. Either way he was spared.
