Page 5 of Cinderella's Charade With the Duke
If she ever arrived.
William pulled out his father’s old, burnished silver pocket watch. It was already almost noon. He muttered under his breath and tucked the watch back in his lucky navy waistcoat pocket. Eddie and his charge were late, no doubt still hampered by the wet spring roads. William returned to pacing, now understanding full well why his father had worn a similar path in this very rug. On days such as this he missed his father more than ever.
Millie burst into the room through the open study door and crashed into his legs, hugging his knee. Miss Bellows reached the doorway moments later, her face flushed and out of breath.
‘Apologies, Your Grace. She wished to see you,’ she rushed out. ‘I believe she might be a bit nervous about today,’ she added.
He nodded and ran a hand over Millie’s dark hair.
‘Please do take a break, Miss Bellows. I will sit with Millie for a while until our new governess arrives.’
‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ she replied and left the room.
Millie tightened her hold on his leg and looked up at him, her eyes wide and uncertain.
William smiled at her reaction, for Millie was as shy of strangers as he was about the prospect of having a future bride. She was her father’s daughter, and he would never begrudge her for it. ‘It is time, my sweet. And think of her as a new friend to learn from and explore with. I believe you will like her if her letter is any indication of her kindness. Shall I read it to you?’
Millie nodded.
He clutched her hand, grabbed the letter from his desk and they walked over to his large, oversized chair. She clambered up his leg and settled in his lap. He cleared his throat and began reading aloud.
Dear Sir,
I am eager for an opportunity to serve as your new governess for your daughter, even if it is only a trial. In response to your enquiry, I would teach your daughter as I have learned about the world as an orphan. I would help her learn not only through books, but through experiences, for what better way is there to understand the world than to immerse yourself in its mysteries from whatever perspective you are given?
Growing up in the country with such humble means without formal schooling has allowed me the opportunity to explore history and nature by wandering through it to find those things that interest me. I then find books to learn more about those subjects. While I cannot often afford to purchase those books on my own, I have found others kind enough to loan me books on topics that interest me, which has led me to have a vast and perhaps unusual education.
Thank you for considering me for the position and for the opportunity to serve as governess for your daughter.
Kindly,
Miss Hattie Potts
The woman hadn’t known he was a duke when she’d written her simple, honest reply and it was her short, direct answer that had moved him. Compared to the other letters full of boastful experiences with past employers or self-assured confidence in their qualifications to serve in such a position, Miss Potts’s subtle uncertainty and openness of her past as an orphan had intrigued him.
He believed she would understand Millie and her difficulties around losing Cecily since Miss Potts had lived through such a childhood and he hoped he was right. Millie sat quietly in his lap after he finished reading her the letter. She toyed with his loosened cravat.
‘I know it has been just us for a while. Let us give her a chance, shall we?’
She studied him for a minute and then gave him a small nod before cuddling into his side. He hugged her tightly, closed his eyes and prayed Miss Potts wouldn’t be yet another disappointment for his daughter to heal from.
William had all but given up on the arrival of Miss Potts when he heard the familiar sound of horses’ hooves clip-clopping on the drive hours later as he worked in his study on settling this month’s accounts. He glanced up to see the familiar black carriage turning into the long drive leading up to Blithe Manor.Finally. He exhaled in relief, shrugged on his jacket and sighed.
His pulse quickened and his gut churned with unease. He hoped he’d made the right decision.Everything would be fine.He almost snorted at his attempt at self-deception. Very little in his life had worked out anything close tofineas of late.
Anticipation along with a bit of dread greeted him at the thought of meeting her.
He exited his study and moved with purpose down the grand staircase, letting his hand slide down the smooth, polished rail before stepping into a glistening marble hall. His housekeeper, Mrs Chisholm, sent the staff scurrying to their places and his butler, Mr Simmons, sniffed and sent one last disapproving glance William’s way. The older man had served under his father and was less than pleased with the selection for governess William had made. Mr Simmons wished for William to have selected a woman with more formal schooling and standing. A stranger from Stow was not his idea of a role model for ‘Lady Millie’ as he now called her. He was loath to remember Millie was only five years old and far from being a lady expected to know the ins and outs of being the daughter of a duke.
‘Your Grace,’ Mr Simmons said as he opened the door for William.
‘Simmons,’ William replied as he adjusted his jacket, hoping the old man wasn’t right and that William hadn’t blundered yet another aspect of being a father.
He walked down the large cascading stone steps to the gravel drive, his heart thundering in his chest.Please let her look the part of a governessand, above all else, please let Millie love her.
The mud-splattered carriage came to a rocking halt, the wheels caked heavily in muck. Just as William had expected, the weather must have hampered their journey. Eddie jumped down from his driver’s box to settle the horses as a young footman rushed forward to open the carriage door. William held his breath, his chest tightening in anticipation as the door eased open.
He could have sworn the whole household took a collective breath.
