Page 35 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
“Oh…well…that is not what I meant, my lord ….”
“I am quite busy, Miss Clifford,” he snapped, turning his horse away. “I must return to my task. Good day.”
“Good…good day, my lord,” she said, her voice barely discernible as he started to ride away.
Edward gritted his teeth and clenched his fingers more tightly around his reins. He was so irritated – almost angry. He had been a fool to let his guard down with Miss Clifford even a little bit. He should know better. What in the world was the matter with him?
As he rode away from her, he could not help feeling some regret at how he had acted toward her, but he quickly pushed that guilt away. He needed to remain fortified against her appeal. He should be grateful that he was able to remember such an important truth before he allowed himself to fall further for her charms.
Women could not be trusted, even Miss Clifford. They were always hiding something…always lying about something. It was part of their very nature, and he would not allow himself to forget that again.
Chapter 20
“Can we get candy while we are in the village, Miss Clifford?”
Smiling down at Lily, who was practically skipping next to her, Victoria answered, “Your mother has given us a bit of money to spend, so we can stop and get a little bit.”
Lily let out a cry of delight that made Victoria chuckle. It was several days since her initial trip to the village, and she had decided that Lily would enjoy seeing it for herself. With Mrs Radcliffe’s permission, Victoria and Lily were going to walk to the village and take some time to explore it. Victoria was looking forward to the outing, as she was somewhat eager to get out of the manor.
Lord Harford had been cool and distant ever since their strange encounter at the pond, and she was not certain why he was so cross with her. What had she done? She did not know, and she could not begin to think of anything she could have done in that brief interaction.
The rest of the family remained pleasant and kind to her, but Lord Harford’s attitude had completely changed, and it was rather unnerving. She did not know if anyone else in the house could feel the tension between them, but it was becoming rather suffocating for her.
An outing with Lily was just what she needed.
Suddenly, Lily began tugging on Victoria’s hand and exclaimed, “Miss Clifford! Look! There is Uncle Edward!”
Victoria stiffened and reluctantly looked in the direction Lily was pointing. Indeed, Lord Harford was standing just outside the stables, talking to one of the grooms.
“He looks busy, Lily….” Victoria began, but the little girl let go of her hand and rushed toward Lord Harford before she could finish speaking.
“Uncle Edward! Uncle Edward!” Lily cried out.
Lord Harford looked in Lily’s direction and smiled. Victoria was not sure he had noticed her presence yet, but she hesitantly followed after her charge, nervous about interacting with the man in any way.
“Good day, Lily,” Lord Harford said, holding out his hand so Lily could grab it. “What are you up to today?”
“Miss Clifford and I are going to the village,” Lily explained, pointing back at Victoria. Lord Harford glanced up but barely looked at Victoria.
His apparent dismissal stung, but she did not say a word. She kept a short distance away from him and Lily and kept her eyes downturned, choosing not to involve herself in the conversation.
“That is very exciting,” Lord Harford said to Lily.
“Will you come with us, Uncle Edward?” Lily asked, her eyes going wide with the idea.
Lord Harford appeared momentarily taken aback, and Victoria’s heart thundered in her chest. She wanted to speak up and try to make some excuse as to why Lord Harford did need to accompany them, but she bit her tongue. Surely he would not take Lily up on her request. He was making it no secret that he wanted nothing to do with Victoria for whatever reason, and so she assured herself that he would tell the little girl no.
“Are you certain you want me to come?” he asked.
Lily nodded. “Yes! Please come, uncle. Miss Clifford said we could get candy!”
“Oh, is that so?” Lord Harford chuckled. “Then I would be foolish not to come along, would I not?”
Victoria was stunned. Was he going to come with them? What in the world was going through his mind? Victoria had been certain he would say no…
“Miss Clifford, Uncle Edward is coming with us!” Lily declared in clear excitement.
Victoria knew she had to put on a happy face for the girl and so forced as bright of a smile as she could muster.
