Page 37 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
“Then let me buy you some,” he said.
Victoria’s eyes widened. “Oh, that is not necessary, my lord. I have a little money of my own.”
“I insist,” he told her. “Please, allow me to do this, Miss Clifford. It is the least that I owe you.”
Victoria did not understand what he meant, but she decided it was not in her best interests to argue with him. Dropping her hand, she nodded. She flexed her fingers as they tingled where he had touched her.
Lord Harford collected several of the truffles and had them wrapped in paper and taken to the counter so that he could pay for them. Victoria watched him, fascinated and confused. She managed to tear her gaze from him to return her attention to Lily, who was collecting her own treats, but she could not help stealing glances toward Lord Harford the entire time.
Once their business in the sweet shop was complete, they made their way down the street toward the next shop, which turned out to be a bookstore. They stopped inside and looked around, though Lily was not quite as enthusiastic about this shop as she had been about the sweets shop.
As they walked among the bookshelves, Victoria stole looks toward Lord Harford and was startled when, more than once, she caught him looking at her. It made her blush to think he was keeping his eyes on her, and she prayed he was not able to see how red her cheeks were becoming.
With each shop they visited, Lord Harford continued to surprise her by showing her not just courtesy and kindness but…interest. She found herself relaxing in his presence and feeling more at ease to meet his gaze. They chatted and even laughed a few times. As the day went on, they seemed to find ways to be closer and closer to each other. Their hands brushed again and again, and the looks between them grew more and more longing.
Victoria could not understand what was happening, but she was not about to complain. She much preferred this version of Lord Harford to his cold and dismissive one, but she could not fathom how one person could have two such completely different personas.
There was one errand she needed to run that she did not want to alert him to. The letters to her mother and godmother were tucked away in her satchel, and she wished to post them. She did not want Lord Harford to see the letters, as she did not want him to see her mother’s name.
He might recognize it and figure out who Victoria really was. If he realized she was actually an aristocrat, he would most definitely tell his sister and Victoria would likely lose her employment. She needed to figure out a way to excuse herself from Lord Harford and Lily just long enough to take her letters to the post office.
When they stood outside the bakery, an idea struck her.
“Oh, Lord Harford,” she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I am afraid I forgot something.”
Turning, Lord Harford gazed at her with a furrowed brow of concern. “You did? We can go back….”
“No, no, that is not necessary,” she quickly assured him. “I just need to purchase a few ribbons. I can do that myself quickly. You and Miss Lily go on into the bakery and pick out your pastries. I will be right back.”
“If you are certain…” he began, but she shook her head.
“I am very certain,” she insisted. “I will be but a few moments, really.”
Lord Harford appeared as though he wished to say more, but at length, he nodded and said, “All right. We will meet you back here when you are done.”
“Very well,” he replied with a sigh. Glancing down at Lily, whose hand he held, he said, “Come along, sweetheart. Miss Clifford needs to run off quickly, and she will be right back.”
Lily nodded, glancing between Victoria and her uncle. “Do not take too long, Miss Clifford!”
Victoria smiled at the girl and promised, “I will not, Miss Lily. I swear.”
That seemed to appease the child enough that she was willing to go with her uncle. Victoria waited until they had gone into the bakery before she turned and made her way back toward the post office. The sooner she posted the letters and returned them to Lord Harford and Lily, the better. She did not like sneaking around and deceiving Lord Harford, but she felt she had no choice.
Someday she might tell him the truth about who she was…but perhaps that was a dream. A wild dream that would never have a chance of coming true. After all, her siblings would have bright futures, but she had sealed her own fate. A decision she did not regret, but perhaps…perhaps she wished it could be different for her.
But that was not her fate. She would not be a lady in Lord Harford’s eyes but an employee. A servant. No matter how much she may wish it to be otherwise, that was simply the way of things, and that was all right. She would be all right.
Victoria was content with her life.
She had to be.
Chapter 21
“Is she too heavy, my lord?” Miss Clifford asked as they made their way back to the estate.
It was late mid-afternoon, and they had just left the village, having been to nearly every shop there was to visit. Lily, exhausted, had nearly fallen asleep on her feet, so Edward had picked her up to carry her home. She was sleeping soundly, her head resting on his shoulder.
Glancing toward Miss Clifford, he answered, “She weighs next to nothing, Miss Clifford. I am fine. Are you all right carrying the packages?”
