Page 58 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
“No fever, thank goodness,” the lady murmured. “I am sorry you do not feel well. You should most definitely stay in bed. Do not worry about a thing. I will take care of Lily, and I will have some hot tea sent up to you. How does that sound?”
Victoria’s guilt grew at Emily’s instant kindness and compassion, but she simply could not face the day. Could not risk the chance of seeing Lord Harford again.
“That sounds perfect,” she answered softly. “Thank you so much.”
Emily gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded. “Rest up now. I will come back to check on you later.”
She gave Victoria a comforting pat on the shoulder and turned to make her way back to the door. Victoria watched her go, her stomach twisting. Once Emily had left and shut the door behind her, Victoria pulled the blankets up over her head and buried herself deep within the bedding, determined not to come out for the remainder of the day.
***
As much as she wanted to, Victoria knew she could not stay in bed two days in a row. No matter how upset she was with Lord Harford, she could not neglect her duties. That was not fair to Emily or to Lily.
However, as the days crawled by, she found her contentment with her position, and the household had been tarnished. The confrontation with Lord Harford left a nasty taste in her mouth that lingered, despite the fact that she did not see him again for nearly two days. She did not find as much joy in her time with Lily as before, nor did she feel as comfortable around Emily.
It was as though Lord Harford’s treatment of her had tainted everything about her position and her relationship with his family. She could not be around them without thinking of him.
There was no way she could deny it…she cared for Lord Harford. Deeply. More than she would have thought possible upon first meeting him. She did not think she would be able to put aside her feelings for him easily…if at all.
That Friday, Emily was hosting an afternoon tea with several ladies who brought along their daughters to play with Lily. While the ladies sat together in the garden, Victoria watched over the children as they played nearby.
They were close enough that Victoria could hear what the ladies were talking about, but she did not much care. It was the usual talk of upper-class ladies – what dress styles were in fashion, which ladies were considered popular, and which gentlemen were single and the most eligible.
Victoria paid little attention to the talk until she heard one of the ladies say Cressida’s name.
“Emily, is it true that Cressida has set her eyes on your brother once again?”
Victoria froze, her whole body tensing and her heart hammering. She could not help herself and listened as they continued with their gossip.
“She may have her eyes on him, but that is all she will have of him,” Emily hissed.
“Are you so certain?” another of the ladies asked. “Rumors are flying that she believes the two of them all but engaged.”
Victoria glanced over her shoulder at the four ladies, clenching her hands into fists. This could not be true…could it?
No, absolutely not. Emily would know about it if it were true.
Would she not?
“Ridiculous,” Emily snapped. “It simply is not true. My brother has wiped his hands of Cressida. He would not let himself be humiliated by her again.”
Victoria felt a surge of relief wash over her…but then the first lady spoke again.
“Were they not seen at Lady Mayfield’s soiree two nights ago?”
“What?” Emily gasped. “What are you talking about?”
“I did not see it for myself,” the lady assured her. “But that is what I heard from Lady Phillips.”
Victoria felt the blood drain from her face and her whole body go cold.
Cressida and Lord Harford were seen together? In public?
He would know such an encounter would get the rumour mill swirling. What in the world could he have been thinking?
Does he think about me at all?
Or was his mind completely focused on Cressida? Was she luring him back into her clutches?
