Page 55 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
What had he seen in her to fall so completely that her rejection had left him so crushed? Apart from her looks, Victoria could find no redeeming qualities about the woman that would explain her relationship with Lord Harford.
The door to the shop suddenly opened again, and a man walked inside. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and his colouring matched Cressida’s. They could have been twins, in truth. He looked around, and when his gaze settled on Cressida, he made his way over to stand next to her.
“What is taking you so long, Cressida?” he asked in a frustrated tone. “I am tired of waiting.”
Cressida rolled her eyes. “I will only be another moment. Do you have no patience?”
“None,” he sighed, then turned his attention to Emily and Victoria. “Ah, Mrs Radcliffe. What a pleasant surprise. You are looking as lovely as ever.”
Emily narrowed her eyes and coldly replied, “Thank you, my lord.”
“And who is this lovely creature accompanying you?” the man asked, glancing toward Victoria.
In the same icy tone, Emily answered, “This is Miss Victoria Clifford. Miss Clifford, this is Mr Alvin Hutches…Cressida’s brother.”
“Do not waste your time with this one, Alvin,” Cressida grumbled. “She is a servant.”
“I am the nanny for Mrs Radcliffe’s daughter,” Victoria said, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop herself. She just could not help but defend herself. She was no mere servant.
“Oh, is that so?” Mr Hutches murmured, his eyes widening with interest as he gazed at her. Victoria did not like the lecherous gleam in his stare. “My, my…I wish my nannies had looked like you when I was a boy.”
Victoria was stunned and disgusted by the comment. Emily released a hiss of breath, and her expression made it clear she also did not take kindly to how he spoke to Victoria. As much as Victoria wanted to say something and chide him for his rudeness, she dared not speak a word. Emily would not say anything either. She was certain. Such a confrontation would only cause gossip, especially given the history between the two families.
The air was thick with tension, and Victoria did not know what she or Emily should do to extract themselves from this unpleasant conversation. As her mind scrambled to come up with some type of escape, the door to the shop opened once more, and Lord Harford strolled inside.
***
He had not expected an overly exciting time having tea with Emily and Miss Clifford. A pleasant time, possibly…an awkward time, most definitely. Things between him and Miss Clifford remained strained, but he was going to make an attempt at civility. A relaxing afternoon of tea might just be the thing to put things at ease between them.
When he walked into the modiste, however, he knew the peaceful afternoon he had hoped for was no longer possible. As he walked inside, he spotted Emily and Miss Clifford…with Cressida and her brother. They had not noticed him walk inside, and as he stood there, trying to make sense of the scene before him, Alvin spoke.
“Where does one come upon such a lovely nanny?” the fool chuckled. “I have no children of my own, but if I ever do, I would not mind having one so fair as you.”
Rage exploded within Edward at Alvin’s crude remarks, and he fought to keep his emotions in check, balling his hands into fists at his sides. He could not fight the man in the modiste in front of the ladies. The scandal would spread like wildfire through the Ton, and his family would never be able to shake the embarrassment.
At that moment, Cressida glanced up and spotted him. Her sour expression grew instantly sweet as she smiled at him. Edward narrowed his eyes at her, not falling for that innocent façade of hers again.
“Edward!” she called, moving toward him. Emily and Miss Clifford watched her approach him, neither looking pleased. When Cressida reached him, she laid her hand on his arm. It was everything he could do not to yank out of her grasp, but again, he did not wish to cause a scene. “It is so good to see you, darling. I have missed you.”
“Is that so?” he grumbled, not looking at her. His eyes were locked on Alvin, who kept looking at Miss Clifford. Given his rude comment, Edward did not like that he was paying so much attention to her.
“Of course it is,” Cressida purred, giving his arm a squeeze. “I would not lie about that.”
Alvin turned his gaze to Edward at last and declared with a wide smile, “Ah, Harford, old friend. How were your travels?”
Edward clenched his teeth as his anger continued to grow. What were these two playing at, acting as though they were all old friends? Pretending they did not remember exactly what it was Cressida had done to him?
“They were fine,” he answered through gritted teeth. “Just fine.”
“It is so good to have you back,” Cressida cooed. “London just was not the same without you.”
He ignored her simpering, empty compliments. He knew why she was acting so cosy with him. The gossip at his gentleman’s club was rife with rumours that his old friend Andrew had not been seen in the city for some time. Everyone was coming to believe that he had jilted Cressida.
She was apparently without her immediately wealthy suitor, and so here she was, trying to catch hold of him once more. Her efforts would, of course, be in vain, however. He was not a man to be fooled twice by the same underhanded scheming.
Looking up at Emily and Miss Clifford, Edward said, “We should be going now. Have you completed your business here?”
Emily nodded. “Yes, we have. Lily will likely be arriving home soon as well. I want to get there before she does.”
