Page 30 of One Night of Surrender
The dowager and Lady Viola entered the drawing room.The former peered at Isabelle with a hooded gaze while the latter came toward her with a broad smile.“Blenheim says you’re staying with us.How lovely!”
The dowager sat in a dark red chair near the hearth and looked directly at her grandson.“Explain.”
“Mrs.Cortland is between employment at the moment, and I’ve hired her to act as Viola’s chaperone.”
Lady Viola made a sound in her throat that was part cough and part gasp, but she said nothing.
“Viola doesn’t need a chaperone,” the dowager said, confirming what Isabelle had said and Val had disputed.
“This will allow you to have more freedom,” Val said.“Anyway, it’s a temporary situation while she secures employment.She can’t very well stay with me.”
“Did Lord Barkley dismiss her?”the dowager asked, causing Isabelle’s breath to catch.“Never mind, I can see he did.”She exhaled, and Isabelle couldn’t tell if she was put out or not.“Run along, then, Eastleigh.I shall handle this.”
What did that mean?Isabelle looked to Val in question, but he was still focused on the dowager.
“It will be so nice to have you here,” Lady Viola said.“Has anyone shown you to your room yet?”When Isabelle shook her head, Lady Viola continued.“Then I shall have the honor.”
Val clapped his hands together.“It looks as though you both have things well in hand.”He bowed toward Isabelle.“I’ll deliver your correspondence straightaway.”
Hewould, or he’d send someone with it?She hoped it was the latter.It would be best if they stayed apart.The temptation to kiss him again—or worse—was too great.Even when he made her angry with his arrogance.
Then he was gone, and the dowager instantly spoke.“Sit, gel.And tell me why Lord Barkley dismissed you.”
Feeling as though she were about to stand trial, Isabelle started toward the dowager.Lady Viola met her halfway and linked her arm through Isabelle’s with an encouraging smile.She guided her to the settee and they sat down together.Lady Viola removed her arm and situated the gauzy lilac skirt of her ball gown so that it draped elegantly over her legs to the floor.It was the finest material Isabelle had ever seen.
All too aware that the dowager awaited her answer, Isabelle folded her hands in her lap.“Lady Barkley hired a governess to replace me.In addition to their regular studies, she will teach the girls music and needlepoint and dancing until they see a dancing master, presumably.”
“Because you cannot.”The dowager’s lips pursed with disapproval.“Perhaps I should hire a governess for you so you can learn how to dance and embroider.”
Isabelle worked to keep her tone even and not defensive.“I know how to dance.”Not well.
“Is this new governess as educated as you are?”the dowager asked.
“No.”
“Then why didn’t Lord Barkley keep you on and hire this other woman in addition?”
“I wondered the same thing, Your Grace.It is my belief that Lady Barkley didn’t care for my closeness with her daughters.”
“Jealous?”The dowager’s lip curled.“A pitiful emotion.One cannot be jealous of a child’s relationship with her governess.If they are fond of her, so much the better.”She eyed Isabelle for a moment as if she were searching for some defect.“Are you certain her jealousy wasn’t due to another source?”
Lady Viola, who was seated closer to the dowager, leaned toward her.“Grandmama, you can’t be insinuating Mrs.Cortland behaved inappropriately with Lord Barkley!”
Isabelle kept her jaw from dropping.But the dowager was correct—in a way.“She was jealous of me,” Isabelle said quietly.“I think it’s possible, anyway.Lord Barkley made it clear it was not his decision to replace me, and that he’d fought for me to stay.”
“For less than magnanimous reasons, I’m sure.”The dowager’s hazel eyes flickered with malice, and Isabelle renewed her vow to never find herself on the woman’s bad side.“I wondered if that were the case.”
“How did you know?”
“I’m exceptionally clever, my dear.One, you are an attractive, intelligent woman, and, if memory serves, Lady Barkley is neither of those things.Second, you did not remain in their employ and now find yourself in a difficult position requiring help from quarters you would probably not normally accept.”
How had the dowager determined all that, particularly the latter?“I am grateful for your assistance,” Isabelle said.She was, even if she hadn’t sought it.
“I’m certain you are, just as I am certain it wounds your pride to have to accept this arrangement.I sized you up within an hour of meeting you, my dear.You may stay as long as necessary, and if you would like assistance with securing a new position, you need only ask.”She rose, and Lady Viola leapt up to help her.
“Do you need help getting upstairs?”Lady Viola asked.
“Not tonight, dear.My aches are much improved today, as they always are when the rain stops.”
