Page 20 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
“Miss Robins?” the baritone of the Duke of Barley’s voice inquired from the doorway, “Are you ill?”
Caroline’s head snapped up and her voice—still breathy from her beating heart—rushed out, “No, Your Grace. I am well, thank you for asking.”
“It is after seven o’clock,” he replied while stepping inside the room, his handsome features marred with a frown, “Why are you still in the schoolroom?”
“I...” Caroline paused while debating strongly on what to say next, “I am just adjusting my lesson plans, Your Grace.”
Getting to her feet, Caroline went to tidy up a non-existent mess on her desk. She kept her eyes and emotions down and was silently praying for the Duke to leave but her wishes were denied.
“Miss Robins,” the Duke said calmly, “Something is off with you. Please tell me what it is.”
For a moment, Caroline wondered if she had fallen asleep and somehow woken up in a fantasy. The tone the Duke had in his question felt like an inquiry from a person with an intimate connection with her. Something Caroline had yearned for years but had not gained, even once.
“I do not think it is that important, Your Grace,” Caroline tried again.
The Duke’s head canted to the side and the green of his eyes looked like unfathomable pools. “Did my wife speak to you?”
Caroline’s mind raced while she deceptively stacked some papers as calmly as she could. “Yes, Your Grace, she did.”
“And what did she say?” he asked again.
Looking up from under her eyelashes Caroline felt like she was trapped in a corner and her heart started to pound, “Your Grace, please—”
“Please do not make me order you to tell me, Miss Robins,” the Duke said strongly, but there was an entreating tone of under it. It was as if, instead of ordering her outright, he was pleading with her to tell him.
Caroline closed her eyes and unconsciously wrapped her arms around her middle and swallowed tightly. “I was ordered to make Lord Hayward ready for boarding school this fall at Eton College.”
She literally felt the Duke’s rage, “This fall?Thisfall? We spoke about it, but Nicholas is nowhere near ready to go to boarding school. The application is sent but, by God, he has two more years to go!”
“That is what I tried to press on Her Grace, Your Grace,” Caroline mourned. “But I was told that if he is not prepared by this fall, I will be…removed.” The last word was whispered. “I do not know what I will do or where I will go if I cannot put him on par.”
“You will not have to do a thing, Miss Robins.” The Duke spoke strongly as he came close and grasped her shoulders, forcing her to look directly at him. “And you will not have to go anywhere because she has no power to dismiss you and she will not have it, at any time.”
Caroline felt astonished, grateful, and fearful at the same time.
The Duke’s words were level, but Caroline could hear his controlled anger. “And furthermore, I apologize on her behalf; she had no place to threaten you in such a brutish manner.”
In such close proximity, Caroline couldn’t escape admiring the Duke in his chamber clothes—dark breeches, pristine white shirt and closed waistcoat with the chain of a gold pocket watch accenting his dark waistcoat.
“I do thank you for your efforts, Miss Robins. I have seen notable advancements in both of my children’s lives, educationally and personally,” he added.
A soft blush painted Caroline’s face but she kept her attitude neutral. Despite her efforts, the soft heat coming from him and his proximity sent her stomach into a different kind of upset. “You are welcome, Your Grace.”
The Duke slowly slid his hands from her shoulders, a move which Caroline wanted to imagine was akin to a caress. “Please do not worry about your placement, it is secure here.”
But I am worried about you…
“Your Grace,” Caroline pleaded with worried eyes. “Are you going to confront Her Grace about this issue?”
Something flashed in the Duke’s eyes. “From your tone, I assume that you are fearful about ramming a wedge between me and my wife, but I can assure you, there are more wedges between us than you can imagine. Nevertheless, she cannot be allowed to get on with such conniving acts under my watch and I will not allow it.”
“Your Grace, don’t,” Caroline insisted, even though she knew it was not her place to order the Duke. “Please, for me. Just leave it alone.”
“I will not,” he said staunchly as he moved to the door.
Caroline darted up and blocked the door in a move that would be incomprehensible to many, but the governess was desperate. She had enough hardship with the Duchess already, she didn’t need more—just as the Duke didn’t need more.
“Please.” She begged, with a lock of her hair escaping her tie and brushing her cheek. “For the sake of peace, please do not tell her.”
