Page 18 of The Defiant Governess
Saybrook’s eyebrow shot up. “You must be joking, Miss Langley. Peter is terrified of horses.”
“Was,” corrected Jane, a little more sharply than she intended. “Peterwasterrified of horses, as was only natural. But he has overcome his fear. It would be … very much appreciated if you would be present to watch him.”
A portly gentleman with wispy grey hair and a reddened face that bespoke of too much claret was gesturing at Saybrook with the tip of his gold chased cane. Beside him, two ladies looking dreadfully out of place in the latest London fashions added their smiles to the gentleman’s entreaties.
Saybrook nodded his greetings. “Thank you, Miss Langley. Now, if you will excuse me.” He turned and walked to meet the other group.
Jane could barely restrain from directing a kick at his well-tailored rump.Dismissed again in such an insolent manner!Well, at least she had accomplished her task. It was really of no consequence how he treated her as long as Peter was happy.
The parson had begun to speak and she remained where she was, casting a sideways look every so often at Saybrook and his friends. After exchanging pleasantries, he had gracefully stepped into the proffered space between the two ladies. On second glance, one of them appeared much older than the other.Mother and daughter, she guessed.Or mother, daughter andfather, she added to herself. No doubt they were angling after the marquess, judging from the effusive smiles and simpering manner of the ladies. With his title and lands he would be quite a catch on the Marriage Mart. The fact that he had been abroad for so long accounted for the fact that she had not known who he was.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the crowd began to move off once the parson finished his speech. The scent of savory pies filled the air, as did the lilting notes of the fiddlers. Farmers drifted to the exhibition of livestock while their wives and children clustered around the displays of ribbons and sweets. Jane stayed where she was. She had always enjoyed the sights and sounds of a country fair and was now taking a moment to drink it all in. And of course, she had to admit that she wanted the satisfaction of seeing the haughty marquess accede to her request.
To her shock, however, she saw him move off with the gentleman and two ladies, not in the direction of the riding but towards an area where long trestle tables had been set up next to a group of laughing farmhands dispensing ale and mulled cider. She remained rooted to the ground for a moment, unable to believe that anyone could be so selfish and cruel. In her mind’s eye, she could picture the look of dejection on Peter’s face, and the slump of his shoulders as he once again experienced the pain of rejection.
The thought of it goaded her into action.
With nary a regard for the propriety of her actions she hurried after the marquess’s party. Coming up close behind them, she called out firmly, “Lord Saybrook, may I have a word with you—in private, if you please.”
All four of them turned around, different degrees of surprise registering on their faces.
The gentleman frowned at Jane’s temerity, while his wife exclaimed,” Well, I never … Whoisthis woman?”
Saybrook had a faintly sardonic smile on his face as he seemed to ponder just how great a scene Jane would cause if he refused her request. “My ward’s governess.”
“Such unforgivable manners! Turn her out instantly,” said the woman as if Jane wasn’t there. “I shall be more than happy to give you my recommendations?—”
Saybrook interrupted her. “I trust you will excuse me for a moment.”
The woman gave an aggrieved sniff and turned on her heel, taking her husband by the arm. As the younger woman turned as well, Jane realized with a start that she knew her.
Lady Matilda Farrington.A flighty, insipid girl now entering her second Season. Jane had seen her at various routs and ball, and of course Almack’s, and had disliked her instantly. The girl was one of those creatures who flirted shamelessly with gentleman with a title, young or old. There was, however, no need to fear recognition. Lady Matilda didn’t even deign to look at her as she lifted her elegant skirts and swooshed after her parents.
Saybrook followed Jane a little way off, out of hearing of anyone around them. Still white hot with pent-up anger, Jane launched into a tirade with not a thought as to what she was saying.
“It is beyond belief,” she hissed, “that one man can be so selfish, so unfeeling, so … monstrous! Whether you choose to treat your acquaintances and your servants with disdain—oh, I see the haughty sneer on your face—is entirely your own concern. But that you would deliberately hurt a child is outside of enough! Are you too blind to see that Peter is craving for your notice, though Lord knows why! If you don’t take a few minutes of your precious time to do your duty as a guardian …”
She was so beside herself that she didn’t know quite how to finish the sentence. “Ooooo,” she sputtered, “If I were a man, I’d horsewhip you!”
Saybrook had gone rigid and his face was absolutely drained of color.
“And you needn’t bother telling me I’m turned out!” she added. “I will pack immediately.”
Turning on her heel, she stalked off, not bothering to note the marquess’s reaction. Now that she had vented her anger she felt drained, almost too weak to walk. But she took a deep breath and kept her chin up, refusing to let him see her waver.
She made her way to where Henry had tethered the horses.Had she really said such inflammatory things to the marquess?She was lucky he hadn’t called the constables to haul her off to Bedlam. With a sigh, she had to admit that her brother was right—there were times when she could be quite … rash.
Before mounting, she looked to where the riding competition was taking place. Peter was in the middle of the ring, trotting in a neat circle. She felt a rush of pride at how straight he sat in the saddle and how well he guided his pony. From the corner of her eye she saw Saybrook leaning stiffly against the fence, watching as well. So, at least she had accomplished something—other than getting turned out without references! Peter would be in raptures, no matter that it was a false happiness.
The judges suddenly motioned Peter towards a little jump standing at one end of the ring. Jane bit her lip in alarm. Peter had never attempted such a thing, but he was cantering towards it with nary a hesitation. Up went Tarquin, and for a moment it seemed that the boy would be left behind. But he regained his balance and kept his seat. The small crowd burst into applause. So did Saybrook. Peter reined in close to his guardian, a shy smile on his face. To her great surprise, the marquess vaultedover the fence and patted Peter on the back. Even from where she was, she could see the happiness on the boy’s face.
Well, she thought, at least the man could do his duty handsomely if he tried.
Peter was awarded a blue ribbon, then walked his horse, with Saybrook still at its head, toward where the marquess’s stallion was tethered. Jane sighed and mounted her own horse. She had enjoyed it at Highwood.Now what was she to do?On the ride back, she rued her impetuous tongue. Once again, it had landed her in the suds.
Jane sat on her bed,surveying the meager pile of belonging ready to be packed in her small trunk. She suddenly realized that she didn’t have enough money for the coach ride back to her father’s estate, even if she took outside passage. Certainly, there was nothing for an inn. To be sure, she was owed some payment for the time she had spent at Highwood, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask Saybrook for anything. With a frown of dismay she wondered whether she might have to sleep in a field tonight. After all, she hadn’t yet decided whether to go home.
But what else was she to do?
