Page 53 of The Defiant Governess
“P-Please don’t ring a peal over my head just yet,” she begged. “I am tired. I am hungry.” She paused. “I-Is Papa here?”
“Indeed he is,” replied Thomas, throwing one arm over her shoulder. “Forgive me. It’s just that I’ve been so worried about you.” He grinned. “And I’ve found that I missed you for our curricle races—no one else can drive my grays as well!”
She hugged him. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“Well, shall we seek the bear in his den? Or do you wish to change first?”
“I think it would be best to get it over with,” she sighed.
The duke was so engrossed with his correspondence that he didn’t hear them enter. Jane was shocked to see how much he had aged, and how careworn he looked.
Thomas cleared his throat. “Papa, someone wishes an audience.”
“I’m very busy. Tell them to come back at decent visiting hours,” groused the duke. And then he looked up.
Drawing in a sharp hiss of breath, he half rose in his chair, then his legs seemed to fail him and he fell back, clutching at the carved arms until his knuckles turned white. A wave of emotion washed over his face, and it took him a moment to compose himself. “Well, missy. So you have seen fit to come back to us?” His tone was gruff but there were tears in his eyes.
“Oh, Papa.” She rushed to his side and threw her arms around him. “I’m so, so sorry,” she whispered.
He stroked her hair over and over again. “As am I.”
Jane reinedMidnight to a halt at the crest of the ridge. Her face was tinged a rosy color from the brisk gallop in the crisp morning air and puffs of vapor followed each breath. The big horse stamped at the ground, impatient to be off again, but Jane lingered, taking in the view of the freshly mown field and stretches of forest already turning a rich autumnal hue.
“Oh, how wonderful to be back at Avanlea,” she sighed, though deep down a twinge of sadness kept her joy from being complete.
Thomas had halted beside her. “So, when am I to hear the full story? Just where did you sojourn over these past months?
She shook her head as she stroked Midnight’s mane. “Not now. Maybe later.”
“You’ve always confided in me about everything,” he exclaimed, a hurt look in his eyes. “Every adventure, every childish prank.”
“Perhaps I have changed. Perhaps I am not a child anymore.”
He regarded her sharply. “Very well.” He gathered his reins. “Are you, by any chance, in love?”
“W-What makes you ask that?” she demanded as he prepared to ride off.
“Oh come now, do you take me for such an addlepated fellow? I know you better than anyone! You’re right—youhavechanged. You stare into the fire sadly when you think no one is watching. You have to be spoken to twice to catch your attention. Your thoughts are far from here.”
She blushed and hung her head, unable to answer.
“You can talk to me, you know. I won’t breath a word to anyone—especially Papa,” he continued. “Is it an impossible match? Or, heaven forfend, is he married?”
He cleared his throat. “I hope you haven’t been rash enough …”
Her head shot up. “Thomas! How could you think such a thing!”
It was his turn to color. “I only … I didn’t …” he stammered. “Dash it all, I’m sorry!”
Jane reached over and patted his arm. “Thank you, I know you mean well. But there is nothing for you to do.”
“If it is an unequal match, perhaps I can talk to Papa for you. Despite what has happened, he only wants for you to be happy, as do I. If he truly felt the two of you would suit, I think he would give his blessing, despite a difference in rank or fortune. I just hope,” he added, “that it is not a groom or footman. That may be beyond even my powers of persuasion.”
Jane smiled in spite of herself. “You’ve changed, too. I hadn’t realized I had such a protective big brother. You are usually the one encouraging me to land in the suds.”
“A country curate?” he probed, refusing to be distracted.
“There is nothing to discuss with Papa. There is no match, intended or otherwise. Please forget about where I have been. It is what I intend to do. And now, I promised Nanna I’d bring her some of Mrs. Hawley’s horehound drops.”
