Page 31 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“There is always a good reason why you and I should be together, Phillip,” she answered, her tone dripping with seduction.
He had concluded that Lady Davina would have done well on a stage because she added drama to everything. She had one of those extroverted personalities that actors always seemed to have, always needing to be the centre of attention.
“And that reason is?” he dared to put his question to her.
“Why else but to introduce you to the nobility, of course,” she said, answering him as if he were stupid for not understanding. “While we are out and about, we willaccidentallybump into our neighbouring gentry. They have a promenade in the town, and that is where I will ensure we meet lots of those young ladies. They will all adore you as much as I do. I am not quite done with you yet, Phillip. There is still much work to be done to find you that bride.”
“Of course, there is, and I thank you for that, Davina,” Phillip said, though he wasn’t looking forward to spending the day with her. “Let us set forth then and meet with these lords and ladies. The Haroth estate will once again become the focus of attention among the gentry.”
* * *
In the carriage ride to Harrogate, Lady Davina managed her continual chatter all the way. Not once did she mention the children or the governess, much to his relief. But an hour or so of her constant voice was more than his ears could take, so it was a relief to arrive and disembark from the carriage.
Lady Davina was a woman of her word on most occasions, and they headed straight for the promenade. She’d dressed well for it and walked along with her arm hooked inside the duke’s elbow, making sure to be seen with him.
“We walk for exercise and fashion,” she said, her hips swaying as she still chattered by his side. “I will nod at the passing ladies, so play along once I get them into a conversation.”
“Is that not a little underhand, speaking with people you do not yet know?” he asked, not sure of her tactics.
“Not at all,” she answered, her nose stuck up in the air as she floated along. “This is a social event whereby we are all here to be seen. More importantly, to be envied,” she said, laughing out loud at nothing but her own words if only to capture the attention of others.
For the most part, it worked out well. Lady Davina soon pulled in other people with her voice and flamboyant gestures.
“Are they not the most delightful and odd-looking flowers, Your Grace? I wonder what they are?”she questioned out loud so that all around would hear her voice.
As it happened, those around them were keen to join in their conversation and explain what the flowers were, as is the nature of people.
“I wonder how we will find our way to the Stray gardens?”she called out again for the same reason, a little further on.
As was intentional that the people around heard her questions, so they would come to assist and witness her with the Duke of Haroth. A topic of gossip, so she hoped.
Everywhere they strolled, Lady Davina hooked her arm in his and overacted her part. Phillip went along because it was a tactic that seemed to work, and he was starting to recognise the faces he’d seen at previous events. He had to admit that she’d done her job well. The gentry was getting to know who the new Duke of Haroth was.
They went to take seats in an open tea parlour, where they sampled the local spa water, said to be healthy and tasty. As it happened, he wasn’t that fond of the taste. Today had been all about being seen. For the most part, he played along with the show, listening in here and there to bits of conversation Lady Davina had with the elite.
“His Grace has not been in the country long, but he will get around to hosting a ball very soon …”
“Oh, His Grace would be honoured to attend your soiree. Do send us an invitation …”
“Am I his fiancée? Hahaha ….”
“Yes, His Grace and I know each other very well … I presently help with the running of Haroth Hall …”
Some of what she said wasn’t quite the truth, but he said nothing. It was better to allow her to take the lead in conversations he didn’t particularly want to have anyway. He needed to be accepted by the local gentry; he knew that, though business and wealth were all quite secure, so he didn’t need to be overly familiar with them.
And anyway, it was mainly the ladies who were out and about, so he had little interest in joining in. It all seemed like a necessary evil to get them to introduce him to their husbands.
But he was pleased when, finally, they returned to Haroth Hall.
When Phillip found out he was to be the heir to the dukedom of Haroth, he hadn’t wanted to take on the role, preferring life on the plantations. As far as he was concerned, the West Indies was his home, and he’d always thought he would stay there until old age. It was Eli who’d reminded him of his brother’s children after reading the solicitor’s legal correspondence.
And so, he’d agreed to go to England, but only if his friend came with him. They hadn’t been able to travel together, but Eli had soon followed. He kept his promise of helping his master sort out the Haroth Estate and secure the children’s future.
Never had he thought he would fall in love when he got to England. But when he first saw Miss Alice, he knew she had captured his heart. That first evening when they had spoken in the parlour, his admiration for her grew, especially having to contend with the rather catty Lady Davina. All the while, he kept giving her encouraging smiles, to keep up her courage.
“We spent the entire day together, did we not, Phillip?” Lady Davina’s droning voice burst into his thoughts as he sat at the dinner table with Mr Eli and Miss Alice. “Phillip has made so many new friends that he will never wish to leave England again. I cannot wait to organise that ball I kept promising everyone; it is imperative that we keep to our word.”
“A ball?” Mr Eli questioned, looking over at Phillip in surprise.
