Page 47 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
He didn’t bother to reply. Sooner or later, he would be rid of that woman.
Chapter 24
“Does anyone know why Miss Alice has not joined us for dinner this evening?” Phillip asked Mr Eli and Lady Davina, wondering if she’d left word with either of them.
“I have not seen her today,” Mr Eli remarked.
Phillip glanced over at Lady Davina, wondering if she might have something to do with the governess’s absence.
“Do not look at me in that way. I have not seen her either,” Lady Davina said, showing no guilt or regret of anything. “Your governess takes far too many liberties if she always disappears.”
Phillip wasn’t going to respond to the comment. His stepsister was annoying him more and more lately.
“I instructed her to take a trip outdoors today to help with her recovery. Though I thought she would have returned by now,” he said, not even bothering to look at Lady Davina for a response. “She was very brave in her actions, and I wanted her to recuperate while Beatrice is still bedbound.”
As expected, his stepsister had to have her say. “That depends on how you look upon her actions, Phillip. I, for one, believe she was rather stupid for going out in that storm.”
He snapped back at her without hesitation, “Had she not brought the physician, Beatrice would have suffered much worse than she did. It was a blessing that Miss Alice acted so quickly. Now then, I am going up to see the children and wish them goodnight.”
With that, he stood up and bowed his head before departing. Not that his stepsister deserved his respect, but his friend, Mr Eli, did.
Arriving at the top of the main stairway, he could hear laughter coming from the children’s bedchamber, and it pleased him to hear such joy. The door was ajar, so he stepped inside to see Lord Jacob on Miss Alice’s knee as she play-acted a book she was reading.
“Goodness, Beatrice, it is jolly good to see you up and about and looking so cheerful,” he announced, looking upon his niece, who was giggling with pure joy.
“It is Miss Alice, Uncle Phillip. She is so funny,” Beatrice sang out, her eyes bright as she showed her little pearly white teeth in her laughter.
“I think that is enough for now,” Miss Alice said to the children. She looked a little flushed, no doubt embarrassed at being caught acting silly for the sake of her charges.
“It is also delightful to see you recovered too, Miss Alice,” he said, turning his attention to her. “Your trip has done you good.”
Miss Alice didn’t respond as she walked over to Nanny and handed Lord Jacob to her.
“I wonder, Miss Alice, if you could spare me a moment of your time once I have said goodnight to the children?” he called over to get her attention.
“Of course, Your Grace,” she said, and he noted how she’d used his formal title, much against his wishes.
Once he’d finished with the children, he went into the hallway to find the governess, but she was not there. Looking down the corridor, he could see the nursery lit up, so he went to see if she was there. Sure enough, she was busy working at her desk.
“Your presence was missed at the dinner table, Miss Alice,” he remarked, entering the room.
She didn’t look up from the book she was reading as she spoke, “I ate dinner with Lady Beatrice.”
Something was wrong. He could sense it but had no idea what it was. Should he ask her outright? No, that would be too pushy, and he had to tread with care where his love was concerned.
“I do feel a great deal of pride in you, how you always put the children first in everything you do,” he said, keeping his tone light and friendly.
“You pay me to do so,” she answered abruptly.
“Why are you calling me … never mind,” he sighed, not wanting to overwhelm her with his concerns for her. “Can I ask if you will attend the small gathering we are hosting this evening?”
“A social event for a duke is hardly the right place for a governess,” she answered, standing up. Blowing out the candle on her desk, she began to walk towards the open door. “Goodnight. I trust that is all?”
She didn’t even wait for an answer as she turned to walk towards her room.
What is it I have done to upset you so much?he questioned himself, wishing he could get out of the social gathering and spend his evening with Miss Alice.
Downstairs, he could hear guests arriving as his stepsister’s voice rang out in greeting. Would he have time to visit Miss Alice and speak with her better to ascertain her strange behaviour towards him? She was clearly upset with him; otherwise, she wouldn’t be using his formal title as she did.
