Page 55 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
Alice and Clara were enjoying a short moment together. The housekeeper had found the governess wandering the garden by the kitchen looking gloomy.
“I could request an audience with Lord Phillip to see if it is true, I suppose.” Alice sighed, weary with Lady Davina’s attitude towards her. “It would not be the first time Lady Davina has misled me; I admit. Though I am loathed to do anything until after the ball. Everyone is so busy with the event.”
“Aye, at least that’s one thing she can’t be blaming you for,” Clara said, scowling in sympathy for her friend. “If that goes wrong, it will be Lady Davina herself who will be to blame.”
Alice gave no answer as she looked on dreamily, her mind drifting off and imagining what it would be like to dance with the duke at a ball.
“And what might you be thinking of now, Miss Alice?” Clara asked. “I can see in your eyes that you’re daydreaming.”
“Oh, I dream of fanciful things, Clara,” Alice answered, giving a half smile as she shook the thoughts out of her head. “Things that are beyond me.”
“Yes, and what might that be?” Clara pushed with her questioning. “You have my full attention, and my curiosity is getting the better of me. You should be worrying over being dismissed and what to do … but instead, you daydream.”
Alice gave Clara a full smile, though she wished she could escape the reality of Lady Davina Katz once and for all. She’d already been considering leaving Haroth Hall, so Lady Davina’s words shouldn’t have shocked her.
Alice could only suppose that she’d never expected to be forced from her position, but what did it matter anymore? Once she’d given in to her urges with the duke, she’d doomed herself anyway. Though dreaming of better things could never harm, could it?
“What is it that you dream of then? Do share; I could do with a few dreams myself,” Clara asked, smiling at Alice to try and encourage her to share her dreams.
“I was imagining myself in a beautiful ball gown, dancing with someone like the duke,” Alice dared to admit.
She knew that no one was aware of her secret liaison with the duke, so she could share her fantasy, a thoughtful dream.
“And why not?” Clara burst into laughter. “It would be a great triumph over Madam La-de-da …” the housekeeper cackled, though she meant well.
“Now, who is doing the dreaming, Clara?” Alice chuckled along with Clara. “We can both dream on; neither of us will ever be dancing at a lord’s ball.”
“Ah, but you are wrong there, my girl,” Clara said with a wag of her finger. “It’s a masquerade ball, and why shouldn’t you have your one last wish? We can dress you up and disguise you behind a mask. It will be such fun and a way of getting our own back on that French woman.”
“I do not need to seek revenge, Clara,” Alice exclaimed, thinking her friend had gone mad. “I will leave Haroth Hall with dignity and grace.”
“Wouldn’t you like to pull the wool over that woman’s eyes for the sake of every servant in this manor house?” Clara asked, and it worried Alice that the housekeeper appeared to be quite serious.
“Whatever can you mean?” Alice asked, now convinced her friend was indeed insane.
“Never you mind, for now,” Clara replied. “I must be back to my work, and you too, no doubt. But be ready, Miss Alice; you will have a message from me later in the day.”
With those words, Clara left her alone, though Alice didn’t linger as it was time to return to the nursery. Putting aside Clara’s odd words, Alice began thinking about her departure and finding a new position.
But after the children’s midday meal, Sally, an upstairs maid, arrived in the nursery. She informed Alice that she was to attend the laundry room where a matter awaited her attention.
Although it seemed an unusual request, Alice assumed it to be a matter of her personal laundry. When she arrived, she was greeted by Clara.
“What is so urgent that you call me from my lessons?” Alice asked, awaiting an answer as the housekeeper had her back on her.
When Clara turned around to face her, she stepped aside so that Alice could see that she’d been hiding something. Hanging upon a tall cupboard door was a stunning light blue ballgown, causing Alice to blink to make sure she wasn’t imagining it.
“We need you to try it on so we can adjust it if needs be,” Clara instructed her.
“You mean it is for me?” Alice questioned, feeling a tremor of excitement in her belly. “Where did you find such a striking dress?”
“I will tell you while you try it on,” Clara replied, calling over a couple of maids who began to undress Alice and then redress her in the shapely ballroom gown. “It was in storage. Belonged to the late duke’s wife, and she was a slender thing, much like you.”
“I … I … This doesn’t feel right. Are you sure?” Alice objected as the maids whirled and twirled her around in the magnificent blue dress.
“Oh, I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. You look beautiful, Miss Alice,” Clara declared, standing back to take in her friend’s beauty. “Take a peek in the long mirror we’ve brought down for you. You will be the Belle of the ball.”
Alice couldn’t believe how well the dress fit her and how different she looked in such an exquisite gown. “It is … it is a fine-looking gown, but why would I need a ballroom dress?”
