Page 17 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
How was she going to resist a man who she desired? Being someone’s mistress was not something she’d ever contemplated, but would he dismiss her if she didn’t comply?
She was a nervous wreck the following day, jumping every time the nursery door opened, expecting his presence any moment. Though she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed when he didn’t turn up. She knew his presence in their lives was important for the children's sake, and now she worried she would jeopardise that.
Such worries were at the forefront of her mind, and she was finding it difficult to concentrate on her teachings. Not only that, being expected to dine at the family table was something she’d only ever done when the children dined there too. Sometimes, she sat with the children in the nursery to eat her meal too. But she preferred her solitude when eating, so she usually dined in her room alone.
At least she would not be alone with the duke as other guests were at the table; Mr Eli from the West Indies seemed very pleasant. Having met him only once, it had been enough to decide that she liked him. She would try to sit with him at dinner if she could, though she supposed the seating arrangements would not be for her to decide.
Then there was also Lady Davina, a person she had found herself disliking. She suspected the woman wasn’t visiting for the children’s sake, as she claimed.
As it turned out, she needn’t have worried. Upon entering the dining room, no one instructed her where to sit. The larger, formal table remained unused, and she was quite relieved to be seated at a smaller table by the window. The table was round, so Alice chose to sit in the empty chair next to Mr Eli, who greeted her with a welcoming smile.
The duke was seated on Mr Eli’s other side, with Lady Davina next to him. Alice was only too thankful there was an empty chair between herself and the lady, meaning she could relax with the distance between them.
“Oh, Miss Alice, you are to join us for dinner?” Lady Davina queried with a look of surprise. “Surely you would prefer to eat with the children.”
Before Alice managed to reply, the duke answered on her behalf. “I have requested that Miss Alice eats with us at dinner in the future. It allows me to speak with her about the children without disturbing them in the nursery.”
“Are you saying that a governess is to join us at every meal?” Lady Davina asked, her eyes wide in surprise as she glared at Alice.
“That is quite correct, Davina,” the duke answered firmly. “The children are in my care now, and I find Miss Alice’s advice invaluable.”
“But, Phillip, that is why I am here,” Lady Davina was not one to give up her corner easily. “To advise you on the correct procedures of your role as the Duke of Haroth and eating with the servants is not to be recommended. It would be more acceptable if the governess were to join us only once a week.”
“Thank you, Davina, but my mind is made up on this,” the duke reiterated. “You are most welcome to take the lead with my social calendar, but as far as the children are concerned, I have my own agenda.”
Alice listened on, not saying a word. She felt herself avoiding looking at Lady Davina; it was clear the woman was insulted by her presence. Lady Davina was about to object again when Mr Eli surprised Alice by speaking on her behalf.
“It is my understanding, Lady Davina, that in this country, a governess is not looked upon as a servant,” Mr Eli said. “After all, as the teacher of the children, she is entrusted with their development. That is a most important role, is that not so?”
“She is paid to do so,” Lady Davina snapped, not wanting to let go of her argument. “Tell me, Miss Alice, are you not originally from a farming background?”
“On my mother’s side, but she passed away when I was a child,” Alice replied with the truth. “I then attended boarding school, where I received a fine education.”
“But is your brother not a mere blacksmith?” Lady Davina asked, showing her long fingernails as she waved her hands in a dramatic pose.
“Davina!” the duke called out with an unexpected loudness to his voice. “Can you not please accept my decision with grace?”
“If you do not trust my judgement, Phillip, perhaps I am the one who should leave?” Lady Davina said, her voice dripping with venom.
“No one needs to leave, Davina,” the duke said in a softer tone. “As the children’s great aunt, I am sure you also want what is best for them. We must rely on the judgement of our governess for that. In the same sense that I will rely on your experienced guidance when it comes to socialising. In that, I put my trust in you.”
All the while, Alice said nothing, but as she glanced in the duke’s direction, he afforded her a most generous smile.
“May I propose a toast,” Mr Eli said with a merry voice as he picked up his glass of wine. “Now that I have met with the family solicitor and taken over the accounts, I want to offer my full support to the new Duke of Haroth. May your rule over the Haroth Estate be a successful one. Here is to you.”
Alice picked up her glass too, and Lady Davina soon followed.
“To the Duke of Haroth!” Mr Eli called out, and the two women repeated his words.
“By Jove, Eli.” The duke laughed. “You are a fine ambassador to have by my side.”
Mr Eli had managed to lighten the mood around the table, but Alice knew her battle with Lady Davina was far from over.
“Please, can you serve the food now,” the duke requested the servants, who’d been waiting patiently for their instructions.
All Alice could do was watch as the servants put food on the plates. She insisted on smaller portions because her appetite was all but gone. She’d always eaten the same food as the family, but a servant usually delivered the food on a tray to her room. It was not going to be easy eating with Lady Davina scowling at her throughout the meal, but she felt determined to overcome her fear of the woman.
She ate slowly, mulling over thoughts of the French woman, who in her mind, did not have a single drop of Tilbury blood in her veins. Not that she would ever point that fact out, but she did find it odd that the woman had never shown her face before now. It could have been that the late duke had not encouraged her to be part of his family, but she wasn’t privy to the facts.
