Page 43 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“The new duke is a very caring young man,” Clara had tutted after Lord Phillip left them.
“But I fear he may not have a hold on his estate. I wish he could see through that stepsister of his because I don’t like her … oh, don’t mind me, Miss Alice, there I go ranting my opinions. I should know better. Now then, tell me how you’re doing this lovely fine day?”
“I am well, thank you, Clara. Today I will be going out,” Alice told her, but nor was she happy at the thought of a soiree at Haroth Hall, not when a sick child lay in her bed. “I am going into one of the local towns. If I can pick anything up for you that might help?”
Clara went to look through the window as voices sounded out, “Ah, there she is, thinking she’s some kind of queen,” the housekeeper mumbled unhappily.
Curiosity got the better of Alice, and she, too, went to peek through the window. Below, they watched as Lady Davina marched forward, leading a few servants burdened with chairs, among other things.
“My goodness, are they taking half the house furnishings with them?” Clara questioned, looking at Alice with a grimace.
As they caught one another’s eyes, they both burst into a fit of laughter. “Poor Lord Phillip and little Lord Jacob,” Alice said, looking down at them. “And Betsy too, for that matter, Lady Davina will be ordering her around all day.”
“The day that woman leaves this house, nay, England itself, will be a day of great celebrations if you ask me,” Clara pointed out.
“I’ll leave you to it then, Miss Alice. I have much to be busying myself with today. Oh, and don’t worry, William’s arranged for one of the footmen to go and collect anything we don’t have in the stores. At least I can rely on him to pull things together because Cook’s livid, I tell you.”
“I do not doubt your word,” Alice said, pleased that she didn’t need to get involved in such events. “By the way, could you ask William to organise a carriage for me? I am going into Ripon town for an afternoon of respite.”
“A well-deserved rest it will be, Miss Alice, and I will gladly arrange it for you,” she said, collecting the breakfast tray.
Clara left, and Alice went to carry out her ablutions. All the while she had thoughts of the night before, spent with Lord Phillip in her bed. Being apart from him was becoming quite lonely, but he had promised they would be together forever one day. Despite his words, she knew deep down that it would never be, even though she was convinced the duke loved her as she did him.
Once dressed, she went to visit Lady Beatrice, who, she was glad to see, was sitting up in her bed.
“Miss Alice!” the little lady called when she saw her. “Can I get out of bed now?”
Alice went to sit on the side of Lady Beatrice’s bed to speak with her. “You most certainly cannot. You need bed rest for a little longer.”
“I want to be with you, Nanny, and my brother,” she said sulkily. “I do not like being in my bed.”
“I tell you what,” Alice replied, hoping to cheer her charge. “I am going into the town of Ripon today. I will visit the market and pick up some sugared fruits for you and your brother when I am there. Will that cheer you?”
“Thank you, Miss Alice.” Lady Beatrice beamed back at her. “Sugared fruits are my favourite.”
“Very well then, but promise me that you will get some more rest,” Alice said, getting up and tucking the girl back underneath her blankets. “And I will see you after dinner.”
“Can we have a sugared fruit today, Miss Alice?” Lady Beatrice asked, her voice starting to sound weary.
“You may have one before you sleep tonight and then the rest tomorrow,” Alice offered before leaving for her waiting carriage.
It was unusual for servants to have access to the use of carriages, but Lord Phillip had sent word to the stable for the governess. She was allowed the use of one to help with her recovery. As it set off, she knew the journey would take around an hour, so she sat back and watched the world go by.
Once she arrived in the town, Alice felt a tremor of excitement to be out on such a trip. She intended to visit the market, browse a bookshop, and even the modiste shop, all as part of her relaxation.
After agreeing on a time for the carriage driver to collect her, she set off to the market first. As promised to Lady Beatrice, she bought the sugared treats. It was noisy, with strong-smelling livestock in one corner and surrounded by farm workers keeping the animals under control. The other half of the market square was filled with stalls, and the sellers shouted about their wares.
Alice passed by a colourful flower stall and then a fresh-smelling vegetable seller. Various tin pots hung down from hooks on another stall, clanking together in the breeze. A young girl sold wooden pegs and, what could have been her mother, was selling matches beside her. None of which Alice wanted to buy.
All the while she browsed the stalls, Lord Phillip was on her mind. She thought of his kiss, his smell, his touch. What was it all going to lead to? What she was doing with him was so very wrong, though she couldn’t help surrendering to him. She was sure she was in love with him, and he with her, but shouldn’t she be resisting him anyway?
Finding the stall that sold the sugared fruits, she made her purchase and moved on to leave the market behind. Still, she churned over her relationship with the duke.
What am I to do? Who could I even ask for help?The questions invaded her mind.How I wish I were at the picnic with him, with little Lord Jacob by our side. It would be so very perfect.
Arriving at the bookshop, she knew exactly which book she wanted, and so didn’t linger. Finally, she moved on to visit the milliner for a new hat. Alice had a liking for a pretty hat on occasion. It was one of those accessories that she favoured, wearing them on Sundays for church.
Trying on a straw hat for the coming warmer weather, she pondered on finding the dressmaker who owned the shop. She would seek her advice on the latest fashions for the summer, but it appeared that the woman was busy. While Alice waited for an opening to speak with her, she tried various hats on but couldn’t make up her mind. Instead, she moved on to browse over some handmade reticules.
