Page 45 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
Chapter 23
Phillip was surprised at a troop of servants carrying far too much furniture for a simple picnic by the lake. He stood back and looked on, amused as Lady Davina gave out her orders all the way to the lake. Nanny had the right idea, too, as she kept the boy at a distance, so he wandered over to join them.
“Are you well, Nanny?” he asked, then corrected himself. “My apologies, I mean Betsy. I was so used to calling you Nanny when last I was here, but you don’t seem to remember me too well, do you?”
He could see that he’d embarrassed the older woman, so he went to walk by his young nephew, who was busy playing with a stick.
“I do recall you, Lord Phillip, but I’m surprised you remembers me is all,” Betsy said quietly.
“Yes, I was a bit of a terror for you, was I not?” he chuckled as he was showing Lord Jacob how to sword fight with a stick.
“Erm … I don’t like to be saying such things,” Betsy said nervously.
“Do not worry over it, Betsy. I know I was a handful, unlike this little one here,” Phillip remarked. “My brother’s children are well-behaved. I can imagine he was a good father to them.”
“Yes, he was, Lord Phillip,” Betsy replied without hesitation. “The late duke … he be a good man.”
“Well, let me assure you that I aim to follow in his footsteps,” Phillip assured her, but he knew she wouldn’t understand what he meant. “I intend on caring for the children. What’s more, Betsy, I promise you that I am a changed man and for the better.”
He could see that she was uncomfortable having such a conversation with him, so he bowed his head at her slightly and walked away.
Glancing over at the picnic area, he saw a table and chairs had been set up. It was clear that Lady Davina had no intention of sitting on the ground. Observing her, he surmised that she was a woman who could run a manor house quite efficiently, which was what he needed. But he knew she would run the servants ragged with her demanding ways, and he didn’t want that kind of woman running his home.
His thoughts soon focused on Miss Alice, the woman who he wanted more than anything, but a woman who society would frown on, should he marry her. They’d be all forgiving were he to marry his stepsister, thinking her of the right stock. Still, there would be some scandal either way.
The nobility would soon back away once they realised that Lady Davina was as harsh and cruel as they all were. However, should he marry Miss Alice, who was soft and gentle, they might not be so merciful. But what should he care for Lady Davina or society? He cared only for Miss Alice’s sake; how she would not cope too well with such rejection.
He would do all he could to protect her from vicious gossipers. She was the one who filled his heart with joy, whereas Lady Davina filled his heart with a cold dread.
There must be something he could do to get his stepsister to return to France, which would suit him fine. But he could see that she was enjoying her role as an English Lady far too much, in his opinion. She was no English rose, more like a French thorn.
Her orders rang out, carrying on the wind:
Put that over there …
Do not break those wine goblets, or I will have you dismissed …
Where are those China side plates …
Put the cushions on the chairs …
There was nothing kind in her words, and it was obvious that she relished giving out orders. This was turning out to be more like a garden party than a simple picnic. He was in half a mind to turn around and walk back to the manor house. Had Miss Alice been there, it would have been worthwhile. But he wanted to spend some time with Lord Jacob, so he must endure all that was to come.
“Ah, there you are, Phillip,” Lady Davina’s voice rang in his ears.
He looked up to see her glaring over at him, with Betsy and Lord Jacob standing behind her.
“Come along; we can partake in a small walk while they finish setting up our picnic,” she demanded of him.
Phillip didn’t argue because he could see that Lord Jacob was to join them. He would bide his time and eventually find some way of making the French woman, whom nobody liked, depart from Haroth Hall.
They began a stroll, allowing Lord Jacob to run around as he continued to play with his stick.
“Look at us, what a wonderful picture we make, toddling along with a child between us,” Lady Davina boasted with a sickly grin.
“I am glad to see Jacob out and about,” Phillip said, changing the subject because he knew that she hinted, yet again, about them being a couple.
“You see,” she said, hooking her hand into his arm as they walked. “I do know what is good for children, and you should learn to trust in my judgement.”
