Page 74 of A Governess' Unbridled Passion
“She will be content for a while now that she has money,” Phillip assured her. “I will be providing her with a generous sum of cash and a monthly allowance from the family estate.”
“You are too kind to her after what she did to your family,” Miss Alice said, scowling as she thought of the French woman.
“Listen,” he said, glancing over at the children at play and enjoying the sounds of their giggles.
“There is something I want to tell you,” he said, taking hold of both her hands. “Stop worrying about Davina; she knows that if she makes a wrong move, I will cut her off immediately. Put her behind you because you never have to see her again.”
“I know, Lord Phillip. But it is more that I had not realised how dear the children are to me,” Alice replied, not looking at his face as she spoke. “I know that as a governess, one day I must leave them, and I will, I promise. But at least I will know they are safe and loved by their uncle.”
“Well … Lady Davina might have wanted a title and a vast income, but she’s not getting any of that,” Phillip said, trying to get Alice to look at him, but she wouldn’t. “I was never going to marry her. I have other ideas concerning marriage.”
“Can we go now, Uncle?” Lady Beatrice said as she tugged Phillip’s arm. “Jacob and me, we are very hungry.”
“Did your Aunt Davina not give you breakfast this morning?” Miss Alice asked his niece.
“We had a drink of milk, that was all,” Lady Beatrice replied, rubbing her tummy.
“Then we had better go and find some food to fill that empty belly of yours,” Phillip said, picking up his niece and tickling her midriff.
He regretted her interference because he didn’t get to say what he wanted to Miss Alice, but no matter, there was plenty of time later.
His niece giggled and squiggled as he went to sit her on his horse. “It is Jacob’s turn to ride with Miss Alice,” he said to little Lady Beatrice.
“And my turn to ride with you, Uncle Phillip,” Lady Beatrice declared. “I love this game.”
Once all were settled, they set off on horseback once again, this time with Miss Alice in the lead, to take them to a small town she knew of.
The town of Oxley had a main street that boasted a bakery, and it provided everything they needed to fill their bellies. Miss Alice and Lord Jacob stayed in the empty market square with the horses. Phillip went shopping with his niece, and they soon returned with their arms full of goods.
“You will never guess what we found on our adventure, Miss Alice,” Lady Beatrice called out. She was keen to show her governess something she held in her little hand.
“I am hoping it is food,” Miss Alice said, lending her charge a lovely smile.
“Yes, we have lots of food, but look at this,” Lady Beatrice said, holding a small wooden doll in her hand. “We found a man who said he was a … well … I cannot remember that bit, but he had little carved dolls. Uncle Phillip bought two, one for me and one for my brother. Oh ... did you want one too?”
“No, little one, I only want my food,” Miss Alice replied, rubbing her tummy and laughing. “Though they do look lovely.”
Phillip handed out the freshly baked bread and pork pies for everyone to enjoy. The children ate their fill at the same time as playing with their figures together. They all sat on the stone steps of a large carved stone-cross structure in the centre of the town square. At the well, also in the middle of the town square, they were able to bring up fresh water in the town bucket for drinking.
Phillip felt most content not only to have the children safely returned but also to be rid of his interfering stepsister. Now, he could seriously think about his and the children’s future. He enjoyed being with the children and having Alice among them.
A couple of local men from the town recognised the duke and came over to talk with him.
“This be Jack Smith, our town forger and blacksmith,” the older man introduced the younger one. “And I be Henry Radmore, the town’s representative when anyone of importance visits us.”
“I would not class myself as that important, Mr Radmore …” Phillip began.
“Ah, but ye be the Duke of Haroth, you is, so you be important to us townsfolk,” Mr Radmore interrupted. “Ye be wantin’ to take the children indoors, will ye?”
“No, we will be on our way shortly,” Phillip said with a smile. “As it happens, Miss Alice, here, also has a brother who is a blacksmith.”
This helped keep the conversation light, and Miss Alice didn’t seem to mind that he had focused on her. They went on to discuss the sheep out on the moors, and calving time, leading to a chat discussing which farmer had the best bull.
After an hour spent with the friendly townsmen, Phillip shook their hands, and they mounted their horses once again. The children waved goodbye to the kindly folk who had now gathered, and Lady Beatrice complained at how tired she felt. She leaned against Miss Alice, snuggling up and getting herself comfortable before closing her eyes.
“It feels good to have her with me once again,” Miss Alice said as they walked the horses side by side. “It was kind of the townsfolk to feed the horses, was it not?” she added.
“Yes. I find most Yorkshire folk friendly enough,” Phillip answered, mulling over whether he could see himself staying on at Haroth Hall.
