Page 2 of The Earl's Forbidden Governess
“Of course, today, we have another important thing to discuss. Etiquette.”
Charlotte groaned, but Catherine paid her no mind—quickly delving into a lesson about etiquette and making sure to spend an inordinate amount of time regarding eavesdropping.
As the clock struck four, signaling the end of their lessons, Charlotte breathed a loud sigh of relief.
“Oh, stop,” Sophia admonished her sister. “This was interesting.”
Charlotte merely shook her head and Catherine laughed. “Enough, both of you,” she said with a shake of her head. “Now, go—it is time for tea.”
The girls left, laughing and giggling, with Catherine in tow.
“Miss Winslow,” a voice called out, and Catherine turned on her heel.
“Yes Sarah?”
The young maid looked at her with a gentle smile. “Begging your pardon, Miss Winslow, but Lady Ashdown requests your presence in the parlor.”
Catherine’s brow furrowed at this. Lady Ashdown, kind and gracious as she was, hardly ever summoned her. In fact, she’d spent most of her time working while entrusting Catherine with her children.
Catherine instinctively knew that something was off—and her mind raced with possibilities. Had she done something wrong? Were the girls’ parents unhappy with their progress?
She took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over her simple brown dress before rushing to the parlor and knocking softly on the door.
“Come in,” Lady Ashdown’s warm voice called, and Catherine hesitated. She didn’t sound angry.
When she entered the parlor, Lady Ashdown looked at her with a soft, gentle smile—though it was not without a hint of something else. Regret perhaps?
“Ah, Miss Winslow. Please have a seat,” Lady Ashdown said and gestured to the chair across from her. Catherine’s knees trembled as she moved to sit, and she looked at the older woman nervously.
“Is everything alright, Lady Ashdown?”
Once again, the older woman smiled—though this time Catherine noticed that it did not quite reach her eyes. “Everything is… well… it is as it should be,” she said softly. “You see…. Sophia and Charlotte have reached that age where they must begin to think about their debut into society. Charlotte is eighteen already. Sophia will be soon…”
Catherine nodded slowly and swallowed. It felt as though there was a large rock settled in her stomach. She had a feeling she knew just where the conversation was headed.
“As such,” Lady Ashdown continued, “we feel as though their education has reached a point where a governess is no longer… necessary.”
The awful words hung between them heavily. For Catherine, it felt as though all the air had been sucked from her lungs. “I… I see,” she managed to choke out, trying her level best to not sound as though this affected her.
Lady Ashdown leaned forward and placed a comforting hand on Catherine’s knee. “My dear girl,” she said softly. “Please do not think for even a moment that this is a reflection on you. You have been an exemplary governess, and we are so grateful for your dedication to the girls. They… they truly adore you.”
Catherine nodded, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. “Thank you, Lady Ashdown,” she said softly. “It has been a pleasure to teach and get to know them.”
“Now,” Lady Ashdown said, her tone brightening. “I have some news that I hope will soften this blow. You see… I took the liberty of making some inquiries on your behalf.”
Catherine’s brows shot up and she looked at Lady Ashdown curiously. “Inquiries, my lady?”
Lady Ashdown nodded, and a warm smile settled around her lips. “Indeed. It just so happens that an acquaintance of my husband, the Earl of Wessex, is in need of a governess for his young sister.”
For a moment, Catherine was speechless. The elusive Earl of Wessex was one of the most talked about figures in London society. According to all those who have ever seen them, the man was incredibly handsome.
“He oozes charisma and virility… he looks like the archetype of a romantic hero, with his thick, dark hair and broad shoulders…” She’d heard about him already, and she shook her head slightly. To be offered a position in this man’s household was not something she’d ever dreamed of.
“The Earl of Wessex?” she repeated softly, and Lady Ashdown nodded.
“Yes, Edward Montague,” she said. “He is looking for someone to educate his sister, Emily. She is a bit younger thanmy girls. Fifteen or sixteen perhaps? I am not sure. Quite bright too, apparently.”
“Lady Ashdown, I… I don’t know what to say,” she stammered. “This is incredibly generous of you.”
