Page 6 of The Earl's Forbidden Governess
It was Mr. Harper who entered, his face just as impassive as it had been the night before. “Good morning, Miss Winslow,” he greeted. “I trust you slept well.”
“I did, thank you,” Catherine lied, and he nodded. “Breakfast will be served in the small dining room in half an hour,” he said simply, and she nodded, despite having no idea where the small dining room was.
“I… will I meet Lady Emily then?” she asked, and Mr. Harper sighed.
“Lady Emily takes her meals in her room,” he said, pointedly avoiding her true question.
Catherine frowned at this. “I see,” she said. “And the earl? Will he be joining us for breakfast?”
Mr. Harper sighed and pursed his lips. “His lordship takes his breakfast in his study,” he said, his tone clipped. “He is not to be disturbed.”
“Oh,” Catherine let out, her confusion evident. “Mr. Harper, I wonder if I might ask…”
Mr. Harper, however, was already backing out of the room, his hand on the doorknob. “Half an hour, Miss Winslow,” he said firmly. “I will meet you here and show you to the dining room.”
As the door closed behind him, Catherine let out a frustrated sigh. It would seem, she thought frustratedly, that direct questions would get her nowhere in this house. She could not help but wonder if she’d ever meet the Earl at this rate. Everyone seemed almost fearful of discussing the man.
“What on earth,” she whispered, “did I get myself into?”
Chapter 3
For a while, Catherine stood rooted to the spot. Nothing about this house made sense and she suddenly longed for the warmth and comfort of the Ashdown home. The manor’s eerie silence pressed in around her, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. She shook her head with a sigh, trying to dispel the apprehension that threatened to overwhelm her.
“Pull yourself together, Catherine,” she muttered as she turned away from the door. “It’s just another household. You’ve done this before.”
Even as she said the words, however, she knew they were not quite true. There was something different about Wessex Manor. Something that set her nerves on edge in a way she could not quite explain.
With a frustrated groan, she turned to the window and drew back the heavy curtains. Even the sun seemed to hide from the manor, she thought with a grimace as she glanced at the gray skies. A sudden movement caught her eye, and she frowned, leaning forward.
A dark figure on horseback emerged from the nearby woods, riding swiftly toward the estate. Catherine leaned forward, squinting to make out more details through the morning mist.
There was not much she could see, though it was evident that the rider approached at a gallop, his black cloak billowing behind him. As he neared the manor, he suddenly looked up.
Though she was certain he was too far away to see her, Catherine whirled around, her heart pounding. She pressed a hand to her heart and shook her head. There was something about him, even from a distance, that set her entire body ablaze and she let out a shuddering breath.
His shoulders were broad and even from her spot at the window she could see strength exuding from him. For a mad second, Catherine wondered what it would feel like for those arms to envelop her, hold her…
“This place is driving you mad already, Catherine,” she mumbled to herself, jumping when there was a sharp knock at the door once again.
“Yes?” she called out, her voice trembling. The door swung open, and Mr. Harper entered, his expression impassive, as always. “It is time for breakfast, Miss Winslow. If you’ll follow me.”
Once again, he did not wait for her to agree, and Catherine rushed to fall into step behind him. As they made their way through the corridors, Catherine wondered if she ought to ask Mr. Harper about the mysterious rider. Something in his demeanor, however, made her hold her tongue.
“Here we are,” Mr. Harper announced as they arrived at the small dining room. A single place setting awaited her at the long wooden table and Catherine glanced at Mr. Harper uncomfortably.
“Please sit,” he said and gestured to the chair. “I will return shortly with your meal.”
The chair scraped on the floor with a high-pitched squeak when Catherine moved it out, and she sat slowly. Before she could think too much about the mystery of the man on horseback, Mr. Harper returned with a tray bearing tea, toast and eggs.
“Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Winslow,” he said as he put the tray in front of her, disappearing again quickly. Catherine sighed as she took her first bite. Though the meal was simple, there was no denying that it was well-prepared. Still, she found it quite odd to eat alone.
Her meal was barely finished when Mr. Harper appeared in the dining room once more. “His lordship will meet you now,” he said, and Catherine jumped to her feet, her eyes wide.
“Now? I mean…” she glanced down at her yellow dress. She’d chosen the light color specifically because it was the antithesis of the dark manor.
“Now,” Mr. Harper said simply. “Follow me please.”
This time, he waited for her, and Catherine licked over her lips nervously when they halted in front of an imposing oak door. He rapped sharply on the wood, then stood back.
