Page 107 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
“It will never be safe,” Harry whispered and Rose felt a shiver of apprehension slither against her back.
“That is not so, Harry,” she told him, extending her hand toward him to pull him near in comfort. “The duke will confront Captain Balfour and end this tonight.”
The siblings exchanged a look and quickly parted eyes but Rose caught it.
“What is it?” she demanded. “What concerns you now?”
“The duchess,” Betsey sighed, turning away from the window to look at Rose. “She will not be easy to convince of the captain’s treachery.”
Rose shook her head.
“She must listen,” Rose insisted. “If the man was responsible for the late duke’s passing, she cannot regard Balfour with such adoration when he could be – “
Rose stopped speaking abruptly clenched her teeth together, not wishing to fill the children’s minds with more horrors than they already imagined. They did not yet know what she had learned of Balfour.
They need not know more than necessary,she decided but the combined expressions of their faces told her she had spoken much too hastily.
“He is responsible for our uncle’s death?” Betsey gasped.
“You must not worry yourselves, children. The duke will end this tonight.”
“Miss Rose, it is you who does not understand,” Harry sighed. “Tonight, tis not a gala to surprise Nicholas for his birthday.”
Rose stared at them uncomprehendingly.
“Tis no longer a surprise, I concur. It cannot be while the duke remains inside Rosecliff.”
“No, Miss Rose, the duchess intended it to be an event in celebration of Nicholas’ birthday but the captain has other plans.”
“What plans?” Rose demanded, heat rising to her face. “What else could that man possibly have schemed?”
The children seemed reluctant to disclose more but Rose insisted they say what they knew.
“I have heard the servants whispering,” Harry confessed. “The duchess and captain have maintained a secret engagement for a fortnight. Captain Balfour intends to wed the duchess this evening, before all the nobility in the area.”
“No!” Rose choked. “He cannot!”
“There is not much we can do from the isolation of the duke’s apartment,” Betsey sighed. “But should we escape…”
“We are not prisoners,” Rose told her quickly. “We have merely been secured for our own safety. I will leave. You will stay as the duke wanted.”
There was a groan of protest from Lady Arlington but Rose was in no mood for an argument.
“You will do as you are told for once, Betsey. I must warn His Grace of the captain’s intentions. Balfour must know that the duke will never allow for such a travesty.”
“We can help you,” Betsey insisted. “Moreover, you cannot prance about the manor in your nightclothes.”
“Betsey, we mustn’t incense Captain Balfour,” Harry choked. “You know of what he is capable!”
“Harry is correct. You will remain here and I will find Duke Buford.”
She noticed Betsey staring at her skeptically.
“After I have made myself presentable,” Rose sighed. “Betsey, you must swear to stay with your brother. I cannot be accountable for you and Harry in the thick of this.”
Betsey shifted her eyes away and Rose did not believe her when the girl vowed to remain but she had much more with which to concern herself in that moment.
Balfour cannot be everywhere at once,she realized.Surely his focus will be on the duchess and keeping Nicholas out of his way. He will not be thinking of the children nor myself.
