Page 55 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
“Are they incorrigible, Your Grace?” the girl asked, leaning forward with keen interest. “Are they sloppily into their cups?”
Duchess Buford glanced up sharply as if she realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud, her face displaying some embarrassment.
“Of course not!” she snapped. “I am merely exhausted from their relentless presence. This is an annual occurrence, yet it never seems to grow less tiresome.”
Rose smothered a smile, the wording amusing to her and shifted her eyes downward before the duchess could catch her expression.
“Harry, I have received word from the duke this morning. You will join the men on their final day,” the duchess announced and Rose watched the young boy’s face twist into a look of worry.
“Join them?” he echoed. “On the hunt?”
“Indeed, on the hunt. You shan’t join them to sup, shall you? Albeit, they are oft so ape-drunk, they are not apt to notice if you were to fall into your own cups among them.”
Harry’s face colored at his aunt’s biting tone and Rose cringed slightly at her harshness. It was clear the duchess did not approve of the men in the house and despite her cuttingness, it did relieve the governess in a small way. Perhaps she was not the only one to feel the underlying tension in the manor. Or perchance she merely wished to have her home back in order. Whatever the reason, Rose felt a kinship with the woman for the first time.
Tis only for a few days. Soon we shall both be as we were.
Rose admitted to herself that she looked forward to their departure and to having Nicholas within the walls of the manor again if only to sneak glances and exchange smiles.
“I would rather not,” Harry mumbled. “I have lessons.”
Rose gaped in shock at the boy.
He would rather do lessons that go on a hunt with the men. My word, who is this child?
“Tis not for discussion, Harry. His Grace has asked that you accompany him. Tis high time you ventured into Buford Woods for purposes other than chasing cottontails.”
“Miss Rose,” Harry said pleadingly, his blue eyes wide and plaintive. “You cannot spare me, can you?”
Rose felt the duchess’ eyes upon her but she need not look at the lady of the manor to know the proper response. The boy should know better than to believe she could contradict the duke’s explicit instructions.
“I am afraid I will need to make do without you, Lord Arlington,” she told him softly, offering him a warm smile. “I could not stand in the way of such a wonderful adventure among the men.”
Betsey snorted contemptuously, and the women gazed at her in shock, such an unladylike sound escaping her lips.
“There is nothing quite like a crush of men hunting defenseless woodland creatures,” Lady Arlington snickered.
“Betsey, mind your tongue!” Duchess Buford scolded, her jade eyes darkening with annoyance. “You speak with too much frankness for a woman of your standing.”
“It shall be great fun,” Rose interjected, sensing the headstrong Betsey about to embark on a diatribe unbecoming to their ears. “It is an honor to be invited, Lord Arlington.”
Rose nodded encouragingly at him and he lowered his eyes begrudgingly, catching her hint. He was not one for conflict and he, too, sensed the undercurrent of tension between Betsey and the duchess.
“Yes, Miss Rose.”
“I will be about towns today,” Duchess Buford announced as if the matter was resolved. “Should the men return early, inform Duke Buford that Trudy will tend to him and the others.”
“I am able to assist, Your Grace,” Rose offered before she could stop herself. It would be good to see Lord Buford for the evening. As Duchess Buford had said, it had been but two days since the men had arrived yet it seemed much longer.
Of course,Rose reminded herself.Captain Balfour will also be in attendance.
Rose wished she had thought before volunteering her aid but it was too late for regrets. The good of seeing Lord Buford would outweigh the negativity of seeing Captain Balfour.
“If it is necessary,” the duchess agreed. “I shall inform Trudy to send for you if need be.”
The duchess stood and replaced her napkin on the table, her eyes falling on Harry who continued to sulk silently into his breakfast of fruit.
“Harry, you are becoming a man,” she told him sharply. “You must act the role.”
