Page 106 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
She did not seem convinced by his assurances.
“The children are not safe,” she sighed. “Balfour knew the Earl Arlington, as told by Harry and appeared to owe him a debt also. Balfour knew that the young lord recognized him and threatened him to keep silent.”
Nicholas gaped at the governess, his heart beginning to pound at the notion.
“He threatened a child over the sins of his father?”
“Harry has been aghast in Balfour’s presence,” Rose continued, her hands fluttering nervously as she spoke. Nicholas peered at her, another thought striking him as if it was lightning.
“Do you believe that Balfour had any cause in the accident which caused Earl and Countess Arlington’s untimely deaths?”
Rose’s head jerked upward in shock and Nicholas could see that it had not occurred to her until that moment.
“If so,” she whispered. “He truly is a monster, one who walks the same corridors as us.”
“One who is courting my mother!” Nicholas choked, jumping from the bedside. “Remain here, Miss Rose. Do not move until I return for you, am I clear in my instructions?”
“Please, Your Grace,” she begged. “Tis not safe to confront him alone!”
Nicholas was beginning to see the picture with much more clarity and he bobbed his head in agreement.
“I concur,” he replied. “Tis not safe and I shall not.”
They stared at one another for a long, uncertain moment as if considering their next moves.
“You have only one matter with which to concern yourself,” Nicholas said at last. “Regain your strength. I will bring the children here in the interim.”
“Is that wise, Your Grace? If Balfour wishes to – “
“I will distract Balfour. He shall not come near you, I swear it!”
“Whatever you believe is best, Your Grace.”
Her tone was not filled with comfort, but Nicholas was formulating a plot of his own as he shuffled toward the door, his mind racing.
“Be well, Your Grace,” Rose cried out, her voice raw with worry and he turned back, his tailcoat fanning as he rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. He gathered her cold hands in his and pulled her near.
“You needn’t fret,” he assured her, gently placing his lips upon hers. Eagerly, she returned his kiss, her palms warming instantly as if his mouth was a hearth in itself.
When they parted, Rose seemed more relieved than she had, as if the touch of their shared skin was all she had required for confidence in his ability to overcome Balfour’s wickedness.
“Stay here and concern yourself only with growing strong again,” he told her comfortingly. “You must watch over the children and become well. Are you able, Rose?”
“Yes,” she replied, rising to walk him toward the door, her fingers reaching out to trace his as they moved. “You must promise me the same. Do not act rashly.”
“I swear to you, I will return to you and we will put this madness in the past where it belongs.”
Yet as Nicholas managed to pull himself longingly away from Rose’s pleading grasp, he saw the fear in her and he hoped that his words were prophetic.
I will make all right and we will return to life as it was before we ever heard Balfour’s name.
Chapter 35
Tensions mounted as Rose and the children waited for word from Nicholas, darkness falling beyond the windows.
“I fear the duchess will come searching for us soon,” Betsey murmured nervously as she peered through the drapes and toward the grounds where people were arriving for the gala. “We should not stay here.”
“It is what His Grace wishes,” Rose told her. “You must not leave the apartment until we are certain it is safe.”
