Page 109 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
“He is beneath her in standing!”
“This is disgraceful! What has happened to the House Buford?”
Yet the secretly betrothed couple seemed oblivious to the bitter whispers in their midst as they stood before the clergyman, smiling at one another as if no one else existed.
“Please, be silent so we may proceed,” Father Benchman intoned and reluctantly, the crowd stilled as they craned their necks to see the spectacle before them.
“Dearly beloved – “
“No!” Rose cried, rushing forward before Theodore could stop her. “You cannot do this, Your Grace!”
Again, a litany of voices erupted into confused cries as the guests parted way to allow Rose to make her way toward the couple but suddenly, her legs had become leaden weights.
“Miss Rose!” Duchess Buford gasped, her green eyes widening in shock. “You have returned!”
“I –” As all eyes focussed on her, their noble faces a sea of leers and smirks, Rose wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.
“Miss Rose,” Balfour growled, his eyes flashing although he maintained the half-smile about his smug mouth. “You have been unwell. You should be resting.”
“Unwell?” Rose cried, forcing her legs forward. “Do you not mean poisoned?”
A gasp of shock flooded the room and the duchess’ face melted into a scowl.
“Miss Rose, you are acting in quite an uncouth manner. Please, return to your apartment. I will see to you after the ceremony.”
“No, Your Grace. I cannot leave here until you are informed as to who this man is!”
“Miss Rose, this is highly unusual. If not for your weakened state, I would have you condemned to the stockades for such insolence!”
The fury in the duchess’ face was evident and Rose knew she should stand down but she dared not. If Nicholas had not been successful in stopping the captain, she was the only one who remained.
“My apologies, Your Grace,” Rose choked, determined to forge forth. “But I cannot permit this to happen.”
“Permit this?” Balfour scoffed. “You are a governess, Mrs. Parsons. You have no standing to dictate anything to Duchess Buford. Theodore, escort Miss Rose back to her quarters.”
Theodore murmured something she could not hear as he reached for her arm but she pulled away.
“No!” she cried. “I will not go! Your Grace, I have it on good authority that Captain Balfour is responsible for the late duke’s demise as well as my own husband!”
The ruckus was deafening as the men and women squawked amongst themselves, eyeing the captain with wary eyes.
“Silence!” Balfour roared, slamming his cane against the floor for affect. “A mass of sheep you are! Listening to the words of a melancholic woman!”
The crowd quieted, eager to absorb more of the drama which threatened to unfold.
“That is correct. Mrs. Parsons was nearly institutionalized before she came to Rosecliff, were you not aware?”
“That is untrue!” Rose cried. “I –”
“Do you deny that you suffered fainting spells after your husband’s death at sea?”
“He did not die at sea!” Rose decried. “He was killed in precisely the same manner as the 5thDuke of Buford!”
She looked about and saw that some of the men were nodding slowly while some did not seem convinced.
They believe me,she realized, her heart racing.I must keep him speaking. If he marries Duchess Buford, he will never be stopped. He will be untouchable, just as he has planned all along!
“Miss Rose!” the duchess yelled, her face a mask of devastation. “My late husband’s death was an accident, a terrible, tragic accident! Please, do not ruin the happiness which the captain and I have found together!”
