Page 28 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
I imagine that is his mother’s way of saying he is a Lothario,she mused but it was a translation she kept to herself.
“Lord Buford,” she said hastily. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She turned to face him fully and noted that he remained in the open door, unmoving.
“Forgive me for the intrusion, Miss Rose but I hoped to get you alone for a few moments. I realize this is unorthodox, but I fear I will be overheard if we speak anywhere else. May I enter?”
A shiver of nervousness slid through her body and her instinct was to refuse. It was improper to have a man—especially a nobleman—in her bedchambers. What if someone was to see? Yet what if she did refuse? Would he grow angry? Threaten her job? Perhaps there would be no threatening whatsoever and she would merely be on the snow-capped lawn within the hour.
This is it. I have felt darkness coming and now it has manifested itself. I am so fond, so gullible.
“I assure you, this will not take but a minute,” he added, studying her face. “Please?”
Rose swallowed, nodding slowly and reluctantly.
“Of course, Lord Buford,” she breathed. “How may I assist you?”
She had no choice but to do as he asked, but no matter what it was, she would not stay at Rosecliff in the aftermath. She would take her wages and return to Dartford to live out her days with John and Bridget Boyle. Rose watched warily as he closed the door gently behind him, but he remained precisely where he was, a sheepish smile appearing on his lips.
“You will think me foolish,” he told her.
“Of course not, my lord,” she assured him. “Whatever it is, I will not think you foolish.”
“I would like to take the children tobogganing this Sunday after church and I was hoping you would accompany us.”
Rose blinked twice, uncomprehendingly.
“Tobogganing?”
“Yes. I realize it is your off day, but if you haven’t other plans, I believe they would enjoy it immensely.”
She gaped at him, her mind whirling.
“I – I am afraid I do not understand,” was all she could manage to say, and he laughed uncomfortably.
“It is somewhat of a sad tale,” he sighed. “I forewarn you.”
“I am a collector of sad tales,” she replied.
“My cousins lost their parents two years ago in a terrible accident. It was a queer thing which left them orphaned and in our guardianship.”
Rose nodded, her hands firmly clenched across the waist of her flaring skirt. They were slick with sweat as she waited to see where this conversation was leading.
“They had a Yuletide tradition with their parents,” the marquess continued. “Tobogganing in Buford Park and caroling in the evening. I continued the tradition by taking them to the park in the daytime and my parents took them with the church choir caroling in the evening.”
Rose’s heart grew heavy and full as she understood, and she dropped her head.
“The children have taken to you in such a short time,” Lord Buford continued. “I think they would like for you to join us.”
Rose gulped and shook her blonde tresses.
“It does not seem right infringing on a family affair, a tradition,” she said. “Thank you for considering me, Lord Buford but I do not think it appropriate.”
He exhaled deeply.
“There is more,” he muttered, averting his gaze as her head rose.
“Such as?”
