Page 36 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
If I am to be reprimanded for speaking to the cousins in such a way, I will not have it,he told himself firmly.I have just as much say in their rearing as either mother or father.
“Sherry?” the duke asked as he threw open the dark door to the library and strolled toward the decanters on a shadowy shelf.
“Yes,” he replied, folding his arms across his large chest and waiting for the beginnings of his lecture. “I could use the lubrication for what’s forthcoming.”
The duke snickered, pouring the drinks before turning to hand a short-stemmed goblet to his son.
“You surprise me on occasion, Nicholas,” his father said, arching an eyebrow as he brought the glass to his mouth.
“I assume that was not meant to be puffing, father?”
“Sometimes, I think myself too gentle with you, too tight with the reins because I fear you will be disillusioned with politics. I think, Grayson, he is too kind for what a cruel world there is beyond what he knows. He is a good boy.”
Nicholas stared at his father, his jaw locking as he waited for the rest of the soliloquy.
“Then I consider how strong you are, built like an ox, a man of stature and charisma. I tell myself, you are wrong, Grayson old chap, this boy will go far with his maturity and intelligence.”
“Father – “
“And I decide,” Duke Buford continued as if Nicholas had not spoken. “To give you more responsibility, to show you more. But what do you do before I can bequeath you more power? You explode in a fit of anger like a boy of three about what? About a flirtation which everyone in the household is aware?”
Nicholas’ mouth parted but no words fell forth.
“Everyone knows you have designs on Rose Parsons, Nicholas. It is no secret and the children were not mocking you. They adore that woman likely as much as you do.”
“I know they do, father,” Nicholas sighed deeply.
“Then why on God’s green earth would you snap at them so ferociously? They are children, Nicholas!”
“I know, father and I will ask their forgiveness,” he muttered, heat burning his face. “It was childish, I concur.”
“What is it with Miss Rose, Nicholas?” his father prompted. “I have seen the way you two exchange glances, but I sense that you are not the lovers you wish to be.”
Nicholas shook his head miserably and sank onto the chaise, tasting his sherry for the first time.
“I am not sure what it is,” he confessed. “She seems to enjoy our time together and she seeks me out for companionship but only with the children. She keeps me at a fair distance.”
Nicholas gazed at his father.
“One moment, father – you know of my affections for her and you approve?”
“Why would I not? I cannot think of a better match for you, Nicholas. She is lovely and kind, wonderful with children. What else could you possibly wish for in a wife?”
“Her lack of status does not trouble you?”
He loathed to ask, the question sounding crass to his own ears, but he needed to ensure that if he could ever convince Rose to be courted, he would not be disapproved by his parents. They would have a difficult enough affair convincing the rest of England of their legitimacy without having a war within the manor walls.
I have gotten much ahead of myself.
“How many times have your mother and I told you we only want what makes you the happiest? If we were concerned with status, we would have married you off a long while ago and I believe you know that.”
He did. His parents had never forced any of the traditional ways upon him, not since the day he was born. The choice had always been his and now, he believed he knew what he wanted.
Yet she is not ready. Life is cruel, is it not?
“It must be trying for a widow,” Duke Buford offered. “Particularly one in a new town, without family or friends to speak of. I see how she stares after you, Nicholas. In time, she will succumb to your charms, but you cannot force your hand in such things. I suspect in Miss Rose’s case, she would sooner leave than be cornered into a place she does not feel she is ready to be in. And if she leaves, the children will be devastated.”
Nicholas knew they would not be the only ones.
