Page 57 of The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor
She thought of the mysterious meeting she had witnessed in the night and suddenly she wondered if one of the Boyles had been Captain Balfour’s companion.
“If she is becoming fanciful of Lord Buford, telling her what we know could hinder her future happiness.”
There was a long silence and Rose waited, her pulse racing wildly in her veins.
“John, Rose has been through much. She deserves to know the truth and we should tell her. Only then can she truly move forward.”
“I disagree,” John said curtly. “It will do more harm than good.”
Good Lord,Rose thought angrily, pushing open the door.Is this what they have been doing all night? Arguing over whether to deceive me? I hope it is well worth missing meals for I am going to learn what it is they have kept from me.
“Rose!” the Boyles chorused as she entered, her blue eyes flashing with upset.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, blinking through her anger. “What is it I am not meant to know?”
“Rose–” John started to say but Bridget cut him off mid-sentence.
“She has heard us, John. We must tell her the truth now.”
“Bridget, be reasonable,” John muttered. “We cannot…”
He faltered as if realizing there was no other option in that moment, sighing in resignation.
“What is it? What have you kept from me?” Rose exploded. “I deserve to know!”
The couple exchanged a nervous look and suddenly both seemed reluctant to speak but Rose was insistent.
“Please!” she begged, attempting to keep the ire from her tone. “I have endured enough without having you conspire against me!”
“We would never conspire against you!” Bridget gasped, shocked by the accusation. “You are like our own daughter, Rose!”
“Then you must tell me what you have hidden from me!”
John inhaled deeply and hung his head in defeat.
“Yes, Rose,” he mumbled, refusing to meet her steadfast gaze. “Tis time you knew the truth.”
“The truth about what?” Her voice was near hysterical and John rose his hand to calm her as Bridget reached her side, placing a palm on her arm gently.
“Come and sit, my dear.”
“I do not wish to sit!” Rose cried, wrenching her arm away as she sensed a delay tactic.
“You should,” John sighed. “What we have to tell you is very painful.”
“John!” Rose wailed, tears welling in her eyes. “I cannot bear it a second longer. Please, what is it?”
Once more the Boyles eyed one another but Bridget sighed and answered her desperate plea.
“We know the unnatural circumstances of Philip’s death.”
Chapter 20
Nicholas was sure he had never been more miserable than the past two days. Snow slid into his boots to cast a puddle on the soles of his feet as the flakes whipped against his face, freezing the whiskers of hair to his face.
“This is bloody daft!” William Cromley announced, slamming his rifle to the snow in irritation as he reached into his waistcoat. He produced a flask and took a swig, offering the marquess which Nicholas accepted gratefully.
“We will never catch even a dashed squirrel in this miserable posting!”
