Page 42 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“Frederick,” Sebastian repeated, feeling no familial sensations toward this man or his sister.
He walked over to the corner and tugged at the rope. He had his back turned to his guests, which only seemed to make him even more nervous. A subtle but unmistakable air of suspicion lingered in his mind. Despite the outward cordiality and polite exchanges, something gnawed at his instincts, prompting him to scrutinize the duo with a heightened sense of wariness.
Frederick, obviously the elder of the siblings, bore the countenance of a man who was both serious and composed. His demeanor, while outwardly amicable, held a certain reserve that did not escape Sebastian’s discerning eye. There was an elusive quality about him, an aspect of his character that seemed to retreat from the probing scrutiny of familial inquiry.
His sister only added to Sebastian’s suspicion. It wasn’t her appearance that raised doubts; rather, it was the intangible sense of mystery that clung to her. Sebastian wondered whether her unassuming demeanor concealed layers of complexity or hidden motivations that lay beneath the surface.
As a man well-versed in navigating the intricacies of social interactions, Sebastian couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the Turlington siblings than met the eye. Whether fueled by intuition or past experiences, his instincts whispered a cautionary note, urging him to tread carefully in the presence of these newfound relatives.
At that moment, a knock at the door made everyone turn their attention to the butler, who had been called in.
“Stevens, if you would kindly show our guests to the guest chambers,” Sebastian urged, choosing to calm down his racing suspicions, attributing them to his long status of hermithood. “They will be joining us for dinner.”
“Of course, Lord Ravenscroft.” The butler bowed respectfully.
“You may rest up,” Sebastian addressed his cousins. “Once Anna has finished with her lessons, I shall send for you, and we can all have some tea in the garden.”
“We are looking forward to it very much,” Frederick spoke on behalf of them both.
A moment later, they left his study, following the butler, and Sebastian was left alone with the torrent of his own thoughts. He tried to remember how much he knew about these cousins, but all his mind could conjure were some vague stories he had been told as a child. In other words, nothing of any essence that might shed some light on the mystery as to why they were here.
Their story that they had come to greet Anna was plausible, but barely. It had been only three days since Anna’s accident. How on earth did news reach London that fast? Did Dr. Thorne share it with anyone? It was possible. Although Sebastian did not know him as a man who spread stories, it would not be impossible for the man or his wife to have shared it with someone, who in turn informed someone else. Sometimes, word traveled faster than lightening. Sebastian had witnessed it on more than one occasion.
As much as he tried, he couldn’t think of who else could have released the news into the world.
Err on the side of caution,he reminded himself. But sometimes, that was easier said than done.
Sebastian sighed, realizing that, at least for the time being, he was stuck with these people under the same roof. After all, it wasjust one night, and then the following day, they would be going back home. It all sounded simple enough.
Chapter 22
In a cozy room filled with the soft glow of sunlight filtering through delicate curtains, Amelia and Anna sat together, surrounded by books and the gentle hum of nature outside their open window. The atmosphere was one of warmth and learning, something they both enjoyed immensely.
That morning, Amelia engaged Anna in the wonders of literature and language. That was her favorite topic. She could see how Anna’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as the girl absorbed each word, eager to explore the worlds crafted by different authors. As the lessons progressed, the air was filled with laughter and the occasional gasp of amazement.
Amelia’s patient guidance and Anna’s natural intellect created a harmonious working environment. The room echoed with the delightful sound of turning pages and shared insights, as they pointed out interesting passages, providing differing viewpoints on it.
Suddenly, Anna wondered out loud. “Miss Wycliffe…do you think that people in these stories face challenges like we all do? I mean, like real challenges?”
Amelia smiled, her eyes reflecting the joy of shared exploration. “Indeed, Anna. Literature has always been a mirror that reflects the human experience across ages. It allows us to connect withcharacters who, despite their differences, share the same trials and tribulations as we all do.”
Amelia went to a small shelf in the corner, and after a few moments of consideration, she picked up a volume of poetry. She proceeded to recite a verse with deep passion.
“You see,” she paused tenderly, “words have the power to transport us, to evoke emotions we never knew existed.”
Anna seemed to be enchanted by the poetic language. “Could you teach me to express myself like this, Miss Wycliffe?”
Amelia’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Absolutely, my dear. Would you like to try now?”
“Yes, please!” Anna gushed, and moments later, they were both seated at a sturdy oak table, quills in hand, embarking on a poetic journey of crafting a verse about love and family.
Amelia gently encouraged Anna to delve into her emotions. “Think of the moments that fill your heart with warmth, Anna, my dear. The laughter shared, the embraces felt, and the bonds that tie us all together. Inspiration will flow from that.”
Anna, deep in thought, began to express her feelings on the parchment. Her little hand worked slowly, then hastily, as if she didn’t want to forget a single word forming inside her mind. Shefocused on her paper, her little mouth grimacing as she was lost in thought.
Once she was done, she read it proudly. “Love is a gentle breeze that whispers through our home, weaving threads of joy in every room.”
“That is a great start.” Amelia smiled proudly. “What else?”
