Page 13 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
Then, Amelia’s response surprised him.
“Oh, it’s quite all right, my lord. A child’s imagination should be allowed to roam freely. I believe that every old home, such as your own, every castle, every manor house, has a few ghost stories of their own. Anna’s tales have done nothing but add a certain unearthly magic to our morning stroll.”
For a moment, he wondered about so many things…but most importantly, if a woman like this was a blessing or a curse.
***
As the conversation flowed, Amelia couldn’t believe how the initial formality seemed to melt away, giving rise to shared laughter and easy conversation that resonated within the cozy dining room of Ravenscroft Manor, a place she so desperately wanted to become a part of.
“Very rarely and almost always for business. The city does offer its own charms, but here, in the countryside, there is a peace that envelops you. The quietude, the connection to nature, it’s a different kind of existence,” Amelia heard Sebastian reply to her question about how often he traveled to the city.
Amelia pondered on his thoughts for a moment. “Indeed,” she easily agreed. “I have to admit, I myself am yearning for retreat from the cacophony of city life. It allows one to appreciate the simple pleasures and the beauty of the natural surroundings.”
“Is that why you accepted my invitation?” he suddenly asked a question that caught her off guard.
She realized that so many things here caught her off guard, yet she didn’t seem to mind. She felt as if he did not ask these questions to pry, but rather to find out more about him. The thought titillated her strangely. He wanted to know more about her. Did that mean that she had gotten the job? She tried to suppress a smile, but it was difficult to do so.
“Partly,” she said, deciding to follow the path of the truth, for it had never steered her wrong. “You are probably aware of the fact that my last employment, with Lord Davenport, ended rather…abruptly.” She didn’t know what other word to use.
Then again, how on earth was a lady to explain that the master of the house tried to force himself on her, and when she refused his advances, he told her that her services would no longer be necessary? The very thought made her feel ashamed, and without anyone she could turn to.
“There were certain…things we did not see eye to eye on, and we agreed it was best that I left his employment,” she explained as simply as she could, although she knew that this might raise more questions. She felt grateful when she noticed that he was listening and had no intention of asking anything further than what she herself was willing to divulge. “But my experience and references speak for themselves,” she quickly added. “Still,I believe that a child belongs to nature. And staying here, with you and Anna…I mean, as Anna’s governess, would be beyond wonderful.”
The moment she said those words, she could see the joy emanating from Anna’s very being. The words just flowed out of her without her even thinking about forming them. Yes, it was the truth. She wanted to stay here with both of them. But would he see it as a desire for something more? She silently reminded herself to be more cautious with her words, and her thoughts as well, for they were the treacherous ones, offering memories of what it felt like to be in his strong arms, inches away from his lips and muscular chest.
The truth was obvious, no matter how much she refused to admit it, even to herself. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to taste his tongue on hers, to inhale the manly fragrance that oozed off of him. She wanted to dig her fingers into his hair and ruffle it as their lips locked.
Amelia…that voice brought her back to the present moment. She couldn’t believe that she was even thinking of such things at a time like this.
She locked eyes with the earl and froze. She looked away and feared she had said something wrong, that she said more than she ought to have said. But a moment later, the earl’s gaze met hers again as he spoke with a measured yet sincere tone.
“Speaking of that, Mis. Wycliffe…I have considered our conversation from the previous night and the rapport you seem to have with Anna. I believe it would benefit us all if you would accept the position of governess to my niece.”
Amelia, her eyes brightening with genuine joy and delight, didn’t hesitate. “Lord Ravenscroft, I…I would be honored to be Anna’s governess. I accept the position with all my gratitude.”
Anna herself couldn’t contain her excitement. “Oh, Miss Wycliffe, that is most wonderful! We are going to have so much fun together!”
Amelia couldn’t even react to the news properly, when little Anna’s arms wrapped up around her neck, pulling her into a warm embrace. The only thing Amelia could do was return it with as much enthusiasm and warmth as she had been shown. She closed her eyes for a moment, still thinking that this was some wonderful dream she might wake up from any moment. But when she opened her eyes, she was still here, with those little arms still firmly wrapped around her neck.
Sebastian was smiling at them both. It was a smile she hadn’t seen yet, a smile that made her heart skip a beat. She wondered what he was hiding underneath those dark eyelashes, all his thoughts, his emotions. A part of her yearned to see the vulnerable side of this man who had suffered so much tragedyin his life but was still adamant in assuring the well-being of his niece.
“I think both Anna and I are pleased to have you here at Ravenscroft Manor, Miss Wycliffe. I trust you will find your time here both rewarding and…interesting.”
“Thank you so much,” Amelia gushed. “I look forward to all the time we shall spend together, Anna.”
“Are you done with breakfast?” Anna suddenly squealed with even more delight. “We could continue our stroll from this morning! Or we could go down to the garden! Maybe the lake? Or feed the birds in the woods? Oh, there is so much we will do, Miss Wycliffe!”
“Settle down, Anna,” Sebastian urged, patting his palm against the table. “Let’s allow Miss Wycliffe to settle in first, unpack her belongings, and maybe even rest properly, seeing you did not let her sleep this morning.”
“Oh…” Anna blushed, but there was a smile on everyone’s face. There would be no chastising this time.
“I am not tired at all,” Amelia assured them both. “I would love to see the garden…just allow me to finish my tea first.”
“Splendid!” Anna clapped her little hands, then continued talking as if there was no tomorrow.
Amelia listened as Anna’s hurried stories wove an endless tapestry of events that took place or the ones that were yet to happen, and she thanked her lucky stars that she had been welcomed in this home. She knew that this morning was the commencement of a new chapter in the unfolding tale of the mysterious Ravenscroft Manor, a chapter where the bond between the three of them would become the very heart of the manor’s storied legacy.
Chapter 8
