Page 15 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“Who?” Sebastian asked in a confused manner. But there was no confusing his old friend.
“The governess,” Nicholas clarified, taking his hand out of his pocket.
Dressed in worn but well-maintained attire, Nicholas’ clothing mirrored the practical nature of his work. A faded vest, sturdy trousers, and well-worn leather boots attested to a life dedicated to the care of the manor’s sprawling grounds.
Nicholas’ hands, weathered and calloused, were a testament to decades of toiling in the soil and maintaining the grandeur of Ravenscroft Manor. Yet, those hands, roughened by years of hard work, bore an inherent gentleness—a touch that had soothed the wounds of the land and the hearts of those who called the manor home.
“Miss Wycliffe,” Sebastian said, clearing his throat. “Amelia.”
“Indeed.” Nicholas’ eyes met Sebastian’s with a familiarity that went beyond the formalities of their respective roles. The groundskeeper, a longtime friend of Sebastian and his late brother Henry, seemed to be in possession of more knowledge than he was willing to divulge.
“I have offered her the position this morning, and she has accepted,” Sebastian continued, having that strange, unpleasant feeling of being but a little boy who had a secret he didn’t want to share with anyone.
“I saw her last night upon arrival,” Nicholas clarified. “Alone.”
“Her carriage got stuck in the mud,” Sebastian explained. “She walked through the woods.”
“Walked?” Nicholas whistled in awe. “A brave soul.”
“Mmhmm,” Sebastian murmured. Somehow, he felt as if he was merely telling Nicholas things the man already knew. “There’s something about her that caught Anna’s fancy from the moment they met.”
Nicholas smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Only Anna’s?”
Sebastian swallowed with difficulty. “If Anna likes her…”
“You are her guardian. It is your decision,” Nicholas reminded him. “I see the winds of change blowing through Ravenscroft, I reckon.”
“What do you mean?” Sebastian wondered, amused, despite his reluctance for it.
“A new governess might bring more than just lessons and rules,” the old man spoke mysteriously.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. “You speak as if the manor itself holds its breath, waiting to see what unfolds.”
The groundskeeper’s gaze softened, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. “It’s seen its share of stories, my lord. But change, when it comes, has a way of weaving its own tales. Miss Wycliffe might just be the one to pen a new chapter for Ravenscroft Manor, a chapter different from all the others…and she could maybe even change the ending.”
“The ending?” Sebastian echoed.
Nicholas shook his head. “Don’t mind this old fool, my lord,” he assured him. “My mind is not what it used to be. It speaks nonsense sometimes. But what I do know is that the ladies are out in the garden, and the day is lovely. Why don’t you join them?”
Sebastian quickly showed Nicholas the brush he was still holding in his hand. “I just started to brush Zeus.”
“Zeus can wait,” Nicholas said, patting the horse, who seemed to neigh in response. “See? He agrees. Go on, now. I can finish up here. Zeus can tell me all about his days as a young steed, and I can do the same.”
Sebastian couldn’t help but chuckle. Nicholas always had a way to ease the situation and make everything seem so simple, so easy.
“That really isn’t a bad idea,” Sebastian agreed, still with that grin on his face.
He handed Nicholas the brush, patted Zeus’ head, and rushed out of the stables, hoping to catch up to Amelia and Anna. He was now certain that something as simple as the presence of a new governess hinted at the potential for extraordinary changes in the quiet, mysterious halls and sprawling grounds of Ravenscroft Manor.
Chapter 9
As Amelia and Anna meandered through the enchanting garden, the soft sounds of their footsteps were accompanied by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of nature. Suddenly, a set of approaching footsteps caught their attention, and they turned to see the earl making his way toward them.
Amelia’s heart raced immediately upon seeing him, and her blood rushed to her cheeks, making her blush ever so slightly. He quickly closed the distance between them, and the closer he got, the more nervous Amelia seemed to become. His presence did something to her; it had an effect on her unlike anyone before.
The play of sunlight filtering through the branches cast a warm glow on his features, making him resemble a Greek god who had descended down to earth to grace the mortals with his presence.
Thinking of Greek gods made her imagine him without his shirt, with his muscular chest and dark curls adorning it. She wanted to press her open palm to his bare skin, to feel his heartbeat against her own, to…
