Page 17 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
Amelia’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Symbols and documents? How utterly intriguing! Would it perhaps be possible for me to see them?”
He seemed surprised that she would express such a desire, but then he smiled. “Of course. If you wish, you could meet me in the library after dinner. I can share what records my family has gathered over the years and also show you the markings that have become a part of Ravenscroft lore.”
Amelia nodded without hesitation. “That would be so wonderful. I look forward to it!”
She lifted her hands to the level of her chest without even thinking about it, and as she did so, her fingers brushed against his. The contact, although fleeting and delicate, sent a subtle shiver through her. For a brief moment, time seemed to hesitate, allowing the sensation of that gentle touch to linger in the air like a silent promise.
Their eyes locked, with neither of them willing to look away. She was breathing heavily, her heart beating inside her throat, threatening to run away. But all she could do was gaze at him, unable to look away. The place where his fingers touched her felt like fire.
Her entire body was burning from this small accidental sensation, and she knew that this was dangerous ground shewas treading. This was supposed to be her safe haven, the place where she would run away from the rest of the world.
Now, it turned out that this might be even more dangerous, for she was standing at the edge of a precipice, looking down, looking athim.What she wanted was to fall into his embrace again and again and lose herself completely. She swallowed heavily, trying to calm her racing heart.
“Miss Wycliffe…” he spoke her name like a prayer. “Is there anyone back home who will miss you? Anyone whomyouwill miss?”
She couldn’t tell which one interested him more.
“No,” she said with amusement that such a thing was even possible. “Oh, no, my lord. Most of the boys, especially my older brother, always teased me for my love of reading. And the ladies in the last house I was a governess at—well, they took every opportunity to mock my education and humble beginnings.”
His gaze seemed to soften with understanding. “I could never see a fondness for reading as a negative character trait,” he admitted. “Furthermore, I myself know how gossip can be a cruel companion, and not only for that but for other reasons as well, I’ve never had a fondness for the judgments of theton. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve kept myself and Anna here in Ravenscroft Manor for so many years, accompanied solely by our loyal staff.”
Amelia nodded in agreement. “I can understand that. Sometimes, the solitude of a place like this can be a sanctuary from the judgments of the world.”
In that moment, a subtle connection seemed to blossom between them, an unspoken understanding of their shared experiences. As their eyes met, Amelia sensed a warmth passing between them, drawing them even closer now…dangerously so. For a heartbeat, it seemed as if they were suspended in a world of their own, where Amelia was silently urging him to come closer, to break the bonds that were keeping her a prisoner of her own desires.
However, before the intensity could fully take hold, Anna, with the innocence of youth, broke the spell. Bursting forth with a cluster of flowers, she presented each of them with a vibrant bloom, her infectious enthusiasm dispelling the charged air and bringing a lighthearted touch to the moment.
“This is for you, Miss Wycliffe!” Anna exclaimed, offering Amelia a lovely bouquet of wildflowers.
“Thank you, my dear,” Amelia gushed, accepting the unexpected gift. “These are lovely. Shall we go back and put them in some water?”
“Yes! Could we have a tea party and put on nice hats?” Anna asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.
Amelia chuckled. “I don’t see why not.”
“Splendid!” Anna exclaimed once again, grabbing them both by the hand, and pulling them back toward the manor house. Once again, Amelia felt that she truly belonged here, with this little girl who needed her. As for the earl…she knew that she had to tread with caution because if she gave in to her most secret desires, which burned passionately just underneath the surface of her propriety, the repercussions might be dire.
Chapter 10
That night, after dinner and putting Anna to bed, Amelia found herself in her chamber. The prospects of meeting Sebastian in the library a bit later occupied her every waking thought, but she decided to distract herself by scribbling a few lines to her best friend.
My dearest Rosalind,
I trust this letter find you in the best of health and spirits. How I miss our lively conversations and the comfort of your company. How I wish that you were here, by my side, that I share my news with you in person. Instead, I am writing to you from Ravenscroft Manor, where fate has led me to a new chapter in my life.
I was successful in obtaining the position of governess to the charming Miss Anna. I should say fortunately, should I not?
She paused here, unable to resist a little smile. The, her pen found the smooth confines of the paper, and her thoughts continued to flow.
The manor is vast, surrounded by sprawling gardens and an air of mystery that hangs over it. The journey here was fraught with challenges, but I am resolved to make this a new beginning. You yourself know better than anyone else that the past few weeks have been a relentless race to outrun the gossip that trailed me from my previous position. The abrupt end to my last governess position has cast a shadow, making it arduous to secure new employment, but I finally managed to do so, in spite of all the obstacles that stood in my way. Ravenscroft Manor seems to hold promise, and I cannot help but hope that this marks the new beginning I have been so fervently praying for.
Anna, the young charge under my care, is a delightful soul, full of exuberance and curiosity. The earl, her uncle, is a man of few words, his demeanor carrying an air of mystery that intrigues and unsettles me in equal measure. That is how I navigate the corridors of this ancient estate, carrying with me the lessons of the past and the hope for a brighter future. It seems to me that the blooms in the manor gardens symbolize this new beginning, and I find solace in their beauty.
I will write to you again soon, my dearest friend, and keep you informed of the events unfolding in this enigmatic manor. Until then, know that you are never far from my thoughts.
With affection,
Amelia
