Page 44 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“No, no,” Sebastian continued to tease, pretending that he didn’t believe her. “This is too good, Anna. Are you really, but really certain that you…you yourself and not anyone else, wrote it?”
Anna was now giggling even harder. “Miss Wycliffe had been here the entire time, watching me write it. Go on, ask her.”
These words immediately made Amelia an active participant in this sweet little game they were playing, and she gladly accepted this role when Sebastian gave her a meaningful look.
“Miss Wycliffe,” he said, pretending to sound grave and solemn, but a burst of laughter simmered just underneath the surface of his words. “You must tell the truth now. Did Anna write this poem all on her own?”
“In all honesty, my lord, she did.” Amelia in turn, also did her best to sound official, almost as if she were speaking in front of a magistrate, and it made the entire situation all the more comical.
“I never would have guessed. I would say you were reading from an anthology of poetry written by the literary greats,” Sebastian smiled affectionately at Anna, who drank in the sight of him as he got down to his knees so they would be on the same eye level. Amelia’s heart felt as if it would implode with the strength of her emotions that seemed to overtake her completely at this tender sight.
“Really, Uncle?” Anna’s words tugged at Amelia’s heartstrings.
“That was truly lovely, Anna.” Sebastian nodded, his voice laden with honey as he spoke. “You’ve managed to capture something special. Love and family and treasures we should always hold dear, even when they are not within grasp.”
His eyes met Amelia’s, and for a fleeting moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. She wondered what he was referring to. Perhaps he meant her own family, who were far away from her? Or was he referring to his own? She couldn’t tell. But still, that didn’t diminish the power of their bond, which seemed to form instantly, and then disappeared almost as quickly when he continued.
“Now, if you two ladies are done, perhaps we could have tea in the garden?” he suggested. “We…are having guests.”
“Guests?” Anna’s eyes widened in surprise. “Who is it?”
He scratched the back of his neck, which made him appear slightly nervous. Amelia wondered what could have caused such a reaction, but she knew better than to pry into affairs that did not concern her. Instead, she remained silent and waited for more clarification that was to come on its own.
***
“Some…cousins of mine, I mean, ours.” Sebastian didn’t want to delve into deeper explanations, especially in light of the fact that they would not be staying long enough to get too comfortable here. However, seeing that they had traveled all the way to Ravenscroft Manor and came bringing gifts, Sebastian felt that it was his duty as a good host to allow them to stay the night.
“Have I met them before?” Anna wondered, curiosity having enveloped her completely.
He knew why that was so. They were secluded here, in the middle of nowhere, and he had to admit that he loved it that way. At the same time, he knew that Anna needed the company of her own peers, but that would be a problem he wanted to solveat a later point. For the time being, Amelia would be enough company.
“No, not really,” he admitted. “In fact, I have never met them before either.”
This was only partly true. He seemed to remember Frederick, or it might as well could have been a completely different man. Sebastian couldn’t tell. All he had were vague stories and recollections of the same. And he had met many a gentleman in his lifetime. The faces had all blurred into one at some point.
Anna frowned at this. “Then how do you know they are your cousins?”
The question was so preposterous but utterly reasonable at the same time, if such a thing was even possible, to have those two conflicting characteristics simultaneously.
“Well…I know that Mr. Turlington’s grandfather was my grandfather’s cousin as well, so that makes us cousins, too…distant ones, but cousins nonetheless.”
Anna wasn’t impressed and for a good reason. “Are you friends?”
The question caught him off guard. “Well…no, not really. I told you, I don’t know them.”
“There is someone else?” she asked.
“Yes. His sister, Vivienne.” He nodded, hoping to bring this interrogation to an end, although secretly, he had to admit that Anna was asking all the right questions. “She has brought you a gown.”
“A gown?” Anna was finally distracted enough not to be suspicious any longer. “May I see it?”
Sebastian smiled, relieved. “Let’s meet them in the garden, and I’m sure they will be happy to show you your presents.”
About half an hour later, the five of them were all seated in the garden at a wrought-iron table, enjoying some tea and scones, which were served alongside. Anna was gushing over the gown she had received as a gift, pressing it to her body and swirling around on the grass, pretending to be at a ball, dancing with a gentleman.
“She is such a lovely girl,” Vivienne commented, not looking away from Anna even for a single second.
She was obviously delighted that Anna loved the gift. Frederick was seated next to her, but he, on the other hand, did not look away from Amelia.
