Page 5 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
She exchanged a meaningful glance with Anna, who smiled, but her smile quickly faded and gave way once again to shame.
“Tell Mrs. Tolley to prepare dinner for you,” the earl addressed Anna, without replying to Amelia first. “It is far too late for you to be frolicking about.”
“And you?” Anna asked, sounding hopeful.
“I have to speak to Miss Wycliffe,” he replied, turning to Amelia again.
Their eyes locked, and Amelia could only now take a good look at the man standing in front of her. His dark hair looked soft to the touch; his features were chiseled, and the intensity of his gray eyes seemed to pierce through the layers of mystery that surrounded him. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on his strong jawline and accentuated the depth of his brooding gaze.
He stood tall and commanding, a figure both powerful and enigmatic. The well-tailored clothes adorned his muscular frame, enhancing the air of authority that seemed to exude from him. There was an undeniable magnetism in his presence, a force that drew attention and held it captive. She could easily imagine him being the most desirable of all eligible bachelors at a ball.
“Miss Wycliffe,” he addressed her formally, offering her his hand in a much-anticipated moment of official greeting.
She hesitated for a moment, then shook it. In that moment, the air crackled with unspoken tension, an invisible thread weaving between them. Everything about this man was alluring, from the way his brows furrowed to the way the corners of his lips curled slightly upward, refusing to allow even the slightest of smiles.
Their handshake lingered longer than customary, but neither of them seemed to notice. She found herself captivated by more than just his external allure. His attractiveness went beyond his striking physical appearance and muscular build. His reserved demeanor, coupled with the enigmatic gleam in his eyes, hinted at depths yet to be explored. There was a sense of unread chapters in the book of his life, and she felt an irresistible pull to uncover the truths that lay within.
“My lord,” she finally found the words to address him as formally as he had addressed her, but her heart fluttered at being so close to him that she could smell the faint fragrance of his cologne. “I must apologize for my tardiness.”
“I suppose some circumstances are beyond our control,” he said, and she took this as him accepting her apology, although not in those exact words.
Amelia felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere as the earl’s gaze lingered upon her. The charged intensity that had sparked between them now bore a nuance of awareness. As their eyes met, a realization dawned on her—the once-elegant gown shewore had borne the brunt of the mud-laden journey. The delicate fabric now clung to her, stained and soiled, a testament to the challenges she faced on the way to Ravenscroft Manor.
A flush of self-consciousness washed over Amelia as she acknowledged the state of her attire. The grandeur of the manor seemed to amplify the contrast between her disheveled appearance and the refined setting around her. In that moment, she became acutely aware of the need for a change.
He seemed to have been able to read her mind. “Why don’t you have a change of clothes before we continue with the interview?” he suggested, in what she would find to be his customary brevity. “Stevens will show you to the guest chamber.”
Amelia realized that Stevens, the butler, had removed himself from plain view the moment Anna burst into the entryway, but he had not left the two ladies alone. He watched on, silent and invisible, yet omnipresent, as a good butler ought to be.
“I would be grateful for that.” She smiled, trying to conceal her nervous state.
His words, though polite, carried an undertone that hinted at his keen perception. The offer, however, delivered with a formality that she had already expected, resonated in the quiet corridors of Ravenscroft Manor. It was somehow an unspoken acknowledgment that went beyond the need for mere practicality.
Amelia decided to see this as her chance to shed the remnants of the journey, the prejudice, the fear, and the doubt, and perhaps, to present herself anew.
“I shall wait in my study,” he informed her, turning around and disappearing down the darkened corridor.
Anna lifted her gaze and smiled at her again. “I still think you are beautiful, even in a muddy gown.”
Amelia couldn’t help but smile back at this sweet angel who was obviously endeavoring to build up her courage before the interview was to take place.
“You are so sweet.” Amelia nodded, resisting the urge to caress the little girl’s cheek. It would probably be too forward of her to show so much affection so early on. “Now, off you go to have dinner.”
Anna turned to run, but before she did so, her gaze lingered on Amelia a moment longer. “I hope you stay with us for a long time, Miss Wycliffe.”
“I hope so, too, Anne,” Amelia replied, watching Anna disappear down the same corridor.
Now, she was alone with the butler, who motioned for her to follow him. As she walked, her steps were measured, the subtle rustle of her soiled gown a reminder of the challenges she had left behind, or perhaps, the challenges yet to come.
The butler, having shown her to the guestroom, discreetly left her to her own devices. Closing the door behind him, the subtle click resonated through the room, leaving Amelia in a cocoon of quietude. The scent of polished wood and a hint of lavender wafted in the air, soothing her senses.
In the stillness of the guestroom, Amelia allowed herself a moment to collect her thoughts. The flickering candlelight danced on the walls, casting shadows that seemed to carry the echoes of the night’s events. The anticipation from the encounter with the earl lingered, but now she had a moment to compose herself before facing the enigmatic figure once more.
As she proceeded to change her clothes, she remembered the exchanged words, the measured cadence of the earl’s voice, which resonated with a magnetic allure. His every movement, deliberate and purposeful, only fueled her sudden and unexpected fascination with this man. Her body reacted in a way she hadn’t anticipated. Her cheeks flushed. Her heart raced.
A strange warmth spread throughout her entire body from a mere glance sent in her direction. She tried to assure herselfthat it was merely the effect of a long journey and the uncertain prospects of her future. Nothing else.
Shortly after, she stood before the looking glass, her transformation complete. The reflection staring back at her exuded a quiet strength, a determination that belied the uncertainties that lingered in the grand corridors beyond the confines of the guestroom.
