Page 7 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“Miss Wycliffe, as the prospective governess for my niece, what areas of education and refinement do you propose to impart on her?” he asked, thinking that conversing about business would be more comfortable. He was right.
Amelia, composed with her hands resting elegantly in her lap, met his gaze with a steady demeanor. He wanted to see whether she understood the gravity of the inquiry and the importance of delineating her role in the education of his niece. As he would come to see, Amelia would not disappoint.
“My lord,” she began, her hazel eyes reflecting sincerity, as if the words had not been rehearsed at all but rather came straight from her heart, “I believe in fostering a well-rounded education. Apart from the standard academic subjects, I am to instill valuesof courtesy, literature, and the arts. It is my intention to nurture not only her intellect but also her character, preparing her for a life of grace and responsibility.”
“I see,” he said, not willing to show that he was utterly satisfied with her response.
“I have had the privilege of serving as a governess for several years,” she suddenly continued, her voice carrying a warmth that transcended the formalities of their conversation. “In my previous positions, I have not only imparted academic knowledge but also sought to nurture the individuality of the child in question. I find great satisfaction in witnessing their growth, both intellectually and morally.”
She continued to elaborate on her approach, her words painting a vivid picture of a dedicated educator. Her stories of fostering curiosity, encouraging creativity, and instilling a love for learning resonated with a deep sense of fulfillment. As she spoke, it became evident to Sebastian that her commitment to the role of a governess went beyond mere duty—it was a calling she embraced with genuine love.
Sebastian, who had been an attentive listener, observed the sincerity in Amelia’s words. The play of candlelight on her features highlighted the genuine enthusiasm that radiated from her. In those moments, the charged atmosphere of the study seemed to soften, replaced by a shared understanding of the importance of education and mentorship.
As Amelia spoke passionately about her experiences as a governess, Sebastian found himself captivated not only by the eloquence of her words but by the essence of her being. In the flickering candlelight, her hazel eyes were illuminated with the joy of nurturing young minds, and her genuine enthusiasm cast a spell that transcended the mere exchange of information.
The brooding Earl, known for his guarded demeanor, found himself drawn to more than just the allure of her refined gown embracing her silhouette or the mysteries concealed within the layers of her words. It was the woman herself—the governess with a genuine love for her work—that stirred a profound resonance within him.
Despite his unwillingness to do so, he couldn’t help but smile. “It is evident you are an intelligent young woman who loves what she does.”
She smiled back in a way that awakened all of his slumbering senses, making them tingle as if a million little fire ants were running up and down his back. He couldn’t believe that he was feeling like a smitten boy. Years of isolation had obviously forced him to forget his upbringing around a lady. He would need to rectify that.
“I am proud to say I do.” She nodded. She then looked around, glancing at the bookshelves lined with all sorts of books. “ButI see that you are also no stranger to education beyond the confines of the classics.”
He nodded, caught off guard by her comment. “My interests…vary.”
“The mark of an intelligent mind,” she pointed out, suddenly getting up and walking over to the bookshelf.
He watched with an intensity that was not usually befitting of him as she delicately touched the spines of the volumes. Her fingers, gentle and precise, traced the intricacies of the leather-bound tomes. The act, seemingly mundane, took on a sensual quality in the quietude of the study. The way her fingers lingered, the subtle caress of the spines beneath her touch—it spoke of a connection beyond the intellectual.
Her body stretched, elongated and swan-like, and for a moment, he wondered what she would feel like nestled in his arms. The atmosphere in the study immediately became charged with his unspoken desires, tinged with a subtle sensuality.
Suddenly, her wandering fingers stopped. With a careful yet determined touch, she pulled out a particularly rare-looking and ornate book from the shelf.
“Oh…you havethis?” she asked, cradling the book in her hands. The play of emotions on her face, a mixture of excitement and reverence, mirrored the significance of the find.
Thiswas a well-worn, leather-bound volume titledWhispers of Eternity.He had never met anyone who knew of that book, as it had not been published in England, or in Europe, for that matter. He had brought it from his one and only trip to India, and it was a compilation of poetry and philosophical musings. The verses spoke of timeless themes, exploring the interplay of love, loss, and the ephemeral nature of existence.
“You know it?” he inquired, a note of surprise coloring his usually reserved tone.
Amelia looked up from the pages of the book she had just opened. “Indeed,” she replied, her voice carrying a quiet wisdom he had not expected. “The verses are timeless, exploring the depths of human emotion and the fleeting nature of our existence.”
Sebastian, accustomed to being surrounded by enigmas and secrets, found himself intrigued by this unexpected connection. The shared appreciation for a piece of literature created a bridge between them, transcending the roles of governess and employer, something that was a dangerous terrain to tread…for more than one reason.
Chapter 5
There was something about the earl’s shock, the surprise, the utter awe in his eyes, that amused Amelia beyond belief. It urged her to continue, and without even realizing she was slowly finding her way back to the big oak desk where he was standing now.
“Whispers of Eternityis indeed a rare find,” she began, gripping the book and pressing it to her chest like the most precious of treasures. “I had the fortune of coming across it when I accidentally stumbled onto a secluded antiquarian bookstore. The owner, a sweet, elderly scholar with a penchant for unearthing hidden gems, introduced me to this particular volume.
I, of course, could not afford the book…it would have been silly of me to even contemplate it, but he was kind enough to let me stay there for a while and read it as much as I could in the time I was there.”
She paused for a moment, allowing the memory to wash over her. That feeling of calmness, that soothing knowledge that everything was as it ought to be, was something that belonged to a former version of herself.
“Its rarity and the profound beauty of its verses captivated me,” she admitted with a slight blush, remembering that one of the poems was slightly more forward than a poem ought to be.
Suddenly, she felt as if someone had broken the spell. She remembered why she was at the manor. The weight of this unexpected, shared moment lingered in the study, but she could sense that the delicate balance between openness and propriety was being breached. She quickly turned around and placed the book back on the shelf. Her eyes, once alight with enthusiasm, now reflected a subtle awareness of the boundaries that defined their roles.
“I beg your pardon, my lord,” she said with a respectful inclination of her head, her tone carrying a note of sincere apology. “I did not intend to overstep any bounds. It’s just…literature has always been a source of solace for me, and perhaps I got carried away in the joy of discovering something I never thought I would see again.”
