by Fanny Finch
Having said that, I do look forward to meeting your charming son and heir. Likewise, I look forward to seeing my beautiful sister once more and enjoying the hospitality of her household.
All my love and sisterhood,
Delia
Concluding the letter, Delia allowed herself a moment to grieve. She allowed herself a moment to be sad that she had had to leave so much behind. Not only was she far from her family, but she was unable to even share truth with them.
She also considered that she had left other things out of the letter. She had not mentioned the fact that she was suddenly overwhelmed by her employer. She had not mentioned that he was a great deal better than she could possibly have imagined him to be.
What would Thea think of her if she admitted to having noticed that he, the widower, the man far above her station, was charming and handsome? Thea would never understand.
True, she had been married to a man of higher position when their family status was lowly. But that was different from a young woman growing an affection for her employer. This was entirely inappropriate.
Delia was terribly ashamed to the point that she had scarcely confessed it even to herself. No matter how difficult it had been to deny it, she had tried. But the fact of the matter was that the Earl of Dulshire had captivated her.
He was truly trying, making a genuine effort, to be a better father. He was kind and gracious to her. He treated her as special. And in that moment, Delia realized exactly what Amy had said.
No wonder the staff detested her. No wonder the rumors abounded. Had she not noticed how he looked at her in the garden? Of course the Earl had singled her out.
Clearly there was nothing more to it than his kindness. After all, he was a man of status. But she ought to have recognized that he really had been better to her than the others.
For a moment, she wondered about what Amy had hinted at the other staff suggesting about her. Was it possible that the Earl would use her for improper means?
Immediately the thought was thrust away. Delia knew better than that. He was a good man. He was not the sort who would abuse her in such a way. It was senseless to even consider or worry about such a thing.
The time came for Delia to seal and mail the letter. Down the stairs she went to the basket for staff letters and dropped her paper in.
Dinner with soon to begin and Delia had been made aware that the Earl was hosting a rather festive evening. It had seemed as though he was not looking forward to the time. Nevertheless, it was his duty as a man of society to do so. As a result, Delia had to check on Grace.
Once she was assured that Grace was getting prepared for the dinner, Delia made her way to the library.
She stepped inside to drop a book that she had been reading previously. But to her astonishment and surprise, a man stood in the middle of the room. A man she had not seen before.
“Oh, forgive me,” Delia exclaimed in her surprise.
The man turned and looked at her in equal shock.
Delia suddenly realized that she had caught him in the midst of a very private moment. He had been staring at a portrait on the wall. In that unguarded moment, he looked extremely distraught. It was a portrait that Delia had been told was of the Earl’s late wife.
Delia did not know who this man was. She did not know why he had been looking so intently at the portrait. But she was unnerved by it.
“And who might you be?” the man asked in irritation at having been disturbed.
“I am miss Caulfield. The governess. And I must beg your pardon,” Delia said uncomfortably.
“Oh, it is no concern. Do not worry young lady. I shall tell no one that you are snooping about the library,” the man replied, changing his tone to one of intrigue that left Delia feeling uncomfortable.
Delia was irritated by this accusation. She knew well that she had been given full permission and full access to use the library’s books.
“Well, I have been given full permission to come and go as I please,” she noted in veiled politeness.
“I am only joking, the man said. I am the Baron Woldorf. I am a good friend to the Earl of Dulshire’s as well as his late wife,” he said.
“Yes, of course, forgive me for the intrusion,” Delia said, giving a gentle curtsy.
“My my, you are quite the pretty one,” the Baron said.
Delia disliked this. She did not like to be thought of merely for her appearance. And she did not like the way the man said it. While he appeared to be polite, there was something cold in him. As if he had deduced some fact about her that she had not known about herself.
“I imagine the Earl must enjoy having you around,” he added. “Yes, every man enjoys a governess.”
Once more Delia was discomforted. Who did this man believe her to be? What was he accusing her and the Earl of?
“If you mean that every man enjoyed the improvement of his children, then yes, I must agree. However, that is the only delight the Earl has ever taken with me,” she said through gritted teeth.
“There is no need to look so skittish,” the man said. “I am merely commenting on the fact that I understand the true purposes of a governess.”
Delia considered that he might be rudely implying the very things that she and Amy had spoken of. She wondered if this man could truly be so openly discussing this.
“Again, my only purpose here is to educate Miss Grace. She is my charge. My only charge. And my only duty,” she reiterated.
There was something about his appearance that she could not deny was rather attractive. But his behavior was simply appalling.
“And what is your specialty?” the man asked.
“My specialty?” Delia echoed.
“Indeed, are you quite an expert with literature? Or perhaps languages? The arts or the sciences?” he inquired.
“Why, I believe I am competent with all of them. I do a great deal of study for my own sake. Furthermore, I should never allow a child to learn from an unlearned person,” Delia replied strongly.
She sensed that the man had underestimated her. He had deemed her to be a silly young thing. He had thought her a mere toy of the Earl’s.
But she would prove him wrong. She would prove to the Baron Woldorf that he was a fool, not she.
The man came closer to her and she could sense that he did, indeed, feel threatened by her strength. Delia lifted her chin and straightened her back subtly.
“You are cleverer than I might have suspected,” he admitted, showing no emotion on his face. Suddenly, Delia could not read him.
With deep, chocolate brown eyes, the Baron Woldorf stared into Delia’s. He was close and she ought to have backed away, but was determined not to appear frightened by him or intimidated by his behavior.
Delia recognized that he seemed to take pride in his own appearance. She was very uncomfortable at how close he had gotten to her. She was able to see the straight, whiteness of his teeth when he flashed her a wolfish grin.
This was not the sort of man she cared to be around. A man who was acutely aware of his good looks, who seemed as though he might devour any young lady in his path.
And then Delia watched as his eyes flashed back to the portrait and she made the connection.
No, this man was not after any young woman. He had no room in his heart for a woman like Delia. He had no desire to find any young lady who might get in the way of one that he had already committed himself to.
“Farewell to you, Miss Governess,” he called, not looking at her, as he left.
She watched him turn from her and make his way out of the library. Delia breathed a deep gulp of air once he was gone from her. She had felt as though she was suffocating.
Being away from that terrible man gave her a new sense of freedom and ease. It was a relief and a moment of peace that she appreciated deeply. However, Delia knew that he would be around the entire evening. She might not escape him again so easily.
Chapter 12
Anxiety flooded the Earl
’s gut. He truly detested having to host people in his home. However, that was the duty of a man in his position. But that was what had always been expected of men like him when others had already done their duty.
The whole day was a series of tiresome events. A slew of problems and challenges to overcome in order to create a well-to-do dinner. It hardly seemed worth the energy.
Mrs. Andrews had been in a fuss. It had only driven the Earl of Dulshire even more mad. And only discouraged him further from having to host such an event. She was being terribly fretful and the Earl had to remind her once more that this was her duty.
It was at the urging of Lord Duncy and the others that he had chosen to do this very thing. It was at the insistence of society that the Earl had given in. All of their pressure had gotten to him and he didn’t like it at all.
Alas, here he was, entirely unprepared, but pressing forward. He would do his best, and hope that all would be well. He had no doubt that it would turn into a frantic mess, but perhaps it could be salvaged.
As the guests begin to arrive, he placed a smile on his face and did all he could to pretend he was having a delightful time. Seeing Baron Woldorf was another delight. The man was a good friend whom he had known for a great many years. He greeted him in a friendly way, knowing that the man had been a part of his life for many years.
As all had gathered around the table and dinner was soon to be served, the Earl stood and clinked gently on his glass for everyone’s attention.
“My friends I cannot thank you enough for coming to my home,” the Earl greeted. It is a delight and joy to host you. I do hope that you enjoy the food and, of course, the drink. Should you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask. A toast to all of us!”
He lifted his glass and allowed the others to follow before they all took a sip to initiate the dinner. The Earl noted that a few of the guests were already indulging in more than a mere sip of their drink.
The Earl of Dulshire sat down to join in the meal. Plates were brought and soon all were enjoying what the kitchen had prepared. The footmen stood at the ready for any guest who might have a need, any glass that might be empty.
“Good heavens, my lord. I must beg the services of your chef,” an elderly woman drenched in pearls exclaimed.
The Earl looked at the wife of the Duke of Compton. He grinned in reply and told her, “Your Grace it would be my delight.”
Niceties and formal politeness abounded around the table. It was all false. It was all a mere show to see who was better than the other. It was all an attempt to make one another feel inferior.
The Earl understood these things. He understood that the Duchess of Compton was of a higher status than he. He understood that she surely must have used the same compliment at every dinner she ever attended. And he didn’t mind. It was what she had been trained to do. It was what made her an excellent wife to nobility.
Nevertheless, the Earl tried to push aside his dour mood. While he was cynical by nature during such events, he attempted to truly enjoy himself. It was not always easy, but he believed that it could be done.
This was not easily done, in truth. But he knew what was to come ahead. He knew that there were further plans for the evening that might cause others to actually enjoy their own time.
Perhaps the reason that Earl did not fit in well with society was his lack of a need to prove himself. He did not mind so much if others saw very little in him other than his title.
He did however, mind when he was spoken about in terms of ill repute for things that were untrue. While his station mattered little to him, his reputation mattered a great deal. And the rumors that abounded due to his hateful in-laws were still a sore in his side and a thing that he detested.
But soon dinner came to a conclusion. The whole host gathered in the entertainment room. A large area with many couches and comfort, each guest among the twenty found a seat.
Some chose to sit at the card table where they might play games. Others simply made themselves comfortable on the couches so that they might enjoy discussion. Still some of the older men crowded towards the drinks cart where they would have easy access.
The Earl, however, had a program for them. While he minded not if they did these things as the program progressed, he had no intention of leaving his guests without a great deal of entertainment.
A choir from a nearby parish had come to sing. Their songs ranged from worshipful to cultural. The voices blended together beautifully in a magnificent harmony and many of the guests were moved by it.
Following the performance, the Earl was delighted to introduce an idea that none had expected. It had been the suggestion of Miss Caulfield that the Earl might take this opportunity to show off his daughter.
Grace was invited into the room where she stood in her beautiful and puffy pink dress. In front of all the guests the Earl could see that she was tinged with nervousness. Perhaps she had more of him in her than he had realized.
From her mouth flowed the French words of a well-known poem. For an eight-year-old child this was quite a mastery. The Earl was delighted and proud of his daughter for what she had done.
The poem was lengthy, something which none of the guests had anticipated. It was more as though she were an ancient Bard reciting about some great journey your adventure. Such was the length of the poem that many of the guests simply stared at her in awe.
Indeed, Grace’s performance of a mere, simple poem outdid the choir significantly.
The Earl was moved by his daughter. But more than that, he could not help but notice what the others did not.
Of course, his daughter had to be accompanied by her governess. It had been Miss Caulfield that led Grace into the room before she retreated to the back, behind all the guests.
The Earl of Dulshire noted the way Miss Caulfield urged his daughter on with smiles and encouragement. He thought certainly that if a moment had come, which it did not, when Grace might forget a phrase, her governess would mouth the words to her.
Despite the fact that many a governess would use such an opportunity to flaunt themselves before noble society, Miss Caulfield remained behind the group. She was shielded from their eyes and seemed not to mind t one bit. Indeed, it seemed that she preferred it.
The Earl listened to his daughter and eyed the governess all at the same time. But something left him feeling unnerved and the Earl glanced across the room to find that Baron Woldorf was watching him in return.
The Earl felt as though he had been caught doing something he ought not to have been doing. It was not as though he had been in the wrong. Merely watching his governess was hardly a sin.
But he knew the thoughts that would pass through the Baron’s mind. He knew that despite their friendship, there would always be a strain about his late wife.
The Baron was close to the Eldridge family. He was a dear friend of theirs long before the Earl’s family had made its place with them. The Earl did not wish for the Baron to believe that he was betraying the memory of his wife. It was no such thing.
The Baron was a man torn between his friend, the Earl of Dulshire, and the family he cared for who blamed him for their daughter's death. Was it any question that the Baron would be unhappy at the thought of the Earl noticing his employee?
Taking a deep breath, the Earl focused on his daughter as she came to the conclusion of her poem.
The room erupted with applause. It was clear that Grace felt entirely proud of herself and Miss Caulfield was overjoyed by the performance that her charge had done.
The Earl made his way to the front and grasped his daughter’s hand.
“Well, I do believe that we have seen the star of our show this evening. However, she must go to bed. There is more entertainment to come, my friends. Thank you for allowing Miss Grace to perform for you,” the Earl said, beaming with pride.
He nodded to Miss Caulfield and she came to take Grace to bed. The Earl was thrilled at what his daughter had accomplished, but still found himself e
ntirely captivated by her governess even more so.
The look of pride on Miss Caulfield’s face, pride on behalf of his daughter’s hard work, moved him. She cared terribly deeply about how Grace might be presented and he found something intensely attractive about that.
Miss Caulfield had such a humility about her. As if she did not realize the depth of her beauty, she was quiet and content by remaining in the background. It was clear that she felt no need at all to prove herself.
The Earl continued to watch the two leave and, once they had, he turned his attention back to the crowd before him.