Risky Rules of a Passionate Governess

by Henrietta Harding

  As the servants of the townhome made preparations for Lord Garret’s departure, he considered whether or not he should send word to Bonhomie that he was staying for an extended period. Or did he wish to keep it a surprise? He imagined the delighted smile upon Katherine’s face when she heard the news. Would they be able to find secret moments to share with one another? Would his brother catch on so soon that he was entirely in love? Only time would tell.

  The servants in London, however, did catch onto the fact that Lord Garret was in love. He saw that quizzical expression upon their faces when he walked down the hallway, cheery and optimistic. It was so far in the past when he had been rather cross with the servants, either barking orders or being cold and distant. But all of that seemed like history to Lord Garret now. His focus upon his goals had proved most fruitful and the future seemed bright.

  “Be sure to pack the presents for the children,” Lord Garret informed one servant.

  “Yes, M’Lord,” they replied.

  Lord Garret had taken it upon himself to stroll through London looking for gifts. For Constance, he found a charming pearl bracelet that he knew she would covet. For Harry, there was a small rifle that he would enjoy shooting in the field. As for Katherine, Lord Garret could think of a million different things that he wished to buy for her, but for the sake of not being too conspicuous, he purchased the finest box of chocolate that could be found in all of London.

  With all of these things packed and the carriage ready to go, Lord Garret came down the stairs and stepped into the dreary street. A gentle rain was falling and none of this dimmed his spirits in the slightest. He was returning to Bonhomie where there would be endless rolling green hillsides and a rainbow overhead.

  At least, that’s how it saw it in his soul. There were certain key documents that he would need to read during the journey, but Lord Garret also kept Katherine’s letters nearby should he need to re-read one or another, as he had been prone to do.

  The documents pertained to the business deal in Switzerland, which was progressing nicely. Although he never had the chance to learn Italian, nor spend as much time alone with Katherine as he had wanted, Lord Garret still found that whatever time they did share was worth it. And he hoped to continue Italian lessons in the future. In fact, there were many things that he wished to continue with Katherine in the future.

  ***

  As Katherine sat at her desk, quill pen in hand, she thought of what to say to Lord Garret next. She felt impossibly dreamy that morning and looked out of her little window at the glowing sunshine outside. It was going to be a good day; she could feel it in the marrow of her bones. The last letter that had arrived from Lord Garret was akin to poetry. How was it possible to feel so much exquisite joy?

  In the weeks that followed the debacle with the locket it had still not been found, but it seemed as though the duke was wise and dropped the issue. At least, he didn’t make mention of it.

  Nigel had informed Katherine that the matter was still under investigation, but she had the sense that the duke was at peace with whatever the outcome might be. Not only that, but Constance’s good nature had been restored and they were back to being fast friends. Renee was beginning to cook the treasures from Hans’ garden and peace was restored to Bonhomie.

  The only matter of real curiosity was the manner in which Katherine was being treated by Sofia. It seemed as though her maid was cross with her. Katherine was unsure what she had done to deserve this, but she reasoned that perhaps it was something personal that Sofia was going through and that it didn’t pertain to her at all.

  Returning to the blank page in front of her, Katherine considered professing her undying love to Lord Garret, expressing how much she missed the warmth of his breath and touch, but all of that seemed too impossibly forward. What if someone else was to get hold of the letter and the whole thing became entirely exposed? Katherine didn’t wish for that in the least. There was then a gentle knock on the door as Katherine considered all these things.

  “Tea,” Sofia said, coming through the door with her tray.

  “Oh, perfect,” Katherine said, noting the sour expression on Sofia’s face. She watched as the maid put the tray down. There were no longer little treats to accompany it; just a single cup of black tea. “I thank you,” Katherine said warmly, and Sofia merely nodded her head before turning to leave. Such incredibly odd behavior. How could Katherine explain it all? In her haze of love for Lord Garret, she reasoned that none of it mattered.

  “Oh, a bit of news,” Sofia said coldly.

  “Yes?”

  “Lord Garret is returning this afternoon.”

  The pen fell out of Katherine’s hand and her eyes went wide with wonder.

  “Say that again.”

  “I said,” Sofia went on, rolling her eyes. “Lord Garret is returning this afternoon.”

  “Why didn’t the duke inform me?”

  “I’m unsure. Maybe you should ask the duke,” Sofia replied before turning on her heels and leaving.

  “Oh, heavens!” Katherine exclaimed, jumping out of her seat and walking about the room, trying to select the right dress and accessories for the day. He was arriving that very afternoon? Oh, there was not enough time to prepare. Katherine needed to wash her hair and scrub her face. She noticed that her heart was beating fast in her chest and Katherine felt that she might break into song.

  That was when she stopped herself and sat down upon the bed, hugging herself with her arms. There was no need to go so fast and also no need to perfect her hair and face and whatever other nonsense. No, Katherine would relax and be herself. She was in love, and that meant that there was no use flitting about like a woman who had lost her mind.

  Choosing a simple white dress and setting her curls naturally, Katherine finally came down the stairs towards the breakfast room, but she still couldn’t deny the excitement that was coursing through her. Her dream was coming true; Lord Garret was returning to Bonhomie, but how long would he stay?

  Entering the breakfast room, Katherine felt as though she were floating on air.

  “You look well,” the duke said.

  “I slept rather well, yes,” Katherine replied gleefully, placing her napkin upon her lap.

  “There’s a bit of news to share,” the duke said.

  Oh, but I already know.

  “What’s that?”

  “My brother returns this afternoon.”

  Although one might think this news repetitive, it was further confirmation and like music to Katherine’s ears once more. Her heart began to race in her chest yet again.

  “That’s wonderful news,” Katherine replied, trying to hide her gleeful smile.

  “Yes, he has been missed by all. From our correspondence, he seems like a changed man.”

  In Katherine’s heart, she hoped that he was not too much of a changed man for she was in love with the original.

  “This is the greatest news in history,” Harry said rather officially.

  “Yes, yes it is,” the duke replied playfully.

  Breakfast was served and Katherine continuously looked out of the window at the blue sky. Would she and Lord Garret be able to walk under that blue sky together, and someday, do it hand in hand?

  “May I ask a question, Your Grace?” Katherine said.

  “Of course,” he replied.

  “Have you noticed any odd behavior with Sofia?”

  Lord Roland considered the question before replying. “There was a bit of odd behavior that I noted.”

  “What was that?”

  “The other day, Nigel informed me that Sofia was outside my study and that she wished to speak to me. I told him to let her in. I waited for some time and Sofia never came in. Nigel then said that once he went to retrieve her, he couldn’t find her anywhere.”

  “That’s odd.”

  “Yes, and when he finally did find her later that day, apparently Sofia told Nigel that the matter was resolved. I have not heard a thing since.”

/>   “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Katherine said, thinking that if Sofia had a personal matter she was having difficulty contending with, then perhaps she wished for her privacy.

  The subject of Sofia aside, there was one more burning question on her mind.

  “M’Lord, do you know how long Lord Garret shall stay?” Katherine asked. She saw as the children’s faces turned towards their father in anticipation.

  ***

  Lord Garret hopped down from the carriage and took a deep breath. He could tell from the grounds surrounding the home that Hans was performing his job with expert care, and it pleased Lord Garret to no end. The carriage ride had been pleasant, productive, and relaxing. All the while that the carriage swayed back and forth, he thought of nothing but Katherine.

  Lord Garret was early, which explained why the servants weren’t standing out front, but just as soon as they noted that his carriage had arrived they began to come out of the house.

  “Good day,” he said to them, and they looked back at him quizzically, just as the servants in town had done. This was the new Lord Garret, and they were going to have to get used to it.

  Entering the home, Lord Garret quickly encountered Nigel.

  “Your brother is in his study,” Nigel said with a bow of the head.

  “Very well,” Lord Garret replied, walking towards the study and hearing that there was a conversation going on inside. It was Katherine’s voice that he heard, and it sounded like a song. Opening the door to the study, Lord Garret watched as his brother perked up and Katherine turned her head. He felt a tremendous rush of warmth in his chest upon seeing her.

  “Brother,” the duke said, standing from his chair.

  “The journey was swift,” Lord Garret said.

  “M’Lord,” Katherine said, getting up from her seat as well. He could tell that she was trying to conceal a smile on her face. Lord Garret’s heart began to race.

  “No need to stand,” he informed her.

  “The children are marvelously excited,” the duke added, coming around the desk in order to shake his brother’s hand. Already, Lord Garret could sense a deep respect in his brother’s eyes. Had his decision to create distance and independence changed the duke’s estimation of him? Certainly for Lord Garret, it had changed his estimation of himself.

  “I look forward to seeing them,” Lord Garret said. He glanced to the side where Katherine was sitting, and she was looking up at him in anticipation.

  “It’s a marvelous day for tea on the veranda,” the duke added, returning to his chair.

  “I should very much like that,” Lord Garret replied, still looking down at Katherine. He could positively disappear in those eyes, it seemed.

  “Why don’t you tend to your things? The servants should be bringing in your bag.”

  “My trunk,” Lord Garret amended.

  “Your trunk?”

  “Yes, I wish to stay at Bonhomie for some time.” A smile came to Lord Garret’s lips and he didn’t bother to look down at Katherine once more. He could sense her pleasure.

  “That’s wonderful news,” the duke said.

  “Yes. It has been too long.”

  “As I said, tend to your affairs and we’ll meet as a family on the veranda.”

  “Most good,” Lord Garret replied with a nod of the head. Although he wished to speak to her, to reach down and touch her, all of that was going to have to wait. There was plenty of time ahead of them for such things.

  Exiting the study, Lord Garret walked down the hall and felt his chest swell with pride and love. He was back home, and everything was falling into place as it should.

  “M’Lord,” Lord Garret heard a voice say, and he turned to find Sofia standing there, looking far different than he remembered her. There was a halo of nerves and anxiousness around her.

  “Yes?”

  “May I have a word with you?” Sofia asked.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Do you mind if we go into the sitting room? There’s no one there and we might have privacy.”

  Lord Garret knit his brow, thinking it rather curious. “Of course.”

  As he walked towards the sitting room, Lord Garret could feel Sofia following close behind him. So strange for a servant to approach him so, and what’s more, he always knew Sofia to be frightened of him. It must be a matter of grave importance. Entering the sitting room, Sofia walked in and he closed the door behind them.

  “What does this pertain to?” He asked.

  “I’m afraid there’s a rather important matter that needs to come to your attention,” Sofia said, wringing her hands.

  “Take a seat,” Lord Garret advised her.

  “Well, it goes like this, M’Lord,” Sofia began. “Some weeks back, there was a rather rare and rich locket that disappeared from Constance’s chest of jewels. She keeps it up in the attic, you see. I only know of all this because . . . Katherine came to me to inquire about it and then the duke did the same.”

  Momentary anger flooded through Lord Garret, but he told himself to remain steady; there was no reason to destroy his reverie. “I have not heard of this,” Lord Garret replied.

  “No? Well then, I can see why I had the keen instinct to tell you,” Sofia said, and then continued. “Now then, this locket is supposedly a family heirloom.”

  “It was my grandmother’s and then went to the duke’s wife.”

  “Precisely, so,” Sofia went on, “the locket has been forgotten since. I have not heard the duke mention it. But oh, M’Lord, I know where it is!”

  “What’s that?” Lord Garret asked.

  “I say, I know where it is! It is in one of the rooms of a staff member here at Bonhomie.”

  “Give me the name,” Lord Garret demanded, thinking that the whole thing could be resolved at once. The perpetrator would be banished that very day.

  “I fear to say it, for I love her dearly. But it’s our very own Katherine!”

  Chapter 20

  Lord Garret’s head was spinning. None of it could possibly be true. Sofia must be confused or mistaken.

  “Take me to her room,” Lord Garret said, wishing to get to the bottom of things at once.

  “Come this way,” Sofia replied, leading the way.

  As they walked up the stairs, Lord Garret couldn’t help but think that, if it were indeed true, his life and plans were about to spin perilously out of control. Yet still, Katherine didn’t seem like the kind of woman who was capable of such a thing. Lord Garret would hold onto that belief for the next few moments.

  As they entered Katherine’s room, memories of the night that they had shared together came flooding back and Lord Garret felt his heart quickening in his chest. In the darkness that night Lord Garret could barely see what the room looked like, but now in the light of day, everything was made plain. Things were quite orderly and the room smelt of the roses that were in a vase on the desk. And to behold Katherine’s desk, the place where she had been writing her letters to him, also filled him with wonder. Was that the same place where she read the letters that he had composed to her?