The Forbidden Passion of a Governess: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Lucy Langton

  “I thank you,” Lady Spencer replied suspiciously, noting that Hugh was not the one to ask.

  The earl was comfortably situated in the dining room when Lady Spencer was escorted in, and Deirdre and Emilia were in attendance as well. They were enjoying their breakfast when Lady Spencer was shown to her seat.

  “Good morning,” the earl said, bringing his tea cup to his lips. There was a devilish grin upon on face.

  “Good morning, Joshua,” Lady Spencer replied, taking a seat. “It was such a pleasant surprise to receive your invitation last night.”

  “I felt inspired,” the earl replied, dabbing the corners of his mouth with his crisp napkin.

  “I see we have company,” Lady Spencer added, looking at Emilia dubiously.

  “I thought it would be best to have an audience this morning.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, and there is one more who has been invited,” the earl said, motioning towards Winnifred. In a huff, Winnifred responded by opening the doors yet again and presenting Hugh, a bloody bandage upon his head and a brace around his midsection.

  “Heavens!” Lady Spencer cried, bringing her hands to her cheeks.

  “Be seated,” the earl said to Hugh, who bowed his head in compliance.

  Once everyone was seated, the earl pushed aside his plate and folded his hands upon the table. No food was served to Lady Spencer nor to Hugh. Not even a spot of tea.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Lady Spencer asked, looking to Hugh for an explanation.

  “There is a great deal of meaning, I’m afraid,” the earl went on. From the look on Lady Spencer’s face, Emilia could tell that the woman was beginning to understand what kind of situation she had stepped into.

  “Such as?” Lady Spencer asked, throwing back her head haughtily.

  “I am informing you that I know all about what has been going on,” the earl said.

  Lady Spencer darted a glance to Hugh, who merely looked down at the table.

  “Your machinations have been revealed, lady,” the earl continued. “I know all about the past. The truth about my parents. And what’s worse, I know about the proposed future.”

  “This is preposterous. You’re talking in riddles,” Lady Spencer replied indignantly.

  “I think you know my meaning without my having to explain.”

  “He knows all,” Hugh corroborated.

  “I suppose I have been released into a den of wolves then?” Lady Spencer replied, covering her fear with pomposity.

  “My dear,” the earl said, leaning into the table, “you have no idea what kind of wolves you’re referring to.”

  With that, the earl motioned towards Winnifred, who opened the doors yet again to reveal a team of five of Castle Comb’s best authorities.

  “What is this?” Lady Spencer asked.

  “You’ll be tried for the murder of the Earl of Cunningham and the Countess of Cunningham. There will be no delay,” the earl said, standing to his feet and waving the uniformed men inside the dining room.

  “Nonsense. You cannot!” Lady Spencer cried, refusing to get up from her seat.

  “Truly, I can,” the earl replied, watching as the men pulled Lady Spencer’s chair out for her, grabbed her by the arms, and removed her from the room.

  “Would you like your coat?” Winnifred asked cheekily as the woman was pulled past on her heels.

  “Joshua Forest, you will have hell to pay for this!” Lady Spencer cried, clawing at the men who held and dragged her.

  “I think you are the only one that has hell to be concerned with,” the earl replied, then calmly sat back down in his chair and sipped his tea.

  For Emilia’s part, she could not have been more happy. Justice had finally been served, and Lady Spencer was receiving her due. Finally, Glastonbrook could be restored to peace and tranquillity, and with any luck, she and the earl might share in each other’s happiness.

  “Good riddance,” Deirdre said with a huff.

  Hugh remained silent, no doubt in conflict over the fact that, even though she was evil, Lady Spencer was still the woman he loved. Sorrow and guilt were written on his face, and he dare not speak.

  “You, sir,” the earl said, noting Hugh’s silence. “There’s something else in store for you.”

  “I will accept any penalty that you may dish out,” Hugh replied.

  “You shan’t face the authorities,” the earl said casually, taking a bit of salmon from his cutlery. “However, your services will no longer be needed at Glastonbrook. And should your next place of employment ask for recommendation, they shan’t receive it.

  “The penalty is just,” Hugh replied.

  “My leniency is due to the fact that you have brought justice to my parents, even though you were complicit in their demise,” the earl said, his brow knit and eyes narrowed.

  “It is a punishing memory that I will never be free of.”

  “I do not wish the memory to destroy you, but if it does, then I will not complain to God,” the earl concluded. “Now, get out of my sight.”

  With that, Hugh got sheepishly up from his chair and limped to the door, staring at the ground all the while.

  “Goodbye,” Winnifred said to Hugh softly.

  She was met with silence from her long-time co-worker.

  Chapter 25

  In the days and weeks that followed, Glastonbrook was utterly transformed. It began with small things. Emilia sent a letter to Lady Hutchinson enquiring after who might be a good team of cooks for the estate. Luckily, there was an army of servants that had just been let go from Marsh Hill, a nearby home from which the family was moving in order to live in town. The staff was capital and came with the best recommendations.

  Before long, Winnifred found that she had a great deal of help in the kitchen, and the meals became more elaborate and delightful. The earl was pleased, though at first, he admitted that he thought the increase in kitchen staff a little too much. But he did agree that Winnifred looked happier than ever, and far less stressed than she had done previously.

  The next order of business was to secure a small team of gardeners to overlook the grounds. The exterior had been in such disarray for so many years that it took quite some time before the young men were able to bring the garden to order, as well as the surrounding hedges and the landscape of the roundabout. But with time, thanks to the plentiful rain that Glastonbrook enjoyed, the land was cultivated, and not only flowers grew in the garden, but also fresh vegetables and herbs that the family enjoyed at table. Even delightful berries were brought to the kitchen, where Winnifred and her staff transformed them into delicious pies, compotes, and jams.

  Of course, no house could be complete without a head footman. It was unclear as to where Hugh ran off to, but Emilia delighted in the knowledge that he was far away. There would be almost no chance of him securing another job, unless he travelled north towards Wales, or even Ireland.

  But finding a head footman was the hardest job of all. It would be the person that the earl would entrust with all the home’s most important duties. He’d oversee the kitchen staff, and the groundsmen. Not taking any chances, Emilia undertook a trip to London where she met with some of the best staff leaders in all of England. After several interviews, she settled upon a gentleman by the name of Miles Crow, the former head butler for the prestigious Duke of Wight and his family. Miles had been seeking new employment after the duke decided to take a post as ambassador in Spain.

  “I shall not disappoint,” Miles promised Emilia, putting out his hand in order to seal the deal.

  “I have no doubt of that,” Emilia replied, taking his hand in her own. There was a kind gentleness to his soft brown eyes, and Emilia was quite sure that Miles Crow would help to get Glastonbrook into tip-top shape in no time.

  With those posts filled, the remainder of the jobs were tertiary at best. A cleaning staff was appointed, as well as a groomsman for the horses. The grounds staff was responsible for cutting fresh flowe
rs and strategically placing them throughout Glastonbrook. With time, and all these posts filled, Emilia noted that the estate was looking as stately as any other manse in Britain.

  “Emilia,” the earl said with delight, entering the main hall and making a complete turn, admiring all that surrounded him. Servants bustled about to and fro, making sure everything was up to snuff upon the earl’s return. Lord Forest recalled that the estate had not looked so beautiful since his parents were alive.

  “This is how Glastonbrook should be,” Emilia replied with a delighted smile.

  And not only was the house transformed, but so were its denizens. Deirdre looked happier and more radiant than ever, Emilia felt more rested and energised, and the earl was far more productive than he had been in years. Everyone was prospering, and it seemed as though new hope was on the horizon.

  Even the weather seemed to shift as Glastonbrook came back to life. The sun shone more brightly, the rain fell more gently, and gone were the puddles of mud that riddled the roundabout. A secure stone road was laid to replace the dirt path that had been there before, and a whole new fleet of skilled horses was purchased to make travel and leisure far more pleasant than it had been before.

  “I never thought it possible,” the earl said to Emilia, his eyes glittering with happiness.

  “It was possible all the while, M’Lord,” Emilia replied warmly. “You just needed to see it with your own eyes.”

  They continued to gaze at each other and smile. The tension between them remained. Their love for one another was pure and strong, yet the impossibility of their union was still present. Emilia had done so much to transform his home, his life, and his family. Still within him lingered the conflict of how to proceed and he was always telling her that he wished to have Emilia as his partner in life, and no other, and that he could not ignore this longing cry in his breast.

  Emilia was simply happy. Perhaps she and the earl could never come together as one, but she was content to live under the same roof and oversee the affairs at Glastonbrook to the best of her ability whilst still ensuring a proper education for Deirdre. But it would not be long before her services regarding Deirdre were no longer needed. When that happened, Emilia had to wonder what the future might hold. Would she be released of her duties, or would the earl keep her on? She dearly hoped it would be the latter.

  Staff meals were more pleasant than ever. Although Winnifred found that she had a fabulous team to help her, she also discovered that now she truly was cooking for any army. It did not disturb her in the slightest, for it made Winnifred happy to have many mouths to feed. Yet still the demand was great.

  Emilia tried as often as she could to dine with the staff in the kitchen, for she enjoyed the boisterous energy and warmth of those occasions. But the earl was asking her to dine more and more with the family, and that was an offer she could not refuse. Whereas the meals for the staff were hearty and full of goodness, the earl’s and Deirdre’s meals were refined and exotic. Everyone was well fed, and it left Winnifred with an unspeakable joy.

  With time Emilia noted that the only thing missing at Glastonbrook was guests. It was not good for Deirdre to be left on her own so much. As Emilia had often expressed to the earl, she needed the company of girls her own age, and she also needed mentors who had already been introduced into proper society. How was the girl to find a husband if she was constantly locked within Glastonbrook’s walls? Once the house was returned to its former vitality, Emilia made a point to amend the situation.

  They were sitting down to breakfast, Emilia buttering her scone, when she looked to where the earl sat at the head of the table and she mustered her courage.

  “I think you should invite the Hutchinson girls to pay a call,” she said casually, and watched as Deirdre’s eyes lit up with excitement.

  “Oh?” the earl replied, taking a sip of his tea.

  “Indeed. You saw how much the three of them enjoy one another’s company. I think they should be invited over for tea. Perhaps tomorrow?”

  Emilia knew that the request seemed sudden but seeing as they had a full staff at Glastonbrook, the event could easily be prepared in a day’s time.

  “Can we invite them, brother?” Deirdre asked in anticipation.

  “I don’t see the harm in it. So long as no gentlemen are invited, as well,” the earl said, lifting his brow suggestively.

  “It will only be ladies,” Emilia assured him. “We can send the invitation out right after breakfast. Miles will deliver it himself,” she added, looking over to where the head footman stood at attention.

  “It would be my honour,” Miles replied.

  The earl appeared doubtful, but it was not long before he came to a decision. It was difficult for him to disagree with his sister and the woman that he loved.

  “Very well,” the earl replied. “Compose an invitation and we’ll have it sent out after we dine.”

  “Oh, brother!” Deirdre exclaimed, happiness emanating from her.

  “You’ll be most glad that you did,” Emilia said, taking a bite of her scone. It was as delicious as ever, the butter and the scone both warm and melting in her mouth.

  The rest of the morning was joyful, as Deirdre was rapt in anticipation for the coming event. Throughout her lessons all she could speak of was what she was to wear the following afternoon, and how she should set her hair. Emilia assured her that the Hutchinson girls were quite non-judgemental, so Deirdre didn’t need to take such pains to make everything perfect. Yet still Deirdre insisted, and she also wished to oversee the foods that would be presented at tea.

  “I want a theme,” Deirdre had said, closing her book in her lap, disregarding her lessons altogether.

  “A theme?” Emilia asked.

  “Indeed. No good tea party is complete without a theme.”

  “And what shall the theme be?” Emilia asked, amused by Deirdre’s enthusiasm.

  “It shall be called ‘After the Storm’,” Deirdre replied, throwing her hands in the air as though envisioning the whole setup.

  “What is the inspiration for that?” Emilia asked.

  “Well, it seems as though Glastonbrook has endured some pretty bad weather,” Deirdre said introspectively. “And now, the sun is shining again. I wish the food and decorations to reflect that.”

  So the ladies spent the better part of the afternoon in preparations. Emilia decided to forgo lessons altogether and bring her full attention to the task at hand. Luckily, Glastonbrook was now supplied with colourful paper, ribbons and other ornaments that would serve. The main parlour was to be transformed into a place more radiant than ever.

  The girls were hard at work, cutting, pasting, embellishing and re-arranging. Every once in a while, between various business matters, the earl would pass and watch them hard at work.

  “Is this the parlour or the interior of a kaleidoscope?” he asked. The room was becoming a whirlwind of prismatic colours and various textures.

  “Rainbows!” Deirdre proclaimed, throwing her arms jubilantly into the air yet again.

  “And flowers,” Emilia said, regarding the groundsmen who had entered with fresh cut roses in their arms.

  “I think the list is complete,” Winnifred said, entering the room. “Once the earl has approved it, I’ll make my way to the market. Though most of these things can be found in the garden.”

  “Is it a party for three, or a party for three hundred?” the earl asked with a huff.

  “Come, come now,” Emilia said, shaking her head. “The staff can enjoy the food and decorations once the party is done.”

  The earl did not reply but merely sighed to himself and stormed off. He was still prone to moods, as was his nature, but Emilia discovered that he held on to his dark, stormy temperament far less than he had before. If something upset him, he grumbled and then let it go.

  The hours into the evening passed quickly and the morning was fast upon them. Breakfast was undertaken with haste and Deirdre chose to eat very little, for fear
that she might spoil her appetite for the tea. She wore moss green, a colour that she said she associated with new beginnings and springtime. She also wore little white flowers in her perfectly coiffed hair.

  Emilia, for her own part, wished to adhere to Deirdre’s wishes for a themed event. She wore a gown that was not historically accepted by the earl, but on that occasion, she decided that she could doff decorum and her overly modest gowns. She wore a sky-blue satin dress that sunk low at the collar, revealing her long, beautiful neck. It was the colour Emilia associated with new beginnings, and so she would wear it with a spirit of fresh hope, which was the order of the day.

  Passing down the hall and to the parlour to oversee the last-minute arrangements, Emilia caught the earl’s eye and he stopped in his tracks. Although she knew it pained him to see her so gorgeous, not wanting any other eye to admire her as his did, he still couldn’t help but smile.