“Of course.”
Isabel curtsied at her father and then she left. Gerard tugged Beth towards the table and urged her to sit. Beth did as she was told and watched as Gerard got some water in a bowl, placing it on the table and putting the herbs into the water. Then he sat beside her and squeezed some of the water out of the herbs.
“I’m sure it was a mistake on Hermia’s part,” Beth said, starting when Gerard snorted rudely and shook his head.
“No, it wasn’t. Hermia knows her herbs as well as the cook. She knew exactly what she was doing.”
Beth knew he was right. She didn’t want him to be. Even with Hermia’s attitude towards her and her blatant animosity, Beth wanted to believe that Hermia didn’t really mean her any harm now. Only that one time in London had Hermia laid her hands on Beth. She couldn’t have wanted to actively hurt her.
Then again, Beth had just witnessed Hermia attempt to give her poison ivy for a candle burn. She would have put Beth in a huge amount of discomfort and gloated about it.
“I can’t believe I nearly put poison ivy on my burn,” she murmured.
“Good thing you didn’t.” Gerard gathered some soggy herbs and gently pressed them against the burns on her palm. “She’s really trying my patience.”
“But what can you do? Everything you’ve done hasn’t worked.”
“It will now.” Gerard’s response was grim. “I’m going to actually follow through on my threats.”
Beth watched him as he carefully soothed her wounds. The burns weren’t feeling as painful as before, and Beth wasn’t wincing as he tended to her. These herbs really were working. But she was more concerned about Gerard. He was clearly upset about what Hermia tried to do. Upset and angry.
“Gerard?” Gerard paused for a moment, and Beth leaned forward. “Don’t be harsh on her. She’s just a child, and she’s lashing out.”
“She’s been lashing out since her mother died,” Gerard snapped. “It’s about time she stopped.”
“Would you rather she lashed out at you?” Beth countered. “I can take it. I would rather she took out her anger on me than you, your mother, or your sisters.”
Gerard looked up at her. He looked pained. He swallowed and shook his head.
“You’re too sweet for your own good. But let me handle this. All right?”
Beth couldn’t answer that. She had a feeling that Hermia was going to turn her anger back onto her father, and he would respond in a bad way. Beth felt she was wearing Hermia down, and the two of them seemed to be coming to an uneasy truce. Hermia’s attacks on her were far and few between now. She just needed to push at that a little more.
That would all turn on its head if Gerard stepped in. But Beth couldn’t argue with a duke. His word was the last word. She couldn’t argue with it.
Much as she wanted to.
Chapter 19
The next few days seemed to have a flurry of activity with several of the maids running around with various sheets and blankets. Beth had no idea what was going on, and none of them would tell her what was happening. A guest was coming, that much was clear, and Beth knew Lady Amelia would be returning eventually. But there was a spark of something in the air, and even Gerard seemed to be getting excited.
It wasn’t until a morning three days after Beth’s almost close contact with poison ivy that she found out. Gerard had approached her at breakfast and told her that he had arranged for Flora to come and visit. She would be arriving shortly before lunch if her journey went as expected. Beth couldn’t believe it. He had agreed to let his sister come to the Lake District as a surprise for her?
It had taken all of her self-control not to jump into his arms and kiss him. That would certainly give the servants an eyeful. Instead, Beth gave him a beaming smile and thanked him profusely. Gerard had simply stared at her as if he was expecting some other sort of thanks. Then he grunted and walked away.
Beth tried to concentrate on teaching the girls, but she was too excited. She corresponded with Flora with several letters, but they took a long time to reach each other. It wasn’t the same as talking to each other. And Beth missed talking to her sister on her days off.
Even with Flora’s misgivings about her being around Gerard and his family, she was keen to hear what was going on. Beth could complain about Hermia’s actions, and Flora could give her ideas on how to counter it. A lot of her ideas worked. Maybe Flora should have been the governess instead of Beth.
It wasn’t until after lunch that the carriage arrived, coming up the sweeping driveway. Beth left the dining table, the children giving her strange looks while Gerard simply sat at the head of the table with a silent smile, and she ran out onto the front steps. She practically squealed in delight when she saw Flora climbing out of the carriage. The trunk was being untied from the back by two of the footmen.
Flora turned towards the house, her eyes landing on Beth. Then she jumped up and down with a squeal and waved.
“Beth!”
Beth hurried down the steps, and the two sisters hugged so tightly that Beth felt as though the air was being squeezed out of her lungs. She drew back and inspected her younger sister. Flora looked a little thinner, but her eyes were sparkling, and she looked happy.
“I can’t believe you’re finally here.” Beth adjusted Flora’s bonnet, which had been knocked askew by their embrace. “It’s so good to see you, Flora.”
“And you.” Flora stepped back and looked her over. “You look really well. Country air does seem to suit you.”
“It does.”
Beth had thought she would struggle out in the country, but apart from a slight bout of homesickness, she loved it in the Lake District. The scenery was beautiful, and the people were a delight, from the household staff right up to the aristocracy. Beth wasn’t about to leave it as just Gerard being the reason she loved being out in the country. She had to be careful.
“Come on!” Flora grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the house. “Show me around!”
“I’ve got to keep an eye on the children.”
“I’m sure the duke will understand why you can’t today. Come on, Beth!”
Beth could only laugh as her sister pulled her inside. After divesting her cloak and bonnet, Flora linked her arm through Beth’s, and they started walking around the house. They went into each of the rooms, Beth watching as Flora marvelled at the vast space and the beauty of the furniture. It was the most decadent place either of them had ever been in. Isabel and Rosamund came running over, eager to meet the visitor. Hermia was nowhere to be seen, and Beth was glad about that. She didn’t want to see her charge and her sister go at it in a verbal joust. Both were fiery, and Flora wasn’t going to stand for a young girl throwing her weight around.
Gerard didn’t make an appearance, either, and Beth was relieved. Flora knew her well, and she would be able to figure out what was going on between Beth and the duke. Her sister had asked her several times if Beth was keeping to her promise about being respectable and keeping away from Gerard unless she couldn’t avoid it. Beth had stopped answering her. Mostly because she knew Flora would know when she was lying.
Her sister would be furious.
After going around the house, they headed out into the gardens, walking out towards the lake at the far side right on the edge of the fields. It was a place Beth had discovered going with Isabel and Rosamund and found it a beautiful place to sit and watch the world go by. Beth knew that Gerard was waiting for his mother to arrive, and she didn’t think it would be proper showing Flora around while the Dowager Duchess was trying to relax after a long journey. She was still a healthy woman; she wasn’t full of spirit like Flora, a much younger lady. It would probably be a bit too much.
They reached the lake at a fast pace, and Beth was worn out. She headed over to a makeshift bench one of the gardeners had created out of a fallen tree.
“Can we sit down for just a moment, Flora?” she gasped. “I need to rest.”
“You need
a rest?” Flora laughed. “Come on, Beth! You chase three children around all day.”
“I chase two of them,” Beth corrected, settling down beside her sister and spreading her hands over her skirts to smooth them down. Her feet really were hurting. “One’s almost a woman now, and she refuses to run around.”
“There is that, I suppose.” Flora shifted across the bench until her face was shaded from the sun by overhanging leaves. “Is Miss Hermia still being difficult?”
“You could say that. I can get some sort of control on it on occasion, but Hermia is stubborn and fights back.” Beth shook her head. “It can get tiring, but I’m not going to give in to her.”
“You think she wants you to quit if she’s difficult?”
“Why else would she be this difficult? She wants me out of here, and she won’t back down.”
It didn’t matter how much she was punished, either by Beth, her father, or her grandmother, Hermia just started again as soon as her punishment was over. She was determined to hurt or ruin Beth, either one didn’t matter. As long as she could get Beth to cave in and quit.
“Any idea why she doesn’t want you around?” Flora asked. “Have you finally got an answer to that?”
“Not directly from Hermia, no. But I can guess.” Beth sighed. “I think it’s something to do with being unable to properly grieve for her mother. She was barely cold before the duke gave his children a governess to fill the void. And it didn’t work. Hermia resents it.”
“Like she resents you,” Flora murmured. “You think that’s what it is?”
“I’m sure of it. And after some thinking, Lord Rossdale agreed with me.”
Beth had to be very careful with the way she spoke about the duke. In her mind, he was Gerard, a man. Not her employer, not a duke, just a man. But she couldn’t go around talking about him so informally, even to her sister. Anyone could be listening.
A slight smile tugged at Flora’s mouth.
“I never thought I’d hear of you getting a duke to agree with anything you say.”
“It’s a novel experience; I can safely say that.”
“Hmm.”
Flora tilted her head to the side as she surveyed her sister. Beth resisted the urge to squirm; she felt like she was being scrutinized. Did Flora suspect something?
“And how are things going with you and the duke?” Flora asked. “I know you were concerned about being around him after everything that happened back in London.”
Beth had been concerned. But not as much as she was now. She chose her words carefully.
“It’s going well. We seem to be coping being in each other’s presence.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Why?”
“You seem a little ... I don’t know ... off whenever there is a slight mention of him. Like you start smiling and then you realize what you’re doing and stop.”
“Oh.” Beth hadn’t realized she had been doing that. She cleared her throat. “It’s a little ... complicated. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
For the moment. Beth had a feeling it would spiral more out of control the longer they were together. Lusting after her employer was bad enough, but being in love ... she was in dangerous waters, and Beth didn’t think she could keep her head above the surface. Hopefully, Flora’s presence would help her feel less out of control. Knowing her sister was close by would prevent Beth from giving in to temptation.
Even if she craved to have Gerard’s hands on her again. He worshipped her body, knew just how to give her pleasure. Keeping away from him after what happened by the lake had been incredibly difficult; keeping herself from sneaking into his bedchamber at night had been harder. It was only Beth knowing that if this went wrong and they were discovered, she would be involved in a bigger scandal than her sister’s. She couldn’t do that to her family.
Much as she wanted to be scandalous for the first time in her life.
“You’ve kissed him again, haven’t you?”
Beth blinked. Flora was staring at her with wide eyes. Beth swallowed and rose to her feet, turning away as she walked towards the water’s edge close by.
“I don’t want to discuss it, Flora.”
“You did!” Flora exclaimed. “And I thought we said you could keep your distance; that you were strong enough to resist.”
“I can. And I am. It was just one kiss.”
Beth could only hope that Flora didn’t come over right now; she was sure she was blushing, revealing that it hadn’t been just a kiss.
“Yes,” Flora said slowly. “A kiss that has affected you more than you care to admit.”
Beth had nothing to say to that. She couldn’t really say anything without Flora realizing that she really had done more than kiss the duke. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She needed to get her composure back under control, or she was going to look like a simpering fool.
“You know, it’s surreal.”
Beth turned.
“What is?”
“Being in a duke’s home up here in the country.” Flora had sat forward and was looking at their surroundings, a vague look of wonder on her face. “It’s a stunning place, Beth.”
“I agree.”
“When a duke writes to you, asking for our presence to visit your family for a few weeks, you can’t really say no.” Flora shook her head. “It’s an opportunity you would be mad to pass over.”
Beth smiled.
“I understand the feeling. And you’ll fall in love with the Lake District. It’s beautiful up here.”
“I noticed on the way up.” Flora smiled. “You could lose days in places like this and never get bored.”
Beth couldn’t agree more with that comment. She walked to her sister and took her hand, tugging Flora to her feet.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you to my charges. And then we’ll take them for a walk so we can show you their favourite places.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I only do morning lessons out here. The afternoon is our own.” Beth led Flora back along the path. “And we’ve got a few hours before we get ready for this evening.”
“What’s this evening?”
“Dinner. And a celebration, from what Lord Rossdale said earlier.”
“What sort of celebration?”
“I haven’t been told yet.” Beth shrugged. “But Lord Rossdale is eager that I be present tonight, and that it’s something for everyone to celebrate. He wants you to be there as well.”
“Me?” Flora squeaked. “But ... I did bring evening dresses, but I don’t think I’ve got a good enough dress for a celebration.”
“I’m sure you have.” Beth grinned and slipped her arm through her sister’s. “Let’s see what we can find.”
#
“This is a little too much for me, Gerard,” Alexander said as he inspected his new evening clothes in the full-length mirror. “I wasn’t exactly a main player at Vittoria, and you’re treating me like the Duke of Wellington.”
Sitting on his brother’s bed, Gerard laughed.
“I wouldn’t think so. The Duke of Wellington is better-looking than you, for a start.”
“Charming.” Alexander adjusted his waistcoat before fumbling with his cufflinks. “It feels strange wearing this after so long. I was in my battle uniform for months on end.”
What A Wicked Duke Demands (Historical Regency Romance) Page 26