by Tia Siren
Richard stepped to the side as Elizabeth went around him, extending one hand for the Lord to take. Daniel Wellington was well-known among the ladies and well-liked, as well. He was the same height as Richard, ten years his junior and had the brightest blue eyes anyone had ever seen. They looked out from behind long dark lashes that his sister, along with every other lady at the ball, couldn’t seem to get enough of. The Lord took Elizabeth’s hand and kissed it.
Richard held out his hand, bowing slightly. “Lord Wellington,” He said.
Daniel shook his hand, also bowing. “Duke Wentworth. How have you been, sir.”
“I am well, and you?”
“Also doing quite well, thank you. My lady, shall we move out onto the dance floor and join the others? Do pardon me, Richard, the music has just started.”
Richard shook his head and gestured for them to go. “Not at all, please don’t miss the song on my account.”
Elizabeth called back over her shoulder as Daniel led her to the floor. “I will be home later, Richie. You try to do something fun!”
Richard nodded and lifted one hand to acknowledge he had heard her. Then he swiftly turned and made his way out of the building, avoiding eye contact with any of the people he saw on his way. The night was crisp and cool but he liked it that way. He went directly to his horse and mounted with ease. It wasn’t a bad night, and he didn’t mind going to the balls. He just wasn’t hoping for any new faces to suddenly pop up on the scene and the ones that were already there were not suitable to him. He was extremely picky about women; it was simply the fact that he had his three charges to think about. He didn’t want them to have a wicked stepmother just because she was of the same class and had a pretty face. The pretty face was nice, but the inside had to be just as pretty. Otherwise, he was wasting his time.
Chapter Two
Rose Bennett stood in the front of the room, one hand in mid-air, holding a piece of chalk. She was staring behind her at one of the three children she was teaching, waiting for him to calculate the equation in his mind. Samuel was looking up at the ceiling, obviously thinking with all his might. She pressed her lips together to keep from giggling.
She had been governess for the children for almost ten years now, beginning with the family when Frederick was only two years old. Duke Wentworth – Richard – and his wife, Kate, were influential members of society in those days, visiting, putting on parties and have frequent guests that were notable, including the Prime Minister. But those were days long past and since the death of Lady Kate four years previous, things had not been the same. Gone were the ready smiles and the sound of laughter echoing down the halls of the manor. Richard had been heartbroken and angry for several years.
It suddenly seemed that he had come out of mourning. Rose was fairly certain Elizabeth had something to do with it.
“Four!” Samuel announced proudly. She was pulled back to reality from her thoughts.
“Yes, Samuel, that’s right! Good for you!” She smiled at him and wrote a big four under the equation. “You can go ahead and finish your picture while your brother and sister finish their work.”
The little boy beamed at her, and she felt a wash of affection for him sweep over her. He was such a sweet boy. All three of Duke Richard’s children were not only intelligent and friendly, they were some of the best looking children she’d ever seen. There were no other children their age in the city that were perfect in their features, with heads of beautiful blonde hair and eyes of violet and blue.
She watched the three of them working diligently on their school work. It was very important to their father that they were educated so that they could carry on business with the best of them. He didn’t want any paupers for children, but he didn’t plan to give them handouts, either.
Rose admired the way Richard was with his children. He always showed them a lot of love and concern, doting over their accomplishments, consoling them in their failures. She was impressed with him but did her best not to let it show. It was not her place as governess to let her admiration show.
The door was thrown open, and Elizabeth came sweeping in, three small velvet bags clutched in her small hands.
“Helloooo.” She sing-songed and struck a pose like a princess.
“Auntie Liz!” All three children called out delightedly and jumped up from their work. Rose smiled wide, watching them abandon their school work for their aunt. They ran to her and threw their arms around her at the waist, almost knocking her down in their excitement. She just laughed and hugged them all one at a time.
“Hello, children!” She looked up at Rose with pretty, wide eyes. “I’m sorry to interrupt, dear Rose. I know you are keeping them hard at work on their education.”
Rose shook her head with a smile for her friend. “Not at all, Liz. They were almost done with what they were doing. How are you today?”
“I’m doing very well, thank you for asking.” Elizabeth turned her attention the children. “Samuel, this little bag has a treat in it just for you! And here’s one for you, Charlotte, Frederick.” She handed the small velvet bags to them. They were color coordinated for each child. Charlotte’s favorite color was purple, so her little bag was purple. Frederick’s bag was green and Samuel’s blue. They each squealed in delight and thanked their aunt profusely. She leaned down so they could kiss her cheek one by one. Then they ran back to their chairs and sat down to look in the small bags.
Rose stood up as Elizabeth approached the small table. She pulled a chair over to sit facing Rose and sat down in it, balling her hands up in her lap. “So, Rose, tell me what kind of tea you have for me today?”
Rose’s smile made her face brighten. She turned to the table and spread her hands out in front of the small basket she brought in every morning. “As you can see, I have a variety of flavors today.”
They both laughed. The tea was never any different from one day to the next. Elizabeth chose one of the three teacups that were on the tray next to the basket and plopped a small tea bag into it. She held it out for Rose to pour in the water.
“Thank you, Rose. How has the day gone for you and the children?”
“Very well. They are learning so fast. So intelligent. It really surprises me sometimes.”
“They take after their daddy. Not that there was anything wrong with their mother.” She added hastily. “But Richard was always very smart. He was ahead of all the other young boys his age all through his schooling. I could never catch up with him, that was certain.”
Rose just nodded. There were a great many things to admire about the Duke. “Was he able to find an interesting match last night at the ball?”
Elizabeth snorted in an unladylike fashion, and Rose chuckled at the sound. “No,” Elizabeth said bluntly. “He isn’t really looking, though, is he? He has had many opportunities, even ladies who don’t mind becoming a step-mother to the children. They step up to him, but he doesn’t respond. That’s very discouraging.”
“Is he really trying at all? Does he participate in the dancing?”
“As well he should!” Elizabeth was a little frustrated with her brother. “But not enough. And when he does, he just…well, he doesn’t seem to want to be involved. And you have to want to be involved, or nothing will ever happen.”
“Perhaps he has high standards.” Rose smiled.
“As well he should!” Elizabeth’s voice was firm, but her face betrayed that her frustration was because she cared about Richard. “But he can’t expect perfection, now can he?”
Rose was sure Richard wasn’t looking for perfection. He was a good man who wanted a good woman who could match him in wits, intelligence and humor. If he compromised, he could end up miserable his entire life.
“He has a right to keep his standards high.” She took the last sip of tea from her cup and set it down on the table, thinking about the Duke. She didn’t think he should compromise his values so that he could marry again. He knew his value and was comfortable being alone for now.
He had mentioned several times that it was Elizabeth who was so anxious for him to find someone.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about him finding a woman to marry. Although it would be good for him in status and society, he had his children to think about. He didn’t want to provide the wrong woman for them as a mother. He didn’t want to regret his decisions. That prompted him to be more cautious in his search. She understood that. If Frederick, Charlotte, and Samuel had been her children, she wouldn’t have wanted anything but the best for them. Her eyes strayed to where they were in their chairs, excitedly talking about the small gifts their aunt had brought them, showing them to each other and laughing.
“It was sweet of you to bring them toys and to come and sit with me this afternoon.” Rose looked at Elizabeth with a broad smile. “We always enjoy your visits.”
“It is my pleasure to be welcomed. I know whenever I want a hug, this is where I can go to get one.”
“You only mention your brother’s search for love. What about you? Have you found an eligible handsome bachelor yet?”
Elizabeth reached out with one hand and placed it on the table over Rose’s. “Honey, I’ve known for some time who I will marry.”
Rose looked confused. “Whatever do you mean? I have seen you with no men. Not one in particular anyway.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That’s because he doesn’t know it yet!”
“But what if he seeks out a different woman?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “He won’t. He is just as dedicated to me as I am to him. We just haven’t made it official.”
“How long has this been going on?” Rose was very surprised. Elizabeth was not a shy woman. She would have expected the Lady to announce her intentions, not keep them hidden. “Who is it? Do I know him?”
“You may have seen him when the children were allowed to come to the dance. He is Viscount Miles Clark.”
“Oh, I believe I know of whom you are speaking. He is a banker, is he not?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes.”
“I do know of him. He is a handsome man, held in high esteem among his peers.”
“Yes. He is kind and compassionate, and I like to talk to him. He doesn’t make me feel unhappy inside.”
“That’s certainly good.”
“You know…”
Rose was taken aback by the way Elizabeth was looking at her. “What is it?” She was a little fearful and stared back at Elizabeth.
A playful smile passed over Elizabeth’s lips. “You have been here with us for a long time now haven’t you?”
“Yes, you know that I have.”
“You would be a wonderful choice for Richard, you know.”
Rose felt her cheeks flush, and she opened her eyes wider. “Oh, Liz! What a thought!” She didn’t admit to her friend that she had thought many times about how highly she regarded the Duke. But as a governess, it was not her place to seek out the love of a Royal. No matter how long she had been with the family or how close she was to the children. “He would never consider it.”
“There is always a chance, dear. You have to keep your hopes up.”
“How did you come to decide my hopes were up for something like that?” Had she let her admiration for the Duke show? If so, it could be detrimental to her position in the house. She pictured Richard demanding that she leave the house at once. She saw herself weeping, packing her bags and saying goodbye to the children.
“Good Lord, you look as though I just suggested you jump from the third-floor balcony. Don’t look so terrified! Richard is a good, upstanding man.”
“Oh, I do agree!” Rose lowered her eyes to her lap. “But I am his governess, the governess of his children. He would never consider me for anything more than that.”
“I don’t know about that.” Elizabeth’s voice sounded sneaky, and Rose suspected she was hatching a plot in that creative mind of hers.
“What are you thinking, Liz? You have a very strange look on your face.”
“I was just thinking how good you would be for him.” Elizabeth smiled when Rose’s cheeks turned an even brighter pink.
“Oh!” Rose lifted one hand to her mouth and looked at the children behind Liz. They had no trouble entertaining themselves. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Elizabeth’s grin sparkled in her eyes. “I can see you have thought the same thing. Tell me you have.”
Rose dared not say the words. She nodded once.
“Well, it doesn’t surprise me, Rose. He is a fine catch and of any lady, you know that very well.”
“I also know my place, Liz. I have no nobility at all. I don’t think he would think of me as anything more than a governess.”
“We don’t know that. The man of a mind can be a very mysterious thing.”
Chapter Three
Rose was unable to get her mind off of the conversation with Elizabeth the rest of the day. Richard ate dinner with his children every night that he wasn’t out and that evening, she found herself looking at him more often, wondering what he was thinking when he looked at her. It wasn’t until then that she realized they had never had any real conversations. She knew a lot about him, but he knew very little about her. She didn’t see passion or interest in him when he did speak to her.
Richard asked her how her day went when he saw her, but the conversation rarely went past that. She made up her mind during dinner to change that and gauge his reaction.
She took her seat next to Samuel, smiling as the children talked excitedly to each other about some kind of adventure they had had. They were very good at making up stories that made them sound very courageous and bold. Their imaginations were boundless.
When Richard came in to sit at the head of the table, she felt a bit nervous. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.
“Good evening, children, Rose. How is everyone today?”
“It was a good day, Daddy!” Samuel was the first to speak up, but the greetings from Frederick and Charlotte overlapped his. He laughed and looked at Rose.
“They are very excited today. Did you take them on an adventure?”
“I don’t really need to,” Rose responded, looking at the children fondly. “They make their own adventures. We did go for a walk around the grounds and through the garden. I’m sure they can think of some very exciting things they saw while we were out.”
“Oh yes! There was the biggest caterpillar I’ve ever seen on the walkway, daddy, the very biggest one! We thought it was going to get us, didn’t we, Charlotte?” Samuel bounced in his seat.
“You thought it would.” His sister replied. “I knew it was just a regular caterpillar.”
“Then why did you run away from it?”
“Because you were scared and I didn’t want you to feel alone.”
Richard threw back his head and laughed at the remark. “That’s very sisterly of you, Charlotte,” he said.
“Well, he was, daddy, he was scared. He ran and ran and we had to go get him.”
“It was going to get me!” Samuel insisted, even though both adults could see by the look on his face that he was teasing them all. “It was so big, and it was really fast for a caterpillar.”
Both Rose and Richard were laughing by this point. Rose looked up to see Richard looking at her, and the look on his face made him laugh even more.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about monster caterpillars before dinner?” He said. “We don’t want you to get an upset stomach.”
“Oh, I’m not gonna have an upset stomach.” Samuel continued, shaking his head soberly. “I would have just smashed it.”
“Oh, Samuel!” Charlotte protested. “That’s not what you’re supposed to do! You should leave it alone!”
“I did leave it alone! I was saying I would smash it if it came after me!”
“But then why did you run away from it?” It didn’t look like Charlotte was going to let the conversation end. “You were scared, and you ran away, but now you say you would just smash it.�
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“I would have!”
Charlotte shook her head and opened her mouth, to say something but her father interrupted her.
“I’m sure you would have saved the whole family if the caterpillar had grown so big and attacked you, Samuel. But let’s talk about a different adventure, shall we? What else did you do today?”
“We saw three birds we’ve never seen before!” Charlotte decided to answer that time. “They were very red, and they were up in the cherry tree. Samuel was going to throw a rock at them, but Rose wouldn’t let him.”
“Good for Rose.” Richard replied. Rose flushed and then felt silly for responding that way. He’d complimented her before, but now that Elizabeth had sparked her curiosity, she heard the compliment differently. “We don’t throw rocks at birds, not even ugly ones.”
“Oh, daddy, there aren’t any ugly birds.” Charlotte rolled her eyes at her father’s silliness. “They are all beautiful, even plain ones.”
“That’s very nice, honey.” Richard smiled at her. “You are very kind-hearted.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Richard looked at Rose. “How was your day today?”
“The children were very good. They paid attention to their schoolwork and learned a lot. They are so smart.”
Richard nodded. “Yes, they are. I’m proud of each of you.”
They all three responded with, “Thank you, daddy.”
“How was your day?”
Richard shook his head. “All boring business, I’m afraid. Nothing much to speak of. I begin to wonder if I’m in the wrong business.”
“Haven’t your family owned it for several generations?” She asked.
“Many. As far back as has been recorded. I don’t think we’ve ever been anything but businessmen. I’m… a little disappointed in it, to tell you the truth. I feel a bit wasted in my position, doing nothing but telling other people what to do all day.”
“It sounds like you aren’t having much fun. You should do something to amuse yourself…besides the balls and dancing, of course.”