A Very Unusual Governess

by Sylvia Andrew

  ‘Please, Gussie! The best I can now do for Lisette is to help her forget her problems and have a wonderful Season. Please help me!’

  ‘Oh, very well, I’ll do it. Sally Jersey will hand over the vouchers, she owes me a favour or two. But I warn you, little sister, I’m going to keep a careful eye on you when we’re in London!’

  Edward Barraclough was not mentioned again, and for the rest of the visit they discussed practical details. Octavia left her sister feeling that things were arranging themselves quite well.

  Her next move was to London to pay a visit to Bruton Street. Madame Rosa was surprised, but very gracious. She had been dressing the Warnhams’ daughters, all five of them, for many years, and Octavia was a firm favourite.

  ‘Lady Octavia! Zis is indeed a pleasure,’ she said, with one glance destroying any illusions Octavia might have about what she was wearing. ‘I see you need my ’elp. Immediately. Are you planning to do ze Season next year?’

  ‘I rather thought I might, madame.’

  ‘You will need a new wardrobe, of course. ’ow many years since you were in London?’

  ‘Too many,’ said Octavia with a smile.

  For a while they discussed trends, styles and materials. It was too early to make final decisions or arrange times for fittings, but Madame asked Octavia not to leave it too late. ‘We are so busy, milady! You ’ave no idea! All ze world wants Madame Rosa to dress zare daughters. I do not, of course, accept most of zem. Indeed, I accept very few new clients now.’

  ‘I wonder if you might make an exception?’ said Octavia. ‘I have a young friend who, I assure you, will make a sensation in Society when she comes out next year. She is very beautiful, Madame. She would be worth dressing. A Miss Lisette Barraclough.’

  ‘It is not easy…I ’ave so many valued existing clients, Lady Octavia…’

  ‘As a favour to me,’ said Octavia, with a touch of firmness in her tone.

  ‘Zen I will! Of course I will! If you would bring ’er to see me…?’

  ‘I can’t do that. In fact, I should be obliged to you if you do not mention my name at all, especially not to the person who will probably come with her—her aunt, Mrs Henry Barraclough.’

  ‘Alors, am I to make dresses for zees Mrs Barraclough, too?’ demanded Madame Rosa.

  Octavia smiled again. ‘Not if you are too busy, Madame,’ she said sweetly. ‘Just Miss Lisette.’

  Satisfied that she had done everything she could to smooth the way for her girls, Octavia went back to Ashcombe. She was at last free to think about her own future.

  In fact, the delay had given her turbulent emotions time to settle. After the scene in Mrs Carstairs’s room, she had already decided she must leave Wychford, so Julia Barraclough’s accusations had not made any difference to her plans. But Edward’s readiness to believe them, his harshness, his cruel interpretation of her motives, had been a bitter blow. She had expected him to think less of her after her wanton behaviour in the tower room, but he had been even more contemptuous than she had imagined. Gussie need have no fear that she would throw herself at Edward Barraclough in London! She wouldn’t risk any more of his contempt.

  The events at Wychford were now in the past, and she was ready to pick herself up and start to rebuild her self-respect, without any interference from Edward Barraclough. She had been a fool. But foolishness was not a crime. And though nothing could excuse her wanton behaviour, she could see now that there had been reasons for it. Intense physical attraction had played no part in her experience of life, and she had been perilously unaware of its power. For a while in that tower room she had almost drowned in a sudden onslaught of desire, the irresistible excitement of a man’s caresses. But now she was at least a wiser, if sadder, woman, with some sense of self-preservation. She would never risk such temptation again.

  And what about the man who had brought about such a devastating change in calm, level-headed Octavia Petrie? What about her feelings for Edward Barraclough? It was truly ironic that the man whose opinion of her was so low had turned out to be the one man whose good opinion she wanted more than anything in the world, the one man she could love. It was unlikely that she would ever marry him, but it would be impossible to marry anyone else.

  Octavia put this thought firmly behind her. Edward Barraclough was lost to her. But she had grown to love his nieces, and Harry was on the way to falling in love with Lisette. Knowing them both as well as she did, she truly believed they could be happy together. She had already done something towards smoothing the girls’ way in London. Now she must deliver on her promise to make sure Harry and Lisette met again. Next year’s Season was only a few months away.

  The ache in Octavia’s heart never quite went away in spite of all her famous self-discipline. But she was kept busy with her preparations for London, and time went by with surprising speed. Her father and his cousin were married in December. The occasion was a quiet but happy one, only marginally marred by Arthur’s ponderous speech of congratulation. Christmas came and went, and soon it was the end of January and time to think of moving to London. By the end of February Octavia was comfortably settled in the Monteiths’ mansion in St James’s Square, and the two sisters were busy with appointments with the mantua maker, the milliner and all the other purveyors of the fashionable image.

  They went about London, renewing old acquaintances, seeing the sights, and completing their wardrobes. Octavia breathed a sigh of relief when she learned that the Barracloughs were staying with friends in Gloucestershire, and were not expected back before the middle of March. Her own visits to Madame Rosa were more or less over, so there was no risk of seeing any of the Barracloughs there. Though she knew that they would all have to meet sooner or later, she preferred to choose her own time and place. It must not happen by accident, before they were all prepared.

  The moment came. It was announced in the Gazette’s daily list of arrivals in London that Mr and Mrs Henry Barraclough of Antigua, together with their two nieces, had taken up residence in South Audley Street. Miss Lisette Barraclough would be introduced to Society during the forthcoming Season.

  There was no mention of Mr Edward Barraclough, and Octavia could only assume that he had not yet returned to the capital. It seemed a good time to reveal her true identity to the rest of the Barracloughs. Though she had no liking for Julia, she had no desire to cause her a public loss of face. Their first meeting must take place in private. On the other hand, if she sent a note asking Julia to receive her, and signed it with her own name, it would certainly result in a refusal. So, two days later, she wrote a note to the house in South Audley Street, asking if she might call on Mrs Barraclough the following day, and signed it ‘Mrs Carstairs’s niece’. Julia ought to be sufficiently intrigued to agree to see her.

  It went exactly as she had foreseen. Mrs Barraclough had expressed her pleasure to receive Mrs Carstairs’s niece, but when Octavia walked into the room she stood up and exclaimed in a voice quivering with rage,

  ‘Octavia Petrie! What are you doing here? Who let you in? How dare you present yourself in my house!’ She went towards the bellrope to summon a servant, but before she could pull it Octavia said quickly,

  ‘Mrs Barraclough, pray forgive me, but please don’t do that! Give me a few moments, I beg you. I really am Mrs Carstairs’s niece. I’m afraid I have been very unfair to you, and I’ve come to apologise. I’d like to make what amends I can.’

  Julia looked at her suspiciously. ‘You! Mrs Carstairs’s niece? The owner of Wychford? What is this nonsense?’

  ‘If you’ll allow me to explain…Perhaps I ought to introduce myself properly.’

  ‘I already know who you are! You’re Octavia Petrie. Or is that a lie? Are you really Octavia Smith, perhaps?’

  ‘No, my name is Petrie. I’m the youngest daughter of Lord Warnham.’

  Julia sat down suddenly. ‘But…but that’s not possible! You were a governess!’

  ‘That was a misunderstanding, a mistake made by you
r nieces and…and your brother-in-law. I should never have let it continue. I assure you, I am Lord Warnham’s daughter.’

  ‘The Earl of Warnham?’ Octavia nodded. ‘You’re the Lady Octavia Petrie?’

  Octavia nodded again and said, ‘Please forgive me for deceiving you. It was very wrong of me. That’s why I’ve come today. It was certain we should meet soon, and I wanted to explain it all beforehand.’

  Julia sat for a moment, then said slowly, ‘So your brother—Harry Smith—is the son of Lord Warnham?’

  ‘Yes.’ For the life of her Octavia could not prevent a touch of coolness in her voice at Julia’s eye for essentials.

  ‘I see…’ After a brief pause Julia said more warmly, ‘But what am I thinking of? Will you not sit down, Lady Octavia?’

  ‘Thank you, but I hardly—’

  ‘I’m sure Philippa would never forgive me if I let you go away without letting her have a word with you. Lisette is here, too.’ Julia went to the bell rope again, and told the servant to find her nieces.

  Octavia gave in and sat down. ‘How are they?’

  ‘They are both in excellent spirits. Pip has a new governess—’ Julia grew red, and hesitated before going on rather hastily, ‘Miss Froom was unfortunately not free, but Miss Cherrifield came with excellent recommendations. I believe she has worked with the Monteiths for the past ten years.’

  ‘Does Pip like her?’

  This was clearly of less interest to Pip’s aunt. ‘I believe so. The Monteiths were most enthusiastic about Miss Cherrifield. I think we were fortunate to get her.’

  ‘That is quite a coincidence,’ said Octavia innocently. ‘The Duchess is my eldest sister. I am staying with her at present.’

  ‘Really?’

  The door opened before Julia could say any more, and Pip came sedately enough into the room, followed by Lisette. But when Pip saw Octavia she gave a kind of whoop and launched herself at her former governess. Ignoring Julia’s scandalised objection, Octavia gathered the child up and hugged her. Lisette came over to join them. She was smiling, but Octavia saw with concern that the indefinable look of sadness was back in her eyes.

  ‘Miss Petrie!’ Lisette took Octavia’s hand, then threw a puzzled glance at her aunt. ‘We didn’t expect to see you here. So soon, I mean.’

  ‘Lisette, we have been…er…mistaken. Miss Petrie turns out not to have been a governess at all.’

  ‘I knew! I knew! I said so to Edward!’

  Ignoring Pip’s outburst, Julia went on, ‘This is Lady Octavia Petrie. She is the daughter of Lord Warnham, and the owner of Wychford.’ Julia turned to Octavia with a smile. ‘A charming house!’

  ‘That’s not what you said!’ said Pip. ‘You didn’t like it. You said it was trying to kill you. That’s why we all had to come away. But I liked it a lot. Do you really own Wychford, Miss Petrie? Really and truly? May I come and stay with you?’

  ‘Don’t listen to the child!’ said Julia, looking slightly flustered. ‘Philippa, behave yourself and stop interrupting! Lady Octavia is far too busy to entertain a little girl like you.’

  ‘I shall be in London for some time, Pip. But, if it can be arranged, you shall pay me a visit at Wychford before long. Meanwhile, Mrs Barraclough, I wondered if you would permit me to take the girls out one afternoon?’

  ‘Of course!’ said Julia instantly. ‘When are you free?’

  ‘Tomorrow?’

  ‘Certainly. How very kind!’

  ‘But, Aunt Julia, you said we were to go with you tomorrow to see Mrs Allardyce—’

  ‘The arrangement was by no means fixed,’ said Julia firmly. ‘I am sure Mrs Allardyce will understand perfectly. Is your brother in town, Lady Octavia?’

  Lisette started and blushed, but sat back when Octavia said, ‘Not yet. He is still sorting out his commitments to the Army, and is at present in France. But I believe he will be here in time for the Season.’

  ‘We should be charmed to meet him,’ said Julia.

  ‘Charmed to meet whom?’ asked a deep voice by the door. Edward Barraclough came in.

  Octavia was profoundly grateful that Pip was still on her knee, that her face was half-hidden behind Pip’s curls. This encounter had come somewhat sooner than she had planned—she had thought he was still out of London. She felt herself grow pale, then her cheeks were warm again as the colour surged back into them.

  However, she had many times thought about their first meeting in London, and how she would deal with it. The feelings of humiliation and self-abasement following her flight from Wychford were now all behind her, and she was determined to be herself again—level-headed Lady Octavia Petrie, and no one’s fool, least of all Edward Barraclough’s!

  So, by the time Mr Barraclough had come far enough into the room to see who their visitor was, she was quite composed—on the surface, at least.

  ‘Edward, may I present Lady Octavia Petrie?’ said Julia with a little laugh. ‘What a distinguished governess you found for the girls! I hope it isn’t too much of a shock for you.’

  ‘It isn’t a shock,’ he said evenly. ‘I discovered Lady Octavia’s true identity not long after she left us.’ He bowed to Octavia. ‘I hope you are well?’

  Octavia set Pip down, then got up and curtsied. ‘Thank you, sir. But you could have saved yourself the trouble of finding out who I was. As you see, I’ve come to make my own apologies for deceiving you all.’

  ‘It was no trouble, ma’am. It was incidental. I discovered your secret in the course of investigating your brother.’ His tone was coolly businesslike.

  ‘Really?’ said Octavia, stiffly. ‘May I ask why you found it necessary to investigate anyone at all?’

  Edward’s smile of apology was less than sincere. ‘You must forgive me. I had to make sure that my ward had not fallen into the hands of some adventurer or other. At the time “Harry Smith” seemed a very dubious character.’

  ‘Edward!’ exclaimed Julia. ‘Mr Petrie is the son of the Earl of Warnham!’

  ‘That is what I found, along with the truth about Lady Octavia here. Has she told you she owns Wychford, as well? However, being the son of an Earl would not necessarily guarantee Mr Petrie’s respectability,’ said Edward drily. He turned to Octavia again. ‘You will no doubt be relieved to hear that I heard nothing to his discredit.’

  ‘Relieved?’ asked Octavia coldly. ‘What can you mean, sir? I know my brother. Whatever you may have heard about him is a matter of indifference to me.’

  ‘Edward, does this mean I could meet Mr Petrie with your approval?’ asked Lisette hesitantly.

  ‘Once you are out, and have been suitably introduced, it would be difficult to object,’ replied her uncle with a touch of impatience. ‘But there are many other equally eligible young men who would be delighted to know you, Lisette. Don’t set your mind too early on anyone in particular.’

  ‘Of course not,’ said Lisette in a subdued voice.

  Julia decided to intervene. ‘Lady Octavia has offered to take Lisette and Philippa out tomorrow, Edward. Isn’t that kind? And what do you think? Her elder sister is Miss Cherrifield’s former employer, the Duchess of Monteith!’

  Edward shot a sharp glance at Octavia, but she met his eyes and said calmly, ‘A surprising coincidence. I knew my sister had finished with Miss Cherrifield’s services, but that she should end up with Pip…I believe she is an excellent governess.’

  ‘No doubt,’ he said drily. There was a short pause, then he asked, ‘At what time do you intend to call for my nieces tomorrow? I might be here to accompany you.’

  ‘Edward! That would be lovely! Just like our walks at Wychford!’ cried Pip.

  Octavia was not sure quite why Edward Barraclough wanted to join them in their walk and she was not at all sure she ought to spend any time at all in his company. But it was difficult to refuse in the face of Pip’s enthusiasm.

  ‘That would be delightful, sir,’ she said woodenly. ‘Though I am surprised you have the time.’

&nbs
p; ‘Not at all, ma’am,’ he said smoothly. ‘I shall count it well spent.’

  The next afternoon Gussie watched in amusement as Octavia tried on one walking dress after another.

  ‘Those two young girls must be very difficult to please,’ she said.

  ‘Why do you say that?’ asked Octavia, twisting round to see how the latest attempt looked from the back.

  ‘I’ve seen you discard three of Madame Rosa’s best efforts, any one of which suits you perfectly. Especially the one in zephyrine silk.’

  ‘The blue one? You think that suits me best, do you? Then I’ll wear that,’ said Octavia, nodding to her maid to find it.

  ‘Tavy, why don’t you tell me what you’re up to? I refuse to believe that all this anxiety is in order to impress the Misses Barraclough. Are you quite sure that Edward Barraclough isn’t accompanying you? Or are you planning to meet some other young man on your outing?’

  ‘Of course not!’ said Octavia indignantly. ‘As if I would! The girls’ uncle did say he might accompany us, yes. But I assure you, I have no desire to impress Edward Barraclough. I’ve told you, I’m now indifferent to him! Why this catechism?’

  ‘Because you are behaving so unlike yourself! Martha has arranged that collar perfectly well, little sister, so stop fiddling with it. I wish to talk to you seriously.’

  ‘I can’t. I haven’t time. Thank you for your advice, I think this blue outfit looks quite well on me. Goodbye, Gussie!’ Octavia made her escape before her sister could probe any further.

  Gussie looked thoughtful, then sent for her husband’s secretary, who looked after her social arrangements. ‘My rout party, James. I should like to add to the list of people to be invited…’

  When Octavia arrived at the Barracloughs’, she found another carriage already waiting outside. Pip was standing by it, and as soon as she saw Octavia she cried,