The Duke and The Governess

by Lyndsey Norton

  ‘How much do you owe?’ The Duke asked coldly, standing in the hall way, feet apart, arms crossed over his chest, as if ready for a confrontation.

  ‘Thousands.’ Edward gabbled. ‘I don’t know how it happened, but suddenly I was in deep and now I can’t get out!’

  ‘How much to keep them at bay for a month?’ The Duke asked and looked down at his feet.

  ‘I can’t get anymore time. I’ve already kept them on the hook for a year!’ he almost shouted.

  ‘That’s unfortunate.’ John said firmly. ‘You should have brought this to my attention before you reached this stage. I’m afraid there is nothing I can do to help you, now.’

  ‘But you’re a Duke!’ Edward bellowed. ‘I risked everything believing you would help me!’

  ‘Then you are a fool.’ John sighed and nodded at Butcher, who opened the front door. ‘I’m sorry, Edward. But I cannot save you from your own stupidity. You gambled and you lost. I have no responsibility to pay your debts.’

  ‘But you were married to my sister!’ Edward shouted even louder.

  ‘Do not shout in this house!’ John said forcefully. ‘My young daughter is asleep upstairs and I will not have her disturbed by this disgraceful behaviour.’ He sighed. ‘Your sister is dead. If you cared about her at all, it was as a financier for your gambling. Now you have run out of ready and it’s time to pay the piper!’ He nodded again at Butcher. ‘Now you must leave.’ And he gestured to the door. He was aware that Edward was taller, but seemed even more cadaverous.

  ‘You mean bastard!’ Edward spat bitterly. ‘After all I’ve done for you, you turn me out in the cold?’

  ‘You haven’t done anything for me accept steal from me and embarrass me. I’m sure Victoria would have cut you off at the knees years ago, now be gone!’ and John put his palm on Edward’s chest and firmly pushed his back towards the door. Edward stumbled through the door and looked in horror as Butcher closed it firmly in his face and locked it.

  ‘Should I shoot the bolts, Your Grace?’ Butcher asked and the Duke nodded.

  ‘Do the back door as well and impress upon the staff not to leave the outer doors unlocked.’ He sighed. ‘In fact you’d better have a couple of footmen on patrol all night tonight and for the next few days. Until Edward has either settled his debt with his life or has been arrested by the Bow Street Runners.’

  ‘I wouldn’t put it past him to come in here and steal all the silver, although Mrs. Bennett has managed to secrete it all away in the cellar.’

  ‘No, I wouldn’t either. But we are going to Worcester tomorrow and I wouldn’t like to leave this place unprotected.’

  John sat in the hall and watched the footmen start their patrol of the downstairs and then he went up to bed. Masters was waiting as usual and helped John out of his tight fitting jacket.

  ‘Are you looking forward to the house party, Your Grace?’ Masters asked curiously.

  ‘Actually I am.’ John replied and smiled softly as he stripped off his shirt. Masters offered up the night shirt and John slipped it over his head. ‘If I’m right, I’ll see Jessica Gordon tomorrow.’ he murmured as he sat and offered his boot for removal.

  ‘Really?’ Masters said in surprise. ‘I thought she was widowed, Your Grace. Surely she wouldn’t be allowed to attend a house party?’ He yanked the other boot off and John stood to remove his britches and stockings.

  ‘She won’t be attending anything, except the children, Masters.’ John said with a chuckle. ‘You’ll probably see more of her than I will. She’s the Governess.’ And John slid between the crisp cotton sheets and Masters adjusted the eiderdown over him and part drew the bed curtains. He heard the Duke inhale sharply and yanked the curtains open again. He’d forgotten that the Duke didn’t like the curtains shut, ever since Victoria Asquith had surprised him one night. He still shuddered as he remembered the sight of the Duchess spread-eagled on the bed, where she had trussed herself after dribbling honey over her body. He had opened the curtains, rather than the Duke and as she looked up lasciviously at Masters, he almost vomited on her. He had moved away from the bed abruptly and the Duke had seen the shocked look on his face before he looked at the bed. Even Masters was surprised at the look of revulsion and disgust on the Duke’s face before he yanked the curtains closed and dismissed him. Masters had dutifully stood outside the suite and listened to the arguments as they hurled accusations and threats at each other for an hour. He hoped that Jessica Gordon would be a better wife and a better Duchess.

  ‘Then I’ll give her my full appraisal, Your Grace.’ He smiled in the darkness as he snuffed the last candle. ‘But you’ve loved her for so many years I really don’t think my opinion will matter. Goodnight, Your Grace.’

  ‘Good night, Masters.’ John said dreamily. He cuddled up on his side, with his arms around his pillow and smiled that he would see Jessica Gordon the next day, unless something tragic happened. His mind suddenly went off at a tangent as he had a picture of Edward stealing into the house and snatching Elizabeth from her bed. Without even stopping to put his dressing gown over his nightshirt, he ran to the nursery, scooped the sleeping child out of her bed and walked back to his room, making sure Masters put a footman on the door. He laid the sleeping child in his bed, climbed in beside her and cradled her delicate body in his arms. More than once he woke in the night sweating. He was amazed at just how much heat she produced. But he groaned loudly when she jumped on him in the morning.

  ‘Daddy! Did I spend the night in your bed with you?’ She demanded shrilly as she knelt on his chest.

  ‘You did my little pigeon.’ He murmured. And then he squealed as she tickled his ribs and he reciprocated, until she was breathless and scrunched in a ball at the bottom of the bed, begging for mercy.

  There was a polite knock and John grabbed Elizabeth by the arms and dragged her back up the bed. Sat her up and pulled the sheets over her chest. He did the same and then said ‘Come In?’

  Elizabeth giggled as Mrs. Beaton walked through the door saying good morning. ‘I feel like a Duchess.’ She said to her father. ‘Can I sleep with you every night?’

  ‘No. Last night was special, because I missed you so and I was afraid.’ He lifted her hand and stroked her fingers.

  ‘Afraid?’ Elizabeth asked as if this was another new concept, her daddy being afraid of anything. ‘What were you afraid of?’

  He kissed her hand and stroked it over his cheek. ‘I was afraid Uncle Edward would come into the house and take you away.’

  ‘But why would he do that?’ she said confused. ‘He’s never done it before.’

  ‘No and I didn’t want to give him the opportunity to hurt you, so you stayed here. But tonight you’ll be at the house party and Mrs. Beaton will be in your room with you!’ He placed her hand back in her lap.

  ‘It’s time Lady Elizabeth was in her own suite, Your Grace.’ Mrs. Beaton said firmly.

  John looked at Elizabeth and they both giggled. Then Elizabeth smiled and said ‘Very well, Nanny. I’m coming.’ She planted a huge sloppy kiss on her father’s cheek and climbed out of the huge ducal bed and was escorted back to the nursery by Mrs. Beaton.

  At breakfast, Mrs. Beaton finally tackled the Duke about Edward.

  ‘He arrived here last night all hot and bothered because his gambling debts are finally catching up with him.’ The Duke sighed. ‘I didn’t want him to have the opportunity to snatch Elizabeth for a ransom. That’s why I took her from the nursery and put a footman on the door.’

  ‘Well, I understand, Your Grace, but it’s not something you should do regularly. If word of it gets out, people will talk.’ She said firmly and then looked at the duke in such away that he understood her completely.

  ‘Yes, I understand, Mrs. Bea. People will gossip that I interfere with her.’ He smiled cautiously. ‘Still if Elizabeth mentions it, you’ll have to explain about her uncles bad debts.’

  ‘Very well, Your Grace.’ Mrs. Beaton said as Elizabeth flew through the d
oor and ran around the table.

  ‘Maybe it’s just as well we’re going to the country.’ The duke said affectionately. ‘At least she’ll have more space to run around.’

  ‘As she gets older, Your Grace, she could do with being more in the country, until it’s time for her bow.’ Mrs. Beaton sighed. ‘And that’s when she’ll need a governess, if you’ve not remarried.’

  ‘I doubt I will ever marry again, Mrs. Bea.’ John Farrington murmured as a picture of Jessica Gordon flashed across his mind’s eye.

  Chapter Six

  Little Malvern Manor, August 1812

  The manor at Little Malvern was as ready as it would ever be. All the servants’ quarters in the attics had had their mattresses aired and made up with fresh linen. Staff space was at a premium, because each family would bring a valet, a maid and a nanny, as well as coachmen and footmen. Their horses would need stabling and their carriages would need storage. All the sleeping bunks over the stables and barns had been cleaned out and made afresh and two cottages had been fitted with bedding for the overflow.

  Of course, this was nothing to the Viscount and Viscountess. They weren’t personally inconvenienced at all, but Lady Evelyn certainly looked a little green with worry at breakfast that morning.

  ‘Are you sure everything is in order Plunkett?’ She asked the butler for the hundredth time. Lord Michael flicked his paper and sighed and then tried to concentrate on the gossip column in front of his eyes.

  ‘Yes, Lady Evelyn. The servant’s hall is ready, the stables are ready and Miss Jessica is putting the finishing touches to the nursery wing. The guest rooms have all been aired and prepared, with fresh flowers in each suite. The gardeners have trimmed the lawns over the last two days, the topiary was finished this morning and Old Bates is just fussing with the potted plants for the terraces.’ He sighed deeply. ‘There really isn’t anything else to worry on, Milady. Mrs. Green and cook have sorted the menu for today and the extra staff have arrived from the village and are getting ready. Mrs. Green and myself will give them the speech once they’re all ready and presentable. I should have them in the main hall in half an hour for your inspection.’ He took a deep breath. ‘The ballroom has been decorated for tonight’s ball and Sanders is just finishing polishing the floor. The maids have finished dusting the library and have laid fires in all the guest rooms. The large stoves in the coach house are already alight and the coppers are on for the hot water and they won’t go out until the last guest leaves. I’m still waiting for the musician’s to arrive for tonight, but they’re not due here until this afternoon, anyway.’ Plunkett stopped abruptly and waited for Lady Evelyn to speak again.

  ‘Do you know, Plunkett? I had no idea it would be such hard work to hold a house party.’ She said in apology.

  ‘It is very hard work for the staff, your ladyship, but we will endeavour to make it a memorable week for your guests.’

  Lady Evelyn smirked suddenly. ‘Do you sprout horns and brandish a whip at the staff?’

  ‘I do not, Your Ladyship. But woe is the person that crosses the line. I’m a stickler for correctness and don’t like sloppy work.’

  ‘If I hear a whip crack and a maid scream, I’ll know she crossed the line!’ Lady Evelyn said. ‘Very well, Plunkett, carry on and I’ll be in the hall in half an hour.’

  ‘Yes, Milady.’ Plunkett said with a bow and left with alacrity, so that he could go and have a smoke in the kitchen garden.

  Lord Michael looked over the top of his paper. ‘Do you realise that the gossips think you’re having and affair with Warwick?’

  She made a moue of distaste. ‘That’ll be because he smiled so brightly when he accepted the invitation to this party.’ She looked up at her husband. ‘Did you know that Jessica is the youngest daughter of Lady Helen Gordon?’

  ‘I didn’t.’ Michael looked quite shocked. ‘Should we have invited them?’

  ‘No. I think Jessica would have been quite put out and they don’t seem to write to her. Perhaps we should leave the subject alone. I’m sure she’ll tell us about it eventually.’ She said and poured a fresh cup of tea.

  ‘She talked to Andrew, the day she arrived, but he’s been very discreet. I think he likes her.’

  ‘Maybe they will form an attachment.’ Lady Evelyn said distantly.

  ‘I hope they don’t, because one of them would have to leave our employ if they tried to get married.’

  ‘Oh! I can’t lose Jessica, she’s too good with the children and Peter’s Latin is already improving. When he goes to Eton next year, he’ll be on a par with his peers.’

  ~*~*~*~

  Jessica walked slowly from room to room, checking fires and linens on all the beds. Each suite in the nursery wing had a nanny’s room and two children’s rooms. For the babies, cots had been provided and the wet nurse would sleep in the other children’s room. She was actually finding it quite daunting, the prospect of keeping control and the interest of nearly twenty children, but thankfully some were older than others and the babies weren’t really her responsibility. She arrived back at the school room and smiled contentedly as she looked at her charges reading.

  ‘Do you know, you must be the three most well behaved children in the world!?’ she said as she sat at her desk. ‘You hardly ever run around and scream.’

  ‘We did enough of that with our last governess.’ Peter said calmly. ‘She was actually quite a bad influence on us.’

  ‘I suspect you’ll see some very bad behaviour over the next week. Usually peers children can be unmanageable and like to disrupt the Governess to get her fired.’ She smiled at the memory of her brother putting a toad in the Governess’s desk. ‘My brothers were particularly adept at it.’

  ‘Did you have a Governess, then?’ Susanna asked.

  ‘I did. That’s how I learned to read Latin and Greek. Just as you will.’ She stood up. ‘Now I expect the first guests to start arriving soon, so we should adjourn downstairs.’

  Taking Susanna’s hand they went down and joined their parents in the main drawing room. Lady Evelyn was discussing something with Mrs. Green, the housekeeper and Lord Michael was in conversation with Plunkett.

  The children sat together quietly on the settee and waited for their parents to notice them.

  They all heard the rattle of the livery as a coach approached the house and Plunkett excused himself politely and went out to greet the new arrivals. Jessica followed him and was surprised to see Anthony standing in the hall removing his gloves.

  ‘Jessie!’ he bellowed, ‘Damn me you look well!’ And he held his arms out for a hug.

  ‘Good morning, My Lord.’ Jessica said dutifully and gave a little curtsey.

  ‘Good God! You don’t have to address me as Lord!’ Anthony said firmly. ‘I’m your brother-in-law, Lady Jessica.’ And he clutched her to his chest in a bear hug.

  ‘I don’t think so. The old Earl made it plain I wasn’t entitled to use the Carruthers name anymore.’ Jessica said softly as she pushed him away.

  Anthony started to laugh and took her hand, placing it in the crook of his elbow. ‘Well, you see this is what happened. When I got home and found you gone, I went straight to father to give him a piece of my mind...’ he stopped and looked at the luggage coming through the door. ‘...those trunks belong to Lady Jessica and I would like them taken to her suite!’ he said firmly making Jessica hide a smile behind her hand. Plunkett nodded and the luggage vanished quickly upstairs. ‘Where was I? Oh yes! Father and a piece of my mind. He did his usual bombastic shouting, to which I took no notice, he even brought Richmond in to force me to sign the document about your wedding day and then the next morning he gives me the package of documents and tells me to deliver them to London!’ Anthony laughed loudly. ‘Of course, the documents are still in my room in the London residence!’ He laughed again. ‘So your marriage was never annulled and you are still Lady Jessica Carruthers.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Lord Michael said from the door to the
drawing room.

  ‘I didn’t know, my Lord.’ Jessica smiled. ‘May I present Lord Anthony Carruthers, the Earl of Dean?’ She turned to Anthony, ‘The Viscount and Viscountess of Malvern, Lord Michael and Lady Evelyn Clifton.’ She patted Anthony on the arm. ‘Let’s keep this to ourselves for now. It’s much easier if everybody thinks I’m just plain Miss Gordon, the Governess.’ She turned to the children. ‘These are the Right Honourables. Peter, James and Susanna.’

  ‘I understand this is a family affair and I wonder why you invited me.’ Anthony said impertinently.

  ‘I have two widows and a widowed Duke on my guest list. You’re single and may appreciate some flirting?’ Lady Evelyn said and laughed gaily.

  ‘Yes, that sounds delightful. Are we spending the week trussed up like chickens or do we get to relax the dress code?’ Anthony asked.

  ‘The ball tonight will be formal, but I think we can relax the code during the day.’ Lord Michael said mischievously. ‘At least I intend to.’ And fingered his cravat.

  ~*~*~*~

  ‘Are we there yet?’ Elizabeth Farrington asked for the ten thousandth time.

  ‘No we aren’t!’ Mrs. Beaton said and grabbed her arm, forcing Elizabeth to sit properly on the seat.

  ‘Do you remember me talking about behaviour last night?’ the Duke asked and raised his eyebrows.

  ‘Yes, Daddy. I remember. But we’re not there yet, so I can still jump around for a bit.’

  ‘No, I think you should get into the practice of sitting demurely and being seen and not heard!’

  ‘Yes, Daddy.’ And Elizabeth sat back, folded her hands in her lap and remained silent.

  John Farrington returned to his paperwork and tried to immerse himself in business again, but he couldn’t get the thrill of actually seeing Jessica Gordon out of his mind. Every time he tried to read the missive in his hand, he ended up looking out of the window and seeing Jessica in her debutante’s white gown and how she glowed with good health. He remembered the innocence in her countenance and the sparkle of humour in her eyes.