The Duke and The Governess

by Lyndsey Norton

  ‘Jessica? You should try moving your limbs.’ The Duke of Warwick said firmly and she looked at him again, smiled and nodded.

  ‘What the hell happened?’ Anthony demanded as he arrived from the stable yard.

  ‘Boston damned near killed her as he was leaving the yard.’ The Duke told him and wasn’t surprised to see rage bloom on his face.

  Boston was on his feet again, ineffectually wiping at the mud on his britches. ‘My britches are ruined.’ He moaned.

  ‘You stupid bastard!’ burst from Anthony’s mouth as he launched himself at Boston and before John could stop him, Anthony planted his fist in Boston’s left eye, followed smartly by his right in the gut. Both Andrew and the Duke grabbed his arms to restrain him and Boston was again sitting in the mud on the lane.

  By this time Jessica had sat up and was moving her legs and testing her feet. Andrew left the Duke to deal with the quality and returned to Jessica. ‘How do you feel now?’ he asked solicitously.

  ‘It’s just my head.’ She murmured gently rubbing the back of her head. ‘It’s pounding and I feel dizzy.’

  ‘Do you remember what happened?’ He asked softly.

  She looked up at his face and saw the Duke of Warwick standing behind him with her brother-in-law the Earl of Dean. ‘I was coming to see you.’ she frowned. ‘The Duke had asked about the ponies.’ She was quiet for a moment as she watched a blustering Viscount Boston get to his feet again and she was delighted to see the mud smeared all over his britches. ‘There was a huge black horse....?’ and she shook her head and moaned as the world span again.

  ‘Can you stand?’ the Duke asked and extended a hand and between him and Andrew they lifted her with ease onto her feet. She stood wavering for a few minutes. ‘Perhaps you should lie down.’ Jessica snorted out a laugh, took two steps and almost collapsed. John was the nearest, so he scooped her up into his arms. ‘Maybe you should go to your quarters and we’ll call for a doctor, just to be on the safe side.’

  ‘Thank you, Your Grace.’ Jessica said calmly, ‘that would be....sensible.’ She managed to hide the throbbing of her pulse and she hoped her cheeks weren’t flaming as brightly as she thought they were. She closed her eyes and heard Andrew send one of the boys for the Surgeon.

  The Duke walked steadily back to the house, through the yard. ‘Do you think she’ll be alright?’ she heard Anthony ask, not realising he was following.

  ‘I should think it’s a little bit of concussion, it’ll make her dizzy for a couple of days, but she’ll recover.’ The Duke responded.

  ‘If you know that much,’ Jessica muttered, ‘I’m surprised you sent for the doctor.’ And opened her eyes slowly and gasped at the expression in the Duke’s eyes as he looked down on her. There was a multitude of things behind that gaze and she realised what they might be as he flicked his gaze towards Anthony and licked his lips. She could hear his heart thumping next to her ear.

  ‘We need to be sure.’ He said evenly, but she felt his fingers move on the back of her knees.

  The Duke felt his heart race away as he stared down into Jessica’s blue eyes, seeing for the first time the cobalt blue band around the lens of her eyes, spreading out in rays towards the outer iris, made obvious because her pupils were like pinpricks in the bright sunshine. John felt that hollowness in his stomach that he’d not really felt since that night they danced at her first ball. It took all his will power to wrench his eyes away from hers.

  As they followed the path from the stable yard to the house, they met the Viscountess coming the other way, along with the Marquis and Marchioness of Wiltshire and the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.

  ‘What happened?’ Lady Evelyn demanded and hurried up to The Duke. Jessica feigned sleep.

  ‘There was an unfortunate accident on the lane by the paddocks.’ John Farrington said evenly. ‘I’m afraid Viscount Boston almost ran her down with his steed.’

  ‘Oh! No!’ Blurted Lady Evelyn. ‘Mrs. Tabb will sort her out though, has the doctor been sent for?’

  ‘Yes, I believe one of the grooms has gone.’ The Duke smiled softly. ‘The thing is; I don’t know where to take her. Does she have a room?’

  ‘In the nursery,’ Lady Evelyn said firmly. ‘Mrs. Tabb will show you where.’ She smiled brightly and followed the other peers to the stables as if the almost trampling of her governess didn’t rate more than a compassionate sigh.

  Both the Duke and the Earl looked after Lady Evelyn and frowned. Jessica snorted out a giggle at their expressions. ‘Don’t be so offended.’ She murmured. ‘I’m a member of staff and therefore unworthy of worry, unless I resign.’

  The Duke looked down at her and the frown continued. ‘I hope I’d have a little more compassion for my staff than a desultory enquiry.’

  As Anthony passed them to open the door, Jessica raised her hand and stroked her fingers along his jaw. ‘You see me as the person I once was,’ she murmured and smiled sadly, ‘she only knows me as the governess. A chattel to teach her children.’ She shrugged her shoulders and dropped her hand, ‘what more could you expect?’

  ‘I would expect her to care if you got trampled by a horse!’ he snapped a little more abruptly than he intended.

  Jessica genuinely laughed as they went through the door into the kitchen corridor. ‘She would care if she had to find another governess!’ She clapped her hand to her head and moaned as a dizzy fit made the world spin.

  ‘You should close your eyes again.’ The Duke advised and she complied with out complaint.

  ‘I feel quite sick.’ Jessica murmured. John increased his pace and they fairly ran up the service stairs to the second floor. Mrs. Tabb was standing waiting at the entrance to the nursery wing.

  ‘Oh! Your Grace.’ She said in surprise. ‘That is very kind of you. Bring her this way.’ And she led them to the Governess’s rooms. There was a small sitting room that doubled as an office and behind it was a fairly comfortable bedroom. John was glad to see that it was warm, tasteful and comfortable. He strode over to the bed and carefully laid Jessica upon the coverlet and smiled down at her.

  ‘Will you be alright until the Doctor arrives?’ he asked softly.

  ‘Yes, thank you, Your Grace.’ She replied courteously. ‘You should rejoin the party and go riding. You too Anthony. I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Anthony asked his fear stark upon his face. ‘Because I can sit with you if you’d like.’ He murmured.

  ‘Please. I’m fine, just a little dizzy. Mrs. Tabb? Would you escort the gentlemen out?’ Jessica did not trust herself. If the Duke stayed, she would probably make a fool of herself, so she behaved as etiquette dictated and Mrs. Tabb shooed them out of the door.

  ‘What happened?’ Mrs. Tabb asked exasperated.

  ‘Apparently the Viscount Boston tried to trample me under foot.’ Jessica said and smiled wanly. ‘I really do feel quite sick.’ She mumbled as her stomach heaved and Mrs. Tabb snatched the bowl off the washstand and shoved it under her face. After Jessica had evacuated her stomach contents, Mrs. Tabb helped her undress and into her nightgown.

  One of the young housemaids arrived. ‘Pardon me, Ma’am. But the Duke asked me to look after you for a couple of days?’ She said timidly and tried to smile. ‘Me name’s Annabel, but everyone calls me Annie.’

  ‘You should go downstairs and wait for the Doctor.’ Mrs. Tabb said ‘and bring him here straight away!’ The maid shot out of the door like lightening.

  ‘Could you draw the curtains, please Mrs. Tabb?’ Jessica murmured. ‘It’s really very bright in here.’

  Chapter Nine

  Jessica spent two days in bed. When the doctor finally arrived, she had been sick almost continuously and there was nothing left to vomit. The Doctor tested her visual acuity, gave her a dose of Laudanum big enough to knock out a horse and she slept through until the next morning. She dozed and rested in bed, but by Wednesday night she felt like a cheat. Annie had been a godsend, keeping her up to date with all the serva
nt’s gossip of the nobs goings on.

  ‘It’s regular musical beds!’ she said in disgust. ‘I saw Viscount Boston creeping out o’ ‘is room last night.’ Jessica made a noncommittal sound. ‘D’you know where ‘e was goin’?’ Jessica made a negative sound. Annie was brushing her hair. ‘ ‘e tapped on Lady Pritchard’s door and she opened it and just let ‘im straight in!’ she said indignantly.

  ‘Well, you have to remember that most noble marriages are arranged.’ Jessica said firmly. ‘Mine was and I didn’t even know my husband. Maybe Viscount Boston and Lady Pritchard have a love interest.’ Jessica said in explanation.

  ‘It weren’t no love tryst!’ Annie said. ‘That Viscount has been sniffing around the servant’s hall and has groped a few of us maids.’ She sniffed disdainfully. ‘‘e hasn’t managed to corner me yet!’

  ‘So who else is bedroom hopping?’ Jessica asked absently as she cleansed her face with cologne. ‘Either of the Duke’s?’ she asked cheekily.

  ‘No, Milady.’ Annie sniggered, ‘although I’ve heard the Duke of Warwick’s valet turn Lady Greyston away.’ She started plaiting Jessica’s hair.

  ‘Really?’ Jessica asked in surprise.

  ‘Yeah, the Duke leaves ‘im on duty like some old guard dog.’

  ‘What about the Norfolks?’ Jessica dropped her cotton wool into the waste bin.

  ‘ ‘er Grace’s maid tells us ev’ry mornin’ ‘ow loud ‘er Grace can scream when the Duke is servicin’ ‘er.’ She sniffed. ‘ ‘tis a love match, me thinks.’ And Annie tied the ribbon. ‘Will there be anything else, Milady?’

  ‘No thank you, Annie.’

  ‘I’ll see ya in the mornin’ then, wiv a nice ‘ot bath.’ And Annie scuttled out, yelped and turned back. ‘Milady? The Duke is ‘ere, we’re ya expecting ‘im?’

  ‘Just a moment.’ Jessica said as her heart thudded in her chest and her cheeks flamed. She reached for her dressing gown, shrugged it on and tied the sash. ‘Annie if you could wait, please?’ she smiled at the maid and indicated a chair in the corner of the sitting room.

  Jessica smiled and curtsied for the Duke of Warwick. ‘Your Grace. This is unexpected. How can I help you?’

  ‘We have been quite worried about you, Lady Carruthers. I’m afraid the Earl and I drew straws to see which one would come to check on your progress.’

  ‘Did you lose?’ Jessica asked, laughter bubbling in her throat.

  ‘No. I won!’ The Duke said and laughed. ‘We were concerned. The last time the Earl checked you were still asleep.’

  ‘I’ve been quite lazy, Your Grace. But I shall be back on duty tomorrow morning.’ Jessica said formally. ‘My head is quite recovered, now.’ She smiled at him. ‘Thank you for enquiring, Your Grace.’

  They were standing near the door, separated from the maid. John could barely keep his hands to himself, she looked so alluring with her hair plaited and the ruffled collar of her nightgown showing over the collar of her housecoat. He never realised buttoned up to the chin could be so seductive. He longed to strip both items from her body, but he was acutely aware of the maid watching.

  ‘I want to kiss you.’ he murmured and slowly took Jessica’s hand. ‘It scared me to death.’ He whispered as he raised her hand to his lips. ‘I heard somebody scream, turned and saw you fly through the air.’ He looked deep into her eyes. ‘Life is too short for lost opportunities and we’ve already had one. I don’t intend for us to have another.’

  ‘Are you proposing, Your Grace.’ Jessica asked in a croaky voice, shocked at his importuning.

  ‘I’m proposing we pursue this...thing between us.’ He said carefully. ‘Meet me tomorrow night by the clue tree and maybe we can discuss it more freely?’

  ‘I shouldn’t.’ Jessica said firmly, but her heart tripped at the expression in his eyes, it was a mixture of hope and fear, as if he was terrified she would say no. ‘It’s not right, Your Grace.’ She whispered.

  ‘I know, but you’re a widow, not an innocent debutante.’ He said and pulled her hand to his chest. She could feel his heart pounding.

  ‘Very well, Your Grace.’ She said coyly. ‘Do you have a specific time in mind?’

  ‘After dark, I think. Maybe ten o’clock?’ he suggested as he stroked two fingers down her cheek.

  ‘Ten sounds a fine time for an assignation.’ She sniggered then, slapping her fingers over her mouth to stop her from laughing out loud. ‘Now I think you should go, Your Grace.’ She said firmly and gently pulled her hand from his. She stepped back and dropped the curtsey again. ‘Goodnight.’

  It was obvious he didn’t want to go, but he did. He said ‘Goodnight.’ Calmly and turned for the door.

  As the door closed behind him. Jessica was filled with elation.

  ‘Ya wanna be careful wiv the likes of ‘im.’ Annie said as she stood beside Jessica and folded her arms. ‘‘e’s only after one thing and when ‘e’s ‘ad it, you’ll not see ‘ide nor ‘air of him!’ Jessica looked at her in horror. ‘I’m only tellin’ it like it is.’ She said firmly.

  ‘Thank you, Annie.’ Jessica intoned solemnly. ‘That will be all.’

  ‘Goodnight, Milady.’ Annie said and left quickly, as she did everything.

  Even though Annie’s words were fair, Jessica was still filled with an excitement she’d never felt before. She climbed into bed and wondered what tomorrow would bring.

  ~*~*~*~

  John went back downstairs to find Anthony waiting at the bottom. ‘That didn’t take long.’ He snorted.

  ‘She kept her maid in the room as propriety demands.’ The Duke said firmly. ‘She’s fine and will be back on duty tomorrow.’

  They turned together for the card room unaware that both Lady Pritchard and Lady Greyston had overheard them.

  ‘Do you think the Duke has a thing for the Governess?’ Lady Christina Pritchard asked provocatively.

  ‘It’s the only explanation for why he would have anything to do with Carruthers.’ Lady Eleanor Greyston replied vitriolically. ‘I want him and I’m determined to get him!’ She said firmly making Lady Pritchard raise her eyebrows.

  ‘I didn’t know you were looking for a new husband? I thought you wanted light hearted flirtation.’ Christina said evenly.

  ‘Are you kidding? I want to be a Duchess.’ Eleanor said emphatically with a predatory gleam in her eye.

  ‘Personally, I think you’re wasting your time. Warwick has been footloose and fancy free for over three years and is rather particular where he satisfies his base urges. If he was looking for another Duchess he would be searching among the new crop of debutantes, not some aging Governess.’ Christina folded her arms and stared at Eleanor Greyston. ‘He wants to give her a tumble. Why interfere with it. Once we get back to London you can plan your campaign to win him.’

  ‘That’s the strange thing, though. We never hear any gossip about Warwick. It’s as if all he does is sit in the House and sit in his study.’ Eleanor intoned. ‘It’s as if the man doesn’t have a life and he should.’

  ‘Is that why you want him, so that you can show him a good time?’ Christina sniggered. ‘Christ! You sound like a debutante. Fuck him and be done with it!’ and she sauntered into the card room, leaving Eleanor throbbing with frustration. She had convinced herself that the Duke would fall into her arms by the end of the opening ball, but every time she tried to access his rooms, his valet was there like a watch dog. She’d even tried to bribe the idiot to go away, but he refused making pathetic excuses. She’d even tried to access the Duke’s bedroom through the Earl’s room, but the connecting door was locked and Plunkett couldn’t or wouldn’t find the key. She followed Christina Pritchard into the card room and could see the Duke and the Earl deep in conversation over brandy. She knew they were talking politics because Norfolk joined them. She went and joined the ladies in another room, who were being regaled with poetry by the very handsome Jonathon Lancaster, Earl of Bedford.

  ~*~*~*~

  Masters missed Lady Greyston.
He’d already been in the room to lay out the Duke’s night things, check the fire, turn back the covers on the bed and left the suite to fetch a fresh jug of hot water. When he returned he put the jug next to the washstand and left the room without even looking at the bed.

  He waited for the Duke in the sitting room. John Farrington arrived with Anthony Carruthers, laughing at a joke that the Earl’s valet had cracked out on the landing.

  ‘Hot water is beside the basin, Your Grace.’ Masters said evenly. ‘Will there be anything else?’

  ‘No thank you, Masters.’ John said and he gave them both a good night as Anthony stumbled into his room with his valet, a little the worse for the brandy he’d been drinking steadily all night. Masters was just tidying the sitting room before retiring.

  John closed the door and stripped off his jacket, dumping it on the chair and loosened his cravat. He frowned as he looked at the bed. Masters never shuts the curtains. He thought in confusion. I never sleep with them closed. He sauntered over to the bed, carelessly got hold of the curtains and yanked them open. His mouth dropped open in astonishment. ‘Lady Greyston! What are you doing in my bed?’ he asked indignantly and raised an eyebrow at her inquisitively. Visions of Victoria flashed before his eyes, both her spread-eagled on the bed and the vicious words after Masters had found her there.

  ‘Waiting for you, Your Grace.’ She replied seductively and John noticed that she was showing rather an abundant amount of naked flesh, as she was utterly without apparel. Her body was curvaceous, from her dainty feet to her lustrous golden haired head. Her breasts were so large that without the support of stays they flopped over sideways in a most unbecoming manner and as John’s eyes travelled down towards the apex of her thighs, he almost closed his eyes in horror. Her mons pubis had been shaved and she looked like a little girl. He was just considering this and how to get her out of his rooms, when she opened her legs suggestively. ‘Isn’t there something you should be doing?’ she asked, drawing his attention back to her face, and she eyed his groin as if she was going to launch herself at it. John tried valiantly not to puke on her at the thought of her sucking his cock, but he couldn’t hide the revulsion on his face. The naked body before him did absolutely nothing for him. His manhood sat in his britches and didn’t even twitch. If that had been Jessica, his manhood would have poked her in the eye. But it wasn’t and all he felt was disgust. An image of his uncle dying of the pox shoved the vision of Victoria out of his mind’s eye and he shuddered.