Page 81 of The Governess and the Rogue

Neither had Bea. There had been no chance to speak with him privately. No opportunity to strategize. They’d yet to go over the plan for their amicable breakup.

Meg collected Bea’s painted fan from the dressing table. She handed it to her. “You’re anxious, I can tell. You needn’t be.”

Bea slipped the cord of the fan over her wrist. “I’m not accustomed to meeting earls and countesses,” she confessed. “I daresay I’m a little frightened of disgracing myself.”

“I was afraid of Lord and Lady Allendale once too,” Meg admitted. “My father didn’t get on with them.” She gave a short laugh. “An understatement. Our two families loathed each other. When Ivo and I m-met, neither of them was very happy about it. But Lord and Lady Allendale accepted me in the end. They’re doting grandparents, and they’ve been a great solace to me since m-my father died.”

Bea’s heart twinged with compassionate understanding. She knew what it was to lose the ones you loved. “I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing.”

Meg smiled. “I thank you. But it was a long while ago. Ten years, in fact. And it was n-not unexpected. My father had been ill for some time. My point is… Lord and Lady Allendale welcomed m-me into their family.”

Bea’s mouth tipped briefly. “Yes, but you weren’t a governess before you married your husband, were you?”

Meg’s eyes twinkled with humor. “I’m sure they’d rather I had been than a Burton-Smythe.” She straightened a piece of lace trimming on Bea’s overskirt. “Come n-now. Shall we go down together?”

Bea nodded. “Yes. But first… do you mind if we stop at the nursery? I promised to show the girls my gown.”

“By all means,” Meg said.

Together they went down the corridor to the nursery where the nanny, Mrs. Lovell, was busily overseeing all nine of the children. Agatha, Charlotte, Felicity, and Delphia were in their nightgowns, knelt in front of a painted wooden dollhouse, playing with their dolls and toy animals. Nicholas was seated in the corner, in his dressing gown, reading a book. A similarly clad Arthur, Edward, Aldrick, and Oscar were at the tea table, working on one of the picture puzzles that Jack had brought them.

The little dogs, Frances, Gertrude, and Wilhelmina, were there too, curled up in their respective baskets, having already put themselves to bed.

Seeing Meg and Bea, the dogs barked and the children sprang to attention.

“Mama,” Oscar said to Meg. “What are you doing here?”

“We’ve come to show you our finery before the ball begins,” Meg said.

“Is that your new dress, Miss Layton?” Agatha asked, coming forward.

“It is.” Bea spread out the lace-trimmed skirts for their perusal. “What do you think? Does it pass muster?”

“You look ever so pretty!” Charlotte said.

“Like a princess,” little Delphia added. “And you too, Auntie Meg. Can I touch your brooch?”

Meg leaned down so the child could examine the opal-and-diamond pin.

Bea had no jewelry of her own. She’d declined Hannah’s offer of a matching necklace and earrings, and Kate’s of a pair of diamond hair combs. There were limits, even to make-believe.

“Is Uncle Jack going to dance with you?” Agatha asked Bea.

“I’m sure he’d like to dance,” Bea said. “But his leg might not cooperate.”

“You’ll have plenty of other chances,” Meg assured Bea.

Bea struggled to maintain her smile. “I’m sure we will.”

Meg cocked her head. “Ah! There’s the m-music,” she said. “Miss Layton and I must hurry now.”

Bidding the children goodnight, and promising to tell them all about the ball in the morning, Bea and Meg exited the nursery and made their way down the stairs. Music floated up from the ballroom, the sounds of the village players tuning up their instruments.

“It’s very m-much a Maidenbridge affair,” Meg said as they descended the steps. “Jack is beloved by the local people. They’re eager to welcome him home—and to meet his betrothed.”

Bea inwardly quailed at the prospect. Truth be told, she would rather the villagers had not come to meet her at all. As for Jack’s parents⁠—

But it was too late to turn back.