Page 29 of The Governess’s Carnal Temptation

“Nobody truly cares for me,” Charlotte replied. “Everyone is paid to look after me. That is why they leave when I misbehave.”

“Perhaps they come here to look after you because they’re paid,” Lydia answered gently. “But they leave because you push them away, not because they do not care. Besides, if your theory is that your former governesses did not care about you because you played pranks on them and misbehaved, what does it tell you about me? I’m still here, aren’t I?”

Charlotte glanced at Nicholas, who nodded encouragingly, utterly captivated by Lydia’s ability to draw the child in.

“It means you care?” Charlotte asked, and Lydia extended her hand.

“Very much so. Now, will you give me your hand so we can promise each other we’ll start over?”

Charlotte hesitated, unsure of herself, but after another careful look at Nicholas and a thorough examination of Lydia’s extended hand, his daughter did the one thing Nicholas had thought she never could. She took hold of Lydia and made her first step out of the darkness and into Lydia’s bright light.

Lydia peeked at Nicholas, a small smile on her lips that lit even her eyes. Nicholas’ heart thundered, and the pleasant tinge he’d felt when touching her rushed over his body. He loved her smile, always had. Always would.

Even though he knew that looking at her as he did now and feeling what he felt would likely bring him heartache in the future. Now, all he wanted was to keep looking at her and savor her beautiful heart and soul.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“But it's my birthday, Miss Haddington,” Charlotte complained and sat back, her arms crossed in front of her chest. “There is a ball in my honor. Surely you would not let me waste the day learning math when I should be planning my ball.”

Lydia smiled at the little girl. “Well, first, the ball is for the adults. The dinner party is for you. And besides, it has all already been planned.”

It was true; a celebration befitting a little princess had been in the works for the past fortnight. Nicholas, determined to make up for his failings as a father, was putting together a dinner and celebration to put even the Prince Regent's daughter to shame. The high and mighty of the area had been invited with their children to enjoy a dance at the manor. While the adults danced, the children would dine in the dining room, which had been converted into a large play area filled with toys and games. And Charlotte was eating it up.

To be fair, she'd behaved herself ever since the bee’s incident. While she was by no means an easy pupil, she studied hard, and she and Lydia were cordial with one another.

They weren't as close as Lydia wished, but that would take time; she knew this well enough. So, for the time being, she was grateful not to find assorted critters in her bed or shoes and not to be the victim of a carefully crafted assassination attempt.

Charlotte had eventually apologized for what she’d done and genuinely so. She wasn’t certain if this was the result of reflection on Charlotte's part, the blunt words of Mrs. Funny and Nicholas, or Lydia's heartfelt speech. Either way, it had worked, and whatever darkness had possessed Charlotte to do such things no longer had its claws in her.

While Charlotte remained as headstrong and opinionated as ever, a gentle side of her had come through more and more. Now that her birthday was upon them, she was jollier than ever before.

At least she had been because, for the past hour, Charlotte had done nothing but attempt to talk Lydia into letting her stop studying. Worn down, Lydia let out a heavy puff of air.

“Well, if I were to suspend the rest of our lesson, what would you do instead?”

Charlotte licked her lips, and her eyes lit up as she considered this. “I'd play with my dolls, and then I'd draw. Or draw first. Then dollies.” She nodded and then shimmied her shoulders. “So? Can I? Miss Haddington, please!”

Lydia remembered her childhood days when her parents had allowed her and Caroline to take off an entire day. They would instead take them to the Royal Menagerie or one of the many parks, followed by shaved ice or sweetmeats. She’d always adored those days but returned to her studies more excited the next day.

“Very well. It is your birthday, after all. But we are to stay here, in the classroom. The house is being prepared for the celebration, and we cannot get underfoot.”

Charlotte jumped up and down, her hair bounced, and she clapped her hands. “Yes, I will not misbehave and I shall stay here, I promise!” Charlotte hurried to the sideboard to their left and pulled out her paper and pencils before settling down at the table. Lydia shook her head, fetched her book from the table, and settled on the window seat.

Outside, servants rushed back and forth.

Lydia looked down at the workers setting up tables and chairs outside. The garden would be ready for those wishing to escape the manor and catch fresh air.

Lydia leaned back when Charlotte’s voice drifted into her thoughts.

“Will you dance tonight?”

Lydia looked around and shook her head. “I'm a governess; governesses do not attend balls, Lady Charlotte.”

She frowned and sat upright. “But I heard my father say you would attend. Besides, I’d like you to.”

Lydia smiled, pleased to hear Charlotte wanted her there. Still, she was determined not to go. Servants and employees did not attend balls for fun; they either worked or stayed in the background. At her prior posting, she'd never once attended a ball. It had never been suggested, so why should it be different here? She was certain Charlotte had misunderstood Nicholas.

“I can’t dance anyhow,” Lydia said, but Charlotte chuckled.