Page 34 of The Governess’s Carnal Temptation

“The ball? Not a certain young lady?” she asked and looked at Lydia, who had made her way down the stairs. “I heard this young lady has been your house guest?”

“Not a house guest. A… a governess,” he stammered. “There has been some trouble; I lost a governess and gained a new one.” He nodded his chin toward Lydia, who looked at him expectantly. A pearl of sweat appeared on his neck’s nape and rolled down his spine, making him shudder.

“Her name is Lydia Haddington,” he said, “a childhood friend of mine who is now a governess. I am pleased to report that she has made strides with Charlotte.”

Lady Evelyn puckered her lips and moved her head ever so slightly as she looked Lydia up and down.

“A governess? At a ball?? That seems highly unusual.”

Nicholas’ throat grew tighter by the second as he knew this was true.

“Charlotte wanted her here, and it is her birthday, after all.”

“I suppose so,” Lady Evelyn replied with a sigh. “Well, shall we dance? There will be music, yes?”

He nodded but looked back again, bracing himself for Lydia’s disappointed expression, but found that she had gone. His heart dropped, while at the same time, he could breathe a little easier. These contradictions were going to give him a megrim sooner or later. But for the time being, he could do nothing but play the gracious host. Thus, he proffered his arm to the woman he meant to wed and led her to the dance floor where shortly the evening’s festivities would begin.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Lydia hid behind a heavy marble pillar that rose to the vaulted ceiling. From there, she could see the ballroom, but most of all, she could see Nicholas and the woman with him.

She narrowed her eyes. Who was she? She had never seen her before. But she certainly had taken Nicholas’ attention the moment he spotted her.

A strange sense of disappointment flooded her because she could not deny that upon feeling his penetrating gaze on her as she stood at the top of the landing, Lydia had assumed that he would come and escort her down. Or at least meet her at the bottom. After all, he had given her this dress. Wouldn’t he want to see it up close? Wouldn’t he want to compliment her?

Not that she would seek his admiration. However, she knew Nicholas well enough to know that he was gracious and kind in these matters. And he knew how much she disliked balls. She had assumed that since it was his idea that she attend, he would make her feel at ease. But then that woman appeared.

Lydia's left eyelid twitched as she gazed at the tall, slender, and graceful woman. Nicholas extended his arm and led her to the dance floor. She wore a gate like a dancer and appeared to float across the floor rather than walk. Lydia's curiosity quickly turned into something far less pleasant as more than one gentleman turned his head in her direction.

Envy is a sin, she heard her mother’s voice ringing loudly, as if the dearly departed lady stood next to her, seeking to return Lydia to the proper path.

Lydia took a deep breath. Of course, her mother had been right. Envy was a sin. It was one of the things their parents always taught her and Caroline above all else. Do not envy. Do not covet. Be grateful for what you have.

Besides, who was she to judge Nicholas? He was a duke. He needed an heir to secure his line. His grandfather had no other children besides his son, who had died young. As far as Lydia knew, they were no male heirs. If Nicholas passed without issue, his entire estate, land, and title would revert to the crowd to be dished out to some other deserving gentleman.

He had to look for a wife, a lady. Lydia suddenly felt utterly ridiculous in her ball gown, though it made her feel so beautiful just moments before. She felt as though she was shrinking inside. The soft silk material burned against her skin. She wanted to get out of this dress, out of this ball. What a fool she was….

No, she could not storm out like a petulant child. Besides, she was a guest and the governess to the host’s daughter. If anything, she should seek out Charlotte. The little girl had wanted her to attend. The very least she could do was present herself. Determined, she took hold of her skirts to ensure she did not trip on them in her dancing slippers and made her way into the dining room. Two dozen or so children were running back and forth, and Charlotte was at the window, a group of six children seated all around her. The little girl was dressed in a canary, yellow gown with a big wide bow in her hair.

She looked adorable, and a bright smile lit her face. Charlotte pointed her fingers this way and that arranging her little playmates like a conductor might arrange the musicians in the orchestra.

“You are the princess,” she told one little girl with flaming red hair that reminded Lydia of her own tresses. “And you are the prince. You kiss her awake.”

A little boy trotted to his designated corner with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. Charlotte looked up, and when she spotted Lydia, she grinned broadly.

“We're doing a play,” she called. “Sleeping Beauty.”

“Very good,” Lydia called back, and a few children looked up. Some spoke, but Lydia could not hear them. However, she heard Charlotte's reply.

“No, I haven't got a mother. That is my governess, Miss Haddington. She knows all about the stars. You see her dress? My father had it made specially, but it’s a secret,” she said admiringly, making Lydia's heart leap.

Lydia nodded at her young charge, who focused her attention on the play. Lydia took a deep breath, tasting the cinnamon from one of the many desserts on her lips. Then, satisfied that Charlotte was behaving and enjoying herself, she returned to the ballroom. The orchestra played the joyful melody, and couples lined up beside the dancefloor to partake in the first dance, the minuet.

“Wine?” Stanley, one of the footmen, asked, snapping Lydia out of her reflections. She smiled at the kindly young man and took a flute from his silver platter. Taking a sip, she closed her eyes, enjoying the delightful mixture of tartness followed by a burst of sweetness.

When she opened her eyes again, she scanned the room for Nicholas but did not see him. The master of ceremonies made his way to the dancefloor, carrying a heavy ceremonial staff ordained with sparkling gemstones. He'd call the dancers to order and announce the first dance, led by the host.

Lydia had no desire to see Nicholas dance with a lady she didn't know and ducked toward the back of the room when she noted movement from the side of her eyes. She stopped, not wishing to bump into whoever crossed her path.