Page 46 of The Governess’s Carnal Temptation

“No, not at all!” He spoke a little too eagerly, but he wanted to be alone. No, he wanted to be with Lydia, but solitude was the next best option. He rose and offered his arm to Lady Evelyn, who got up and smoothed her dress with her free hand.

“I shall summon Mrs. Funny. She’ll have your carriage brought around.”

He pulled the long rope to alert Mrs. Funny downstairs that she was needed. Only a few moments passed, and the woman appeared.

“Lady Evelyn is leaving us for the night. Please ensure her carriage is brought around and accompany her.”

Mrs. Funny pursed her lips and curtsied in agreement but said nothing further. Instead, she stepped aside to let Lady Evelyn pass. He kissed her hand, but as he did so, he caught his trusted housekeeper shaking her head, and then, she rolled her eyes behind Lady Evelyn’s back. It was shocking, especially compared to Mrs. Funny’s warm-hearted relationship with Lydia.

He’d saw how the servants glanced at Lady Evelyn whenever they thought he didn’t notice. How odd it was that in all the world, she was admired and respected, yet in his home, she was barely tolerated. He escorted them as far as the front door and watched as they left, a sense of relief washing over him as he watched her depart.

* * *

The sun had gone down, but a hint of crimson clung to the sky, unwilling to let go yet. Lydia smiled as she saw it and took a deep breath of the evening air. It was crisp now as the seasons moved from fall to winter. She stuffed her hand into her redingote’s pockets and walked on. The distance between Elliot Gilbert’s home and Nicholas’s was only half an hour by foot, and she’d made the trek several times over the past two weeks. Nothing untoward had happened between her and Elliot, though he had made it clear he was interested in her.

She cared enough about him to tell Caroline the latest in her many letters over the past few weeks, and her sister showed herself highly delighted at the prospect of Lydia finding a match. She’d not corrected her, for she knew Caroline needed something to bring her happiness. But, unfortunately, their father’s health had worsened, although not unexpected. His gout often caused him more pain in the colder months, and his melancholy increased in keeping with the sun’s lessening hours.

The truth was, however, that she did not have any true affection for the young man. He was lovely; together, they’d worked on his telescope and admired the stars, always accompanied by a servant, but it wasn’t the same. He longed for Nicholas’ company each time she was with Elliot. Thus, her meetings with him always left her sadder because she knew this was the best she could hope for; a life with a man she did not love. After all, the one she did had chosen status over feelings. She carried no resentment, for she had grown to love Lady Charlotte and wanted the best for her, as did he.

Lydia paused when the driveway came into view. The now familiar stately carriage belonging to Lady Evelyn’s father rumbled down the path from the stable yard where carriages were parked while visits commenced. It was early for her to be leaving. Usually, she stayed until late. Not that she paid much attention to her. It was easier to ignore her presence in Nicholas’ life. For the time being, it was doable as she focused on Charlotte. And when the girl was asleep or not interested in the company, she spent time with Mrs. Funny or wrote letters to Caroline.

Soon, she knew she could not keep this up. He’d marry her. And then? Lydia closed her eyes and walked on. She headed for the front door. She climbed the steps, but before she could push the door handle, the heavy oak door opened, and Mrs. Funny stepped out, holding the door for Lady Evelyn.

Lydia stopped as if struck by lightning. Lady Evelyn was as dazzling as always. She wanted to run away, but instead, she curtsied and flashed a fake smile.

“Lady Evelyn, good evening,” she said and rose.

“Miss Haddington. I hadn’t expected to see you using the front door. The help usually uses the back door.” Her tone was curt, and it was quite clear she thought Lydia’s usage of the entrance was meant for those higher in station.

“His Grace encourages my using the front door, as I am a governess, and pass through it with Lady Charlotte with some frequency,” she replied with a smile.

“Indeed,” Mrs. Funny added. “His Grace quite prefers it.”

“Ah well, I am fortunate as I do not usually get to see you. A shame really given how important you are to Lady Charlotte. And His Grace.”

Lydia shifted her weight from one side to the other, unsure what to do or say about this. She hardly saw the woman – not that she minded – and when they crossed paths, Lady Evelyn ignored her.

“His Grace values his daughter’s education,” she said simply.

Lady Evelyn shrugged and glanced at her carriage, which had come to a halt a little farther away than it ought. “Mrs. Funny, please see to my carriage. I’d rather not walk in these shoes.”

“Right away, my lady,” Mrs. Funny exclaimed and hurried down the walkway, her footsteps crunching along the gravel until they faded, leaving only the shallow breathing of the two women.

“Well,” Lydia said and made for the door when Lady Evelyn unexpectedly slid over, blocking her. Lydia stopped, confused as to the lady’s intentions.

“Miss Haddington, do not think I do not understand your intentions in coming here. I’ve made inquiries into your character,” she snarled in a low tone. Lydia pulled her shoulders back as her lips parted in shock.

“My character? And pray, what have you discovered?” she asked in a tone more biting than was proper when addressing a lady.

“I know you’re from a questionable background, poor, and forced to work.” She said the word work as if it gave her an upset stomach. “His Grace might have been forced to live such a life due to his grandfather’s ill-advised decision to put his mother out, but he is a duke, make no mistake about it. His days laboring for a living in a dirty little teashop are over, and no matter what you do, you will not draw him back into your clutches.”

“I assure you, I….”

“Ah! I will not have you interrupt me when I am speaking. You might have forgotten your place, so let me do you a kindness and remind you. You are an employee charged with caring for a child. That is all. You provide a service, and soon this service will no longer be needed, and you will return from whence you came.” She smiled sweetly at Lydia. “You can do so with a good reference from a lady respected by all the ton or disgraced like the last time. You look surprised, Miss Haddington. You think I do not have my sources? Yes, I know you were let go due to your inadequacy.”

“That is not true,” she said, but in so meek a way, she sounded already defeated.

“Faith, but it is. You see,” Lady Evelyn placed a hand on Lydia’s arm. She recoiled at her touch, and her stomach clenched. “It matters little what you say. Your former employers have made it quite clear you were a poor governess and taught your charge things that were improper and failed to teach her the things you were hired to do. With that reputation attached to your name, you’ll never work again.” She shrugged and smiled sweetly at her. “That is unless you have a stellar reference to overcome your prior troubles. As I said, I can give that to you. I can help you find a lovely placement. Or I can let it be known your prior employers were quite right, and you are useless as a governess. Which, between the two of us, you are.” She withdrew her hand and adjusted her gloves as she shrugged.