Page 47 of The Governess’s Carnal Temptation

“The choice is yours. But let me assure you, these are your only choices. You do not have what he needs. I do.”

Lydia’s bottom lip wobbled with shock at this cruel, unprovoked assault. She did not know what to say. Every part of her wanted to fight back, tell this horrid, haughty woman that she was proud of her family’s life’s work. She was proud of her profession and that no matter how high and mighty Lady Evelyn thought she was, she was an ill-mannered wench.

Alas, Lydia said none of these things, for Mrs. Funny swiftly returned and joined them again. Lady Evelyn’s nasty grimace disappeared, and in its place was the bright smile she always showed the world. Only now, Lydia knew it was nothing but a mask.

She swallowed the lump in her throat as Lady Evelyn walked down the stairs to her now arriving carriage.

“Lydia?” Mrs. Funny asked when the lady had disappeared into her carriage, and the coachman had closed the door. “What happened? Did she say something that…” she clenched her fingers into fists, but Lydia waved her away.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all,” she said, suppressing the tears that tried to force their way to the forefront of her eyes.

“Lydia, please. You can talk to me. I can see you’re upset. That wretched woman. Why is His Grace so determined….”

Mrs. Funny’s voice hummed nearby, but it was little more than the sound of the ocean’s waves crashing to shore when one lived near the sea and was used to the sound. Lydia hardly heard it. A loud buzzing overcame her mind, and she grabbed onto the railing to steady herself as her legs shook violently.

She felt as though she could not breathe nor speak.

“I… must… retire.” She managed to choke out and hurried into the house with Mrs. Funny’s concerned voice tailing after her. She did not stop. Instead, she dashed up the staircase and down the hall as fast as possible and burst through her chamber door. She hurled herself onto her bed, and the second her hot cheek brushed against the cool sheets; tears erupted with such violence her body shook. She wasn’t sure how long she laid there, but by the time her tears had stopped flowing, the sky was grey, and rain had begun to fall, accompanying her misery in the most fitting and saddest way possible.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“It is freezing!” Charlotte declared the following week as they sat outside, surrounding a crackling fire the servants had made for them near the lake. The two were huddled around it, blankets spread out on the grass to shield them from the cold ground. They each wore their redingotes, both in red with a fluffy trim along the front, a recent gift from Nicholas to them both. In addition, Charlotte had a puffin at her side, which she now stuck her hands into.

“Do you wish to return inside?” Lydia asked, disappointed by the girl’s declaration.

She beamed at Lydia and shook her head. “No, I quite prefer it this way. Besides, the fire is still growing. I’d rather shiver than sweat.”

Lydia smiled, recalling how much Charlotte had complained when the weather first turned a few weeks ago. She’d refused to go out of doors. Meanwhile, her father had thrown himself into the lake for a leisurely swim. How different they were, father and daughter and yet so similar. Lydia rolled her shoulders, making herself focused on the moment. She did not need to think about Nicholas or his horrid wife-to-be.

This evening was about Charlotte. She’d promised to see the sky and teach her the constellations she was so familiar with after visiting Elliot Gilbert several times. She’d only been to see him once since Lady Evelyn had lobbed her unkind remarks, and for that, she was grateful. She didn’t want to think of him with that awful woman. Nor did she want to think of a future when this woman would be a part of their life forever.

“Is this one?” Charlotte asked, forcing her thoughts to focus on the task at hand.

She looked up and smiled. “It is. This constellation is called Orion.”

“I’ve heard of it! Father told me about it just a few days ago. He said when he has time, he will take me to see it. Oh, we should have asked him to join us,” Charlotte exclaimed, but disappointment dampened her enthusiasm.

“Lady Charlotte, you know your father is dining with Lady Evelyn tonight.”

Charlotte grimaced but directed her gaze at the sky again.

“I know it.” Silenced passed between them as they lost themselves in the beautiful glimmering stars sprinkling the clear sky.

“One day, I can take you to visit Mr. Gilbert’s home, and we can peruse his telescope. He already offered; his mother would like to see you too. You met her at the ball.” She glanced at Charlotte, who nodded without averting her eyes from the spectacle before her. In the distance, the façade of the manor house was lit by dozens of candles that flickered in the night, providing a lovely backdrop.

“She was pleasant. I should like to see a telescope. I always wanted one. Father said I can have one if I wish.’ She snapped her head around. “Shall I tell him yes? Would it not be so wonderful to have one? You’d not have to visit Mr. Elliot to use his all the time.”

She bristled at the ‘all the time’, surprised Charlotte perceived it as such.

“I have not gone there that often,’ she said, ignoring her statement regarding the telescope. She found it odd Nicholas would make such an offer when he’d known his daughter liked looking at the stars all these years. And he adored nights like this too. Thus, why hadn’t he thought of it before? Was it only because she had taken an interest in another gentleman who owned one? She chided herself for such foolish thoughts.

He’d made it clear. Lady Evelyn was the one he’d marry. If she allowed it, he’d perhaps make her his mistress, but Lydia would never consent to that. She’d never be a gentleman’s mistress if that was what he had in mind.

“Often enough,” Charlotte replied, her tone a little sour. The child moved and crossed her legs, her gloved hands resting in her lap. “Miss Haddington?”

“Yes, Lady Charlotte?” she replied and mirrored her pose.

“You won’t leave me, will you?” her voice hitched at the word leave, and Lydia felt a ping in her heart.