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While Florence was sure of her answer, the weight of Lord Gray’s cold stare made her waver. She silently pleaded with him to be a little kinder toward her. She was more than aware of the importance of her post and how her teachings would help steer Agnes in one direction or the other. Yet she craved warmth and familiarity with her employer. Florence didn’t wish to be scrutinized over a humorous comment meant to ease the mood.
“It never occurred to me that I would be thought of as an old maid before my thirtieth year,” Florence jested, unable to help herself.
The only change in Lord Gray’s expression was a slight compression of the lips.The man is humorless!
“I doubt it,” he said drily. He seemed to abandon the topic and moved along, as if her feelings didn’t matter.
Florence did her best to remain pleasant, yet she found it difficult to ignore how cheated she felt. She had only heard good things about Lord Gray before meeting him. But upon speaking with him herself, she didn’t think he was the charming man everyone had made him out to be.
He was cold, unpleasant, and seemed to lack a sense of humor. Florence questioned Agnes’ judgment then, and she wondered what the young lady saw in her uncle. Florence found it very disappointing.
Lord Gray smoothed a hand against his dark hair and cleared his throat once more.
“We will only require your services for a year, Florence, as Agnes will be married soon after her debut. Since the limited duration may be inconvenient for you, I will make sure to find you suitable new employment afterwards.”
“Agnes has explained it all to me. It is a little inconvenient, not to say disappointing to find that my time with Agnes will be so short. I was not made aware it was the case.” She didn’t wish to hop from household to household seeking a new position every five minutes, and she certainly didn’t wish to leave Agnes after so little time. Yet there was little she could do about the matter. At least Lord Gray had the decency to care about her future employment.
“I am grateful for your kind offer of help, and I accept,” Florence told him, though she was, in truth, finding his harsh disposition increasingly difficult to stomach. Her tendency to want to lighten the atmosphere between them arose again. “I must say, I admire the rare certainty which you and Agnes seem to share that she will be wed soon after her debut.”
His gaze narrowed, and he sat forward in his chair, which groaned beneath the shifting weight.
“What do you mean by that?”
Florence swept a stray hair away from her face and straightened herself under his intense gaze. Once more, her attempt to bring out the supposed ‘good company’ in Lord Gray was squashed resolutely. “I only mean to say, your expectations may not be met in such a limited time. Not all weddings can be agreed upon so soon, and perhaps—”
“What can you possibly know about marriage arrangements? You are here as her governess, under whatever unspoken circumstances, and I expect you to remember yourself,” Lord Gray growled, clearly irritated.
Florence felt the brunt of Henry’s coldness the moment he stood to his full height and took the few careful steps around his desk to stand directly before her. She felt her stomach flip with nerves at his proximity.
“My apologies, my lord,” she blurted out. “I meant no disrespect.”
Florence was torn by the inconvenient circumstance presented to her. On one hand, she was almost overcome to find him so near; it gave her ample opportunity to ogle his fine features.
Yet on the other hand, his apparent distaste for her was making her dread what was to come. She wanted her new life in the Gray Manor to be pleasant and beneficial for all involved, but the earl’s cold demeanor and bad temper seemed likely to ensure it would not be. It put Florence even more on edge as she braced herself for his next words.
Henry bent over until his face almost filled her entire view, his hands clasped behind his back. His heavy, icy stare felt merciless. The warmth in his breath fanned against Florence’s skin, and she shivered.
“This interview has not been promising, Florence. However, I cannot dismiss you here and now, not while the clock is ticking for Agnes’ education. Only a year remains for you to sharpen her skills,” Henry advised her sternly, his features devoid of kindness. “You should be very careful about not teaching my niece to be as disrespectful as you yourself are.”
The barb made its way into Florence’s heart immediately and lodged there like an arrow, though she tried her best to maintain her composure. She hadn’t meant to anger him, yet she didn’t feel the warning was warranted.
What is his issue with me?
Florence knew she only ever meant well, but the quality of her future and, therefore, her life depended on him. She truly did strive to be the best possible governess for Lady Agnes, even if she didn’t agree on marrying her away so soon. Despite Lord Gray’s unfavorable behavior, she still wished for his acceptance.
She wondered why he disliked her so when he had only just met her. She couldn’t think of any reason for it, and she hated the very idea.
With every passing second that she remained silent, his eyes only grew darker and colder. Their ruthless edge made Florence wonder if it was even worth staying at all. Could she handle whatever threats or snide remarks he might throw at her throughout the duration of her service? She wasn’t entirely sure she could.
“Have I made myself clear, Miss Murray?” he demanded at last, his face still impossibly close to hers.
Florence swallowed back the lump in her throat and tracked his eyes with her own. She willed the words to leave her lips, yet none would form on her tongue. A slight tremble shook her body despite urging herself to remain calm.
Rather than embarrass herself further by speaking, Florence simply nodded. Her hands remained clutched nervously in her lap, and she fervently wished the tortuous meeting would end. She wanted nothing more in that moment.
That dark, unforgiving stare seemed to lust for Florence’s unwavering surrender, and the notion allowed her annoyance to creep in before she could stop it.
“Good. That is all for now,” he muttered, pulling away and stalking back behind his desk once more. He gave her a dismissive wave of his hand. “Return to your quarters.”
