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The way she looked at Mary conveyed that she was suggesting, more than simply complimenting, Lord Hanbrooke, but Mary could not allow her thoughts to wander to the place Miss Anne wanted. She simply had to nod and smile. There was no reason to incite anything more.
But, alas, Miss Anne sighed, and her expression shifted.
“Very well, I must tell you something more about him,” Miss Anne said.
Mary was curious, sensing that her governess had been hoping to get a reaction from Mary and then, upon not reaching one, had chosen to tell her the bad news.
“What is it? Why are you acting like this?” Mary asked.
“I heard your stepmother speaking about him. It would seem as though she has a…a plan for him. I think we must do whatever we are able in order to help you,” Miss Anne said.
Mary was still confused, not understanding what Miss Anne meant. Of course, her stepmother had a plan. But what of it? What did it mean for Mary?
“To help me?” she asked.
“Yes, of course! I wish to help you, Mary. Truly. I wish to see to it that you have every wonderful thing you deserve and that your stepmother does not win this battle that she thinks belongs to her and to her daughter,” she said.
Mary looked away, uncomfortable. She was embarrassed that Miss Anne was even speaking about it, but she wanted to know more. She wanted to know if she might have someone by her side she didn’t even realise.
“I have seen how you are treated, Mary. Things changed after your father married Lady Rachel and I am not ignorant to that. You seem to need an ally. Your future is also important. It is not only Lady Charlotte who must make a way for herself,” she said.
“You need someone by your side and I wish to be that woman—if you will consent.”
Mary was grateful to have her governess acknowledge the struggles she had been through. Still, she didn’t know what all this had to do with Lord Hanbrooke. It made little sense that Miss Anne would be fighting on Mary’s behalf in that regard.
“I am grateful that you care to help me, but why are you so passionate about the Duke?” Mary asked.
Miss Anne sighed and shook her head.
“I am not sure if you simply wish to play the fool or if you truly do not understand, but you are a smart young woman. You must know what I mean, Mary. You need to find a gentleman you care for. Perhaps that is Lord Hanbrooke, perhaps it is not. Regardless, I will do everything I am able to assist you. And I will do what I can to gain you time. That is what you need most.
“You need time to find out if you like him enough to pursue a match. And if not, very well—we shall find you another gentleman. But if you allow me to help you, we will ensure that your stepmother and Lady Charlotte are not able to push for a quick marriage as I expect Lady Rachel desires,” she promised.
Mary could not express her gratitude. She wasn’t sure what to say, but she knew that she needed Miss Anne in that moment, more than ever before.
“Thank you, Miss Anne. You are so kind. I do not know what I would do without you by my side,” she confessed.
“I know, my dear. You are not weak, but you are a young woman who does as she is told. Unfortunately, there are those who do not see that your obedience is a strength and that it is only one of many.
We shall do whatever we are able to ensure that you have the chance you are hoping for. If it seems that things are not going well with the Duke, if you do not care for him after all, there is nothing that will be a problem.
“But, if you do care for him, I know that you will find the necessary strength to overcome whatever it is that your stepmother and her daughter insist upon. After all, I meant what I said,” Miss Anne told her.
“Which part?” Mary teased. “You said quite a lot of things.”
Miss Anne smiled and reached out to squeeze her arm once more. “I meant it all, Mary. You matter.”
