A Most Unusual Governess (8 page)

Sarah swallowed. Her feelings for Lord Randall should have been simple, she should have been nothing but his niece's governess, and yet the relationship that was growing between them was becoming far more complicated than that, and she wondered where it would end. Not in happiness, that was for sure. A governess could not become entangled with an earl. It led to nothing but degradation and despair.

*We are agreed, then,' he said, rousing her from her thoughts. William will join us for the boating afternoon. Can you make sure he knows what is expected of him?'

Sarah picked up her battered bonnet. HI make sure both boys are fully prepared,' she said as she stood up.

You have an uncanny knack of getting your own way where the children are concerned. I don't remember saying that Peter could join us.'

He had risen, too, and she had to look up to him.

1 have an uncanny way of getting my own way when I am right,' she smiled.

His black eyes lit with a gleam of humour. I'm surprised that you don't make a plea for Lucy to join us.'

Sarah swung her bonnet by the ribbons, thinking. 1 think, you know, I shall. An afternoon in a boat will be enjoyable for her. And it will do her good to spend some time with you.'

Although it was not her place to openly criticise Lord Randall for spending so little time with the children, she felt she ought to do all in her power to encourage him to do so.

Very well,' he agreed. 'As you will be there to keep an eye on her, I see no reason why she shouldn't join us.'

'I?' Sarah was startled.

You don't think I'm going to keep an eye on the children myself? You are their governess. Of course you will be there.'

'But surely the boys' tutors? Mr Haversage, perhaps —'

'Mr Haversage's presence will not be required. Yours, however, will.' He smiled as he saw her expression change. You look as though I have just suggested you should wrestle a bull!' Despite the fact that she was outspoken and never remembered her place, despite the fact that she told him what he could and could not do, despite the fact that she constantly challenged him, he found that, however much he wanted to be, he could not be distant with her. And he could not stop his thoughts from wandering down wholly inappropriate channels, and wondering what it would be like to take her in his arms and kiss her.

He tried to think of Miss Leatherhead, the suitable woman to whom he intended to propose, as an antidote to these feelings, but somehow he found it difficult to call her to mind.

'I'm not sure that what you're asking me to do isn't worse,' she said; fortunately, for her own peace of mind, unaware of this thoughts. It's a long time since
I’ve
been in company, and my temper... '

She trailed off.

Yes?' he enquired innocently. A humorous quirk lurked at the corner of his mouth.

'Sometimes I have trouble curbing my tongue!'

He laughed. 1 know! But youll join us all the same, Miss Davenport.' Was there a hint of irony in his next comment, the slightest hint that he was laughing at himself? Or had she imagined it? she

later wondered. Because his final words were. That is my command!'

* * * *

Sarah's trip to the village had not been put off by her conversation with Lord Randall, it had simply been delayed. After returning to the house for luncheon and then collecting her gloves and reticule she set out for the village. The walk was very pleasant, the road being cool as it ran under overhanging trees for much of the way. She decided not to take the short cut, reserving it for the return journey so that she would have some variety in her walk.

At last the road led into the village. It was a small hamlet, consisting of a few shops, a vicarage, a blacksmith's and a church. The buildings were arranged round a small pond and a village green, and there in the middle of the pond was Lucy's duck. After saying hello to George, Sarah made her way to the milliner's. Now that she was to join the boating party she realised just how shabby her bonnet was, and she was looking forward to spending her wages on a new one. When worn with her new sarsenet dress, a new head-dress should make sure she was at least respectable at the gaiety.

'I'd like a new bonnet,' she said to the homely woman behind the counter, taking off her old one as she spoke.

Mrs Bridges recognised Sarah as a lady at once. She made her excuses and hurried into the back of the shop to fetch Miss Chester.

'Can I help you?' asked Miss Chester, emerging from the back room.

'I hope so!' said Sarah. 1 need a new bonnet —'

'Say no more,' said Miss Chester. She, too, was delighted to have a lady to attend to. 1 have the very thing.'

In fact, she had a dozen or more "very things", and Sarah spent an enjoyable half hour trying on the latest bonnets. She dismissed a poke bonnet decorated with feathers and artificial flowers as being too impractical, and an Oldenberg bonnet - "as recommended in the Ladies' Monthly Museum" Miss Chester told her — as being too large. But a straw hat caught her eye. It was attractive yet practical, and would do a good job of keeping the sun off her face. It also had the advantage of being trimmed with a wide green ribbon which would complement the green of her new sarsenet gown, and she was feminine enough to be pleased with the fact that it matched the sea-green of her eyes.

The very thing,' said Miss Chester as she made her choice. 'Straw hats are very fashionable at the moment, and if you should choose to change the ribbon at any time we have a large selection in stock.'

Sarah hesitated. Although her resources were small, the idea of the ribbon was tempting. She would then be able to match the hat to each gown she wore.

She succumbed to the temptation. Miss Chester fetched the box of ribbon and Sarah chose a primrose yellow to go with her muslin and a turquoise to go with her spotted gown.

Though why I am taking all this trouble I really don't know, when I am nothing but a humble governess, she thought, ignoring the idea that it could have anything to do with Lord Randall. He was, after all, nothing but her employer, and it was unlikely he would even notice what colour ribbon she wore in her hat.

Thank you for your custom,' said Miss Chester, handing Sarah her purchases. 1 hope to see you again.'

Standing outside the shop a few minutes later, Sarah was glad that she knew of the short cut. Carrying her hat box in one hand and the rest of her other small purchases in the other, she soon found the point where the footpath began.

She climbed over the stile and then hesitated. Just for a moment she had had the feeling that someone was watching her. She looked round but there was no one there. So dismissing the thought, she went on her way.

Once again Lord Randall had proved himself to be a surprising man, she thought. He had revealed a concern for her welfare by telling her of the short cut that she would not have expected, and it was with this happy thought in mind that she walked back to the Grange.

When she had recovered from her initial surprise at being told she would be expected to join the boating party, Sarah found herself looking forward to it. She could not remember the last time she had been to a social gathering, although she had frequently gone to parties and balls when she had lived in Derbyshire. Despite her mother's illness her father had always made sure she had time to enjoy herself, and had taken charge whenever Sarah was invited elsewhere. And now what a joy it was to be going into company again.

The weather, after a spell of rain the day before, did not disappoint them. The morning dawned bright, and by the afternoon it had set fair. Sarah's green sarsenet was newly washed and pressed, and her green kid slippers, a remnant of more prosperous days, were newly cleaned. She dressed carefully and then, putting on her straw hat, she went to collect the children.

The boys were in their study, eagerly waiting for her.

'I thought two o'clock would never come,' declared Peter as the three of them went to fetch Lucy.

'Me too,' said William.

'I thought it was certain to rain,' said Lucy as they went down to the terrace, where the guests were to assemble.

Lord Randall was already there, looking casual and relaxed. He was dressed in nankeen breeches, with snowy linen and a light coat, perfect for a summer's day. He turned and smiled when Sarah and the children stepped out onto the terrace.

Dominic, too, was already there, and the Reverend Mr Walker soon arrived.

'Oh! What a splendid idea! Splendid! So kind! So thoughtful!' he declared as he introduced himself to Lord Randall. 1 was only saying to mother this morning, my lord, what a splendid idea it is. And how kind, how noble, of you to invite a humble clergyman! I am truly overwhelmed.'

Mr Walker's rotund face, bedewed with perspiration, was a picture of gratification.

'Not at all,' murmured James, hastily turning away as he caught Sarah's eye. The clergyman was undeniably comical, and he did not want to give way to his feelings of mirth.

Sarah, feeling as tempted to laugh as he was, took the children to examine an urn of flowers at the other end of the terrace until the rest of the guests arrived. Mr and Miss Wilberforce soon followed Mr Walker, Mr Wilberforce being a vague, thin gentleman with a wisp of thinning grey hair, who was completely dominated by his battle-axe of a sister. With her ramrod back and her glinting eye, Miss Wilberforce evidently wore the trousers in their household. Mr Masterson was the last to arrive. He was a pleasant gentleman, courteous and polite; the sort of man any hostess would rate as an addition to her party. He was still young enough to be considered eligible, but not so young that he might be liable to drink too much or be tempted to make a row.

'And may I present Miss Davenport said James, 'and her charges, William, Peter and Lucy.'

Sarah was both surprised and touched by his tact. By introducing her in her own right he had set the tone for the afternoon, and made it clear that she was to be treated like any other guest.

Once everyone had arrived, they walked down to the lake.

The Watermead lake lay a good ten minute walk from the house, and was large enough to provide an hour's walk all round. Water lilies floated on the blue-green surface, and tall reeds grew round the banks. To one side was a landing stage, and it was towards this that Lord Randall now led his party. Two boats were tied up, ready to take the guests on a trip across the water.

The first boat was to contain Sarah, Mr Walker, Miss Wilberforce and Mr Masterson, whilst the second was to contain James, Dominic, Mr Wilberforce and the children. This had pleased and delighted Sarah. It would do Lord Randall good to spend time with the children, and besides, she would find the afternoon much easier if she was not in too close proximity with him.

Who ever would have thought it?' said Mr Walker as he sat down in the rowing boat, his portly figure creaking as it moved, giving evidence of the corsets he wore beneath his black clothes. He settled himself across from Sarah and next to Miss Wilberforce. 'I'm sure I'd no more idea of being invited to such an illustrious gathering, with such agreeable company, than I had of being taken to the moon! My dear mother - who is so sorry she could not be present on account of her rheumatism - said to me only the other day, '"Cedric. This is a signal honour."' His voice took on a grave and serious tone, as if to impress on his listeners how sensible he was of the honour conveyed by the invitation. '"It is the greatest honour ever to befall our family," she said. "You must make sure you wear your flannel vest."'

At this mention of his undergarments, which perhaps accounted in part for his rotund figure as well as his heavy perspiration, Miss Wilberforce pursed her lips and unfurled her parasol with a great show of displeasure. She opened and closed it several times before finally holding it rigidly above her iron-grey head. She then turned away from the well-meaning clergyman and ostentatiously proceeded to admire the view.

The boat pulled away from the shore. It was rowed by two strong oarsmen who worked as labourers on the estate. Behind it the other boat, into which Lord Randall was helping the children, was waiting for Dominic and Mr Wilberforce to sit down before it followed the first.

You will join me, I'm sure,' said the Reverend Mr Walker to his companions, undeterred by the fact that Miss Wilberforce had turned her back on him, \vhen I say what a fine man our host is proving himself to be.'

'Lord Randall is a gentleman,' said Miss Wilberforce without, however, turning round.

'Indeed he is, dear lady! Indeed he is. A perfect gentleman. I'm sure I agree.'

Sitting opposite them in the pleasure boat, Sarah was forced to smile. The Reverend Mr Walker was trying so hard to please, and Miss Wilberforce - an ageing spinster -was determined he should not succeed. Taking pity on him Sarah asked, How long have you been in this part of Kent, Mr Walker? I understand you've only just arrived.'

The Reverend Mr Walker turned to her gratefully as the boat sculled over the water. He began to tell her all about the mingled worries and delights that filled his new life and Sarah listened attentively, making him feel more comfortable than he had done all afternoon. For, although the invitation to Watermead Grange had been a feather in his cap, he had to admit that he had been rather out of his depth so far.