The Governess' Debut Page 5

  Penelope took exception to her governess’ words. She put her cup down and ran to Felicia, forcing her way onto her lap. “But you have me now, you don’t need any stupid foundling children.”

  With a watery chuckle, Felicia gave her young charge a warm squeeze. “I know, my darling. And it is not that I need those children, it is just that they have so little and they are so appreciative of everything. Perhaps when I go to visit my dear friend Melinda, she and I could go and visit them.”

  “I could go with you, Felicia,” Penelope offered, unsure if she should be jealous of her governess wanting to visit other children.

  “That is such a lovely offer, my dear, but I am not certain of the wisdom of that.” Felicia managed to pull herself together and realized the need to tread carefully. “Now let us put the matter aside for the moment and enjoy the rest of the visit with your grandmother. I think you have yet to tell her about the kittens we found in the attic.”

  Thus diverted, Penelope wriggled off her lap and returned to her grandmother with yet another story.

  The earl was regarding her steadily, so Felicia felt the urge to speak. “I apologize, my lord, I did not think how Penelope would react.”

  “No apologies are necessary, I assure you, Miss Scott. For one thing, Penelope must realize at some point that she is not the only person in the world, and for another, you are perfectly entitled to your feelings. They are rather noble feelings, at that. It might actually be good for Penelope to see the circumstances of those less fortunate than her.”

  Felicia tried to keep her face impassive, but her feelings must have been displayed because the earl paused in his musings to ask her quietly, “Do you disagree, Miss Scott?”

  “No, my lord, I wholeheartedly agree that it would be good for Penelope to be aware that her privileged circumstances are rare in this world. But I do not think the foundling children are a spectacle to be observed, and I think it would be hurtful to them to bring a privileged child into their midst. They understand and accept the charity they receive from ladies like the countess, but a child of an age with them would be another thing altogether. Thank you for thoughtfully offering that I could venture there with Penelope, but I believe it would be best if I wait until I can accompany Melinda.”

  The earl was left with the strange sensation that he had been reprimanded by his beautiful, young governess and initially bristled at the thought until he realized that she was correct; he had failed to consider the children’s feelings. Perhaps he, too, needed a lesson on appreciation of his own privileged status.

  The time had come for Felicia to take Penelope back to the nursery. She thanked the countess prettily for including her in the invitation to tea, curtsied elegantly, and then whisked the youngster back upstairs after she, too, had executed her curtsy to her grandmother.

  As they were leaving the room, Lord and Lady Astley smiled to hear Penelope chatter on about the kittens. “Please, Felicia, could we go back up to the attic to look at them once more before we go back to the schoolroom? Don’t you think we should make sure the mama cat has enough to eat? It must be a big job to look after all those babies.”

  Felicia’s tinkling laugh was the last they heard as the two girls ascended the stairs. The countess turned to her son.

  ***

  “What a delightful visit that was, Victor. I do believe our darling has turned a corner.” She paused to reflect upon her own statement before continuing. “You have not forgotten about my plans to host a dinner party here next week, have you?”

  “No, m’lady, I have not forgotten, try as I might,” he replied dryly.

  “Why would you wish to forget?” she puzzled.

  “So I would have a legitimate reason for being absent on the prescribed day,” was the droll answer.

  “Oh dear, are you truly dreading it to that degree? I suppose I should apologize for intruding, but this did used to be my home and it is ever so much more suited for the size of gathering I wish to hold.”

  “Mother, this is still your home and you are to feel free to make use of it whenever you wish. I told you that when you moved out.”

  “But I could not live here with another countess in residence,” she pointed out reasonably.

  “You are the only Countess of Standish now, Mother,” he pointed out darkly.

  “But that could change at any moment,” Lady Astley countered hopefully. “But we digress from the matter at hand. You have isolated yourself far too much over the past two years, Victor. I tried to keep my opinion to myself on the subject, but it really is time for you to return to society. You cannot be a hermit, you are the Earl of Standish.”

  “Does not being the earl afford me the privilege to be whatever I want to be?”

  “No, it does not, and well you know it. There are responsibilities that come attached to the title and you have shirked them long enough. You are well past the age of receiving a lecture from your mama so I will try to cease, but see that you are in a proper frame of mind to welcome my guests on Tuesday. They will be arriving at seven. I have already spoken with Mrs. Hill about the preparations so you need not trouble yourself, just be ready to receive at the prescribed time.”

  “Yes, Mother,” the earl answered in a chastened tone of voice that was belied by the amused twinkle in his eye.

  Secretly, his mother was pleased to see that her haughty son was finding things more amusing these days, even if it was at her own expense. She decided she had done all she could for the time being and took her leave, prepared to fight this battle again another day.

  Chapter Six

  The earl had informed Felicia that Parliament would soon be dispersing for the summer and the household would be removing to his country estate, Standish, for a couple of months. She was aquiver with a myriad of emotions over the prospect. Change had become something to fear in her experience, and she had come to enjoy the routine she and Penelope had established. But while she was enjoying exploring the city with her young charge, she was a country girl at heart and looked forward to the clear air and vast vistas that would no doubt be had at Standish.

  And then there was the earl himself. No doubt in the country he would be more accessible to his daughter and her governess. This thought filled Felicia with strange feelings of nervous energy. She was torn between longing for time spent with him and wanting to run from him whenever he turned up. It was a dilemma she pushed to the back of her mind time and again.

  Penelope was looking forward to returning to her home in the country. She was excited to show her dear Felicia all her favorite places on the estate. And playing with her dogs would be so much fun!

  Felicia had to struggle to maintain Penelope’s attention span as she kept remembering different things she wished to describe about the house, grounds, and stables on the estate.

  “And the head groom is the very best, Felicia. His name is Irish, since he’s from Ireland, and he always takes me riding whenever I feel like going.” All of a sudden she thought of a very important matter. “Oh my goodness, I forgot to ask you if you ride. You do ride, don’t you, Felicia? My last governess was actually afraid of horses, if you can imagine. But you are the very best, and I am absolutely certain that you would not be so silly as to be afraid of horses.”

  Felicia laughed with delight over her charge’s exclamations. “You are quite correct, my dear. I love horses and I do enjoy riding. I have been out of practice for some time, but I trust the stables will have some gentle, old horse for me to use, and we shall have a lovely time. But now is not the time to be thinking of that. We shall be remaining in London for at least another week, possibly two, and you really must learn a few more things before we leave. Now please, reread that last paragraph as I am quite certain you do not recall a single word of it.”

  With a sheepish grin, Penelope returned her nose to her textbook. They continued working diligently for a few moments before they were again interrupted. Mary, their maid, was at the door.

  “I’m righ
t sorry to disturb you, Miss, but his lordship is asking to see you. He said it’s right urgent and for you to come straight away. I can sit with my lady while you go downstairs.”

  Felicia was startled by the summons and gazed at the maid with a degree of dismay. Penelope was not disturbed in the least. “Hurry up, Felicia, before we perish of curiosity. The sooner you go see what he wants, the sooner you can come and tell me.”

  Rolling her eyes in amusement, Felicia arose from her seat and made her way to the door before turning back to admonish Penelope. “Make sure you mind whatever Mary tells you and try to get to the end of the page before I get back.”

  “Yes, Miss,” the student answered with sham humility.

  With a tinkle of laughter, Felicia swept from the room and ran lightly down the stairs. The closer she got to the earl’s library, the tighter her nerves became. What could the earl want to discuss with me now? I hope all is well. She worried as she stood outside his door dithering before she finally tapped lightly.

  “Enter,” he summoned, his rich voice rumbling through the solid oak door.

  Felicia hesitated another moment before slowly pushing the door open and poking her head around it.

  “Come in, please, Miss Scott. There is a rather important matter I need to discuss with you.” Seeing her wide eyes and pale face, he hastened to add, “Have no fear, I am not about to ring a peal over you. On the contrary, we are most happy with your services. I am not about to lecture you no matter what you have to say on the subject at hand.”

  Felicia relaxed marginally but still remained hovering near the door, causing the earl to laugh and beckon her further. “Come have a seat, I have a feeling you will not wish to be standing for this conversation.”

  “If you are trying to set me at my ease, my lord, you are doing a rather dismal job of it,” she muttered as she came and took a seat on the proffered chair, causing Victor to chuckle anew.

  Lord Astley leaned back in his chair and gazed at the pretty young woman before him. He was actually nervous to broach the subject, but the necessity was brought on by the note he had just received from his mother.

  “We have not really gotten to know one another very much despite the almost two months you have been in residence, have we, Miss Scott?”

  Felicia blushed rosily and stumbled for an answer. “Not terribly well, I guess not, my lord. I am not at all mysterious, though. Was there anything in particular you wished to know?” She was bewildered about where he might be going with this conversation.

  “As a matter of fact, I was wondering what sort of society you associated with in the town you grew up in. Forgive me, Miss Scott, I do not at the moment recall, what was the name of that town?”

  “Denbigh, my lord, near the county Flint.”

  “Quite right, Denbigh. Did your parents do much entertaining amongst the villagers?” Victor made every effort to curb his snobbery, but it was evident he did not think too highly of whatever socializing may have been done in Felicia’s village.

  Eyeing him askance, Felicia’s face suffused with hot color but she answered with restrained dignity. “Since my father was merely a baron, we were not the highest members of Society in our village. The Viscount of Strath has an estate in the area, and he and his wife would host some sort of an event whenever they were in residence to which my family would be invited. The village had assembly rooms in which country dances would often be held. The local squire would very often entertain, and my own parents dearly enjoyed hosting dinners or routs on occasion. I am quite certain none of these would be comparable to the entertainments on offer by your friends during the season, but if you ever wished to visit Denbigh, you would have to be a very high stickler to find fault with the hospitality available to you.”

  Victor was ashamed to feel shocked over the list she had just named. How did this gently bred female end up as governess in his house? While she was obviously not a member of the high ton, she was gentry, and as such it was not in the realm of the ridiculous for her to answer his mother’s request.

  “Thank you for your honesty, Miss Scott. I wish to impose upon your kindness for a favor for my mother.”

  “Of course, my lord,” she was quick to reply.

  “You might wish to wait to find out what she requests before agreeing,” he pointed out kindly.

  “Your mother is a dear lady and I would do whatever was in my power to accommodate her,” Felicia vowed with commendable loyalty, causing the earl to smile anew.

  “You might be aware the countess is hosting a dinner party here this evening,” he began, watching Felicia’s brow furrow in concentration. “It turns out she has received a last minute cancellation and her numbers are out. She requests your presence to even them out.”

  As he finished his explanation, Felicia’s eyes widened in shock and she began shaking her head in denial. “I now understand your question about Denbigh society, my lord, but it has been quite some time since I attended any fine function. I am a governess, my lord. It is not fitting for me to eat at your dining table,” she answered with proud dignity, getting to her feet and preparing to leave the room.

  “Please sit back down and think on the matter before you refuse. There is nothing unfitting about sharing a meal at my mother’s request. You are not a servant and you are gently born, there would be naught amiss were you to join my mother’s party.”

  “Her other guests may not agree, my lord, no matter how progressive Lady Astley might be,” she pointed out, a quaver evident in her voice.

  The earl gazed steadily at Felicia, observing the rapid rise and fall of her breath and noting her ebbing color. “I have a feeling it is not the question of your position that is causing you to demure. Tell me the truth, Miss Scott. You were born to this society, you are fit to eat at my table. Why will you not dine with me?” As he spoke, his own convictions on the subject grew and he was prepared to insist on the matter.

  Felicia looked at the earl while tears gathered on her eyelashes. She willed them not to fall but was at a loss as to how to answer him. Once in her life it would have been a dream come true to be invited to dine with the likes of the Earl of Standish. Now she was his governess and her dreams were much simpler. Having a roof over her head and regular meals was an answer to her prayers. She did not think it wise to alter the state of her aspirations.

  But the crux of the matter was, “I have nothing to wear, my lord,” she murmured shyly as he shouted with laughter.

  “Despite being an absolutely perfect governess, at your heart you are the same as every female—it comes down to the perfect gown.”

  Felicia blushed and shot him a disgruntled look.

  “If that is truly your concern, then we have no problem. I have yet to rid the house of my wife’s abundance of gowns. You are of a size with her if memory serves me accurately. Mrs. Hill could show them to you, and you are welcome to take your pick of whichever suits your fancy.”

  “Oh no, my lord, I cannot do that,” she protested weakly, although the very feminine side of her longed to dress up and sit with wellborn adults for an evening.

  “Sure you can, and you must if we are not to disappoint the countess,” he cajoled bracingly, shamelessly using the one piece of leverage he knew he held.

  Felicia continued to regard him steadily for a number of moments, visibly weighing all her options and struggling to make a sound decision.

  Finally she concluded, “Very well, my lord, if you are sure it is acceptable.” She paused for a moment then smiled sweetly, “Thank you for your kind invitation and offer of the use of a gown. What time should I be ready? I have to make sure Penelope is set for the evening. She might be distressed over the change to her routine.”

  “She should be fine, but if it would make things easier for you, I could have a talk with her,” the earl offered kindly.

  Felicia grinned good-naturedly in response. “I should be able to manage, my lord, thank you.”

  The earl pulled the cord to summon t
he housekeeper before he thought to answer her question. “My mother’s guests are due to begin arriving at seven o’clock. Do you think you can manage to be ready by then?” he asked rather dubiously, remembering how long it would take his wife to prepare for evening events.

  “It should be easy if your assessment of size is correct and no alterations are needed,” Felicia answered steadily, rising to her feet upon the housekeeper’s entrance.

  “Mrs. Hill, please show Miss Scott to the room housing Lady Astley’s gowns. The countess has requested Miss Scott’s attendance at our dinner party this evening.”

  Mrs. Hill grinned with delight but merely dropped a quick curtsy and a polite, “Yes, my lord,” before exiting the room with Felicia in tow.

  ***

  Once they were out of the earl’s earshot, Mrs. Hill turned to Felicia with glee. “How very exciting, Miss. It will be so nice to see someone enjoying m’lady’s gowns. She so loved to dress up in her finery and continued to buy new ones, even when she was too sick to wear them anywhere. Hurry along, deary, I can’t wait to show you.”

  Felicia couldn’t help laughing over the other woman’s excitement. Luckily, it was contagious and she soon felt her nerves lessening and her own excitement over the evening rising. As they climbed the stairs, she thought of something. “Pardon me, Mrs. Hill. Would you mind terribly waiting for me for a quick moment? I was thinking Penelope would enjoy helping us pick what I should wear this evening since they are her mother’s gowns.”

  “What a lovely idea, my dear. No, I don’t mind waiting a’tall. You hurry upstairs and find the wee one. I’ll just wait here for you to return.”

  Felicia dashed up the stairs and returned momentarily with Penelope and Mary hurrying along behind her.

  “Oh Miss, thanks ever so for lettin’ me join in the fun,” the young maid, too, was excited over the prospect. “If you’d like, I could help you with your hair if you don’t have a hand for it. Me sisters and I would always practice on each other. If you don’t mind me sayin’ so, I was right good at it.”