The Redemption of the Puzzling Governess: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance

by Fanny Finch

  No, it was best that he kept his feelings for her private for now.

  But the Baron Woldorf gave him a knowing look, as if reading his thoughts. Again, he felt a sense of unease. Maybe the Baron had already determined that the Earl had an affection for her. Maybe he was less concerned with Miss Caulfield and more concerned with him.

  “And what of you?” he asked, changing the subject. “Has any young lady crossed your path of late?”

  “I had one cross a very long time ago. But she was stolen from me. And no lady since has been able to replace her. That has been my lot in life,” the Baron said as if his words were meant to convey a wealth of information.

  “Oh dear. Stolen from you? Why, the man must have been an utter fool,” the Earl said in anger.

  “He was. And still is. But I shall have my way with him. Not that I am a vengeance seeker, but I am wiser and more intelligent than he. A man like that will fall for anything,” the Baron said.

  “Well I cannot imagine what he must have been thinking to betray you so deeply. And I do believe with all my heart that the young woman will live with regret,” the Earl said.

  “It was not her choosing…” the Baron replied.

  “Then I suppose she cannot be at fault,” the Earl noted.

  “She was not. But she suffered the consequences of others. So yes, I shall ensure that the man responsible is forced to face what he did. I simply have to be careful in how I go about it,” the Baron said, a satisfied look on his face.

  “Yes, revenge can be nasty business. Best that you think it through,” the Earl replied.

  He was the last man in the world to consider revenge. To the Earl, it was a foolish act and the behavior of a madman. He would never try to seek revenge as a means of getting back at someone who had wronged him.

  Rather, his problem was that he was too trusting. People often told him this, but he still struggled to see it or believe it. Just because he cared for others and tried to be kind did not make him a fool, did it?

  The Earl was glad to see that his friend was supporting him. He only wished he could do a better job of supporting the Baron in return. He tried to consider if he knew any young women of station for a baron. He remembered a few, but none who were beautiful or genteel enough to win over the affections of someone like the Baron Woldorf.

  “I thank you for listening to my concerns,” the Baron said, standing as if to leave.

  “And thank you for being so good as to bring them to my attention. While I do feel confident in my governess, I am grateful to have a friend who cares so deeply and wished nothing but the best for me,” the Earl said with gratitude.

  “It is my pleasure. Trust me,” the Baron remarked.

  The Earl saw that the Baron was clenching his hat with great intensity, turning his knuckles white. He could not fathom what tension he had missed to cause this, but did not bother to ask for clarification. Perhaps the Baron had simply held on to the hat tightly. No reason to worry that it was anything more.

  As the Baron left, the Earl sat back in his seat, content that he was cared for by many.

  Chapter 21

  There had been no relief from all of Delia’s concerns. They had not been out again and she felt quite certain that this had been the decision of the Earl as a means of preventing her from having to handle society again.

  But Delia had other plans. She knew that she had spent a good deal of time at the Earl’s home and she could finally feel free to take the leave that she truly desired.

  Making her way to his study, Delia felt anxious. She knocked lightly and he called for her to enter.

  “Ah, Miss Caulfield!” he greeted with enthusiasm.

  “My lord. Thank you for seeing me,” she said.

  “Why shouldn’t I see you? Now, please, do come in and have a seat. What can I do for you?” he asked in earnest.

  Delia was hesitant still. She knew that she had earned this opportunity, but in her heart, the reasons were deeper than those she wished to share. Would the Earl understand her? Would he accept this request?

  “Well, my lord, I understand that I have only been here a matter of months, but you see, my sister has just given birth. I should very much appreciate the opportunity to go and visit her, and to see her child,” Delia explained.

  “I see. And you wish to go and visit her?” the Earl asked.

  “Indeed, my lord. If you should allow it,” she replied.

  “Where is your sister at?” he inquired.

  “Near Cambridge, my lord,” Delia told him, hoping she could remain vague despite his questions.

  “I see. And how long do you wish to be gone for?” he asked.

  “No more than two weeks, my lord. But only if you will allow me to be away for that length of time,” she told him.

  “Yes, it is a period in which I would need to find someone who can care for my daughter,” he said.

  “If I may be so bold, my lord, I could recommend Miss Amy for the job. She does not know French and I understand that her learning is not finished, but she is very clever and could do the job for a short time. With English reading and comportment, I have no doubt that she would exceed your expectations,” Delia suggested.

  “Miss Amy?” he repeated.

  “Yes, my lord. If you are comfortable with it. I have certainly seen that she would do well as more than a mere maid. She is rather intelligent and she nearly reached the end of her own education before having to find work,” Delia informed him.

  “I see…” he said, thinking through it.

  “And I should absolutely return within two weeks,” Delia reiterated in a rush to convince him.

  “Yes, yes. Well then, I am certainly inclined to grant you the leave based upon the work I have seen from you. After all, you have been an excellent source of help in the home. If you are confident that Miss Amy can replace you for the short time, then I am glad to give you this time,” he answered her.

  Delia saw a resolve in his face. It was evident that he did not want her to go, but knew he had to. She wondered at this expression. Was it possible that he truly enjoyed her presence and her company? Was it possible that he should prefer to stay at all times?

  It was going to be difficult for Delia to leave, even for the short time. But that was, perhaps, the very reason she knew she must leave. She cared too deeply for her employer. Remaining here always was not going to help her.

  She needed to get away from his presence and also the rumors and gossip from within the house. She needed to be able to go out without feeling the shame of one who was considered a hussy as the woman had called her.

  If she left for a time, the chances were greater that she might get a bit of rest. Not only that, but with all of the feelings that she seemed unable to deny any longer, Delia needed a season away from the Earl. It seemed to be her only hope.

  “Thank you, my lord,” she said in reply.

  “When shall you leave?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow. I should like to inform Miss Grace today and also speak with A-with Miss Amy. I will write to my sister as well. She was aware that I would ask but I will inform her that I am coming presently,” she told him.

  “Very well. I think you know what is best for you and I know that you have done very well by my daughter, so I hope that you enjoy your time,” he said, almost as if trying to convince himself that this was a good idea.

  “But you will come back to us, will you not?” he asked then.

  Delia looked at him with a faint smile.

  “Of course, my lord. I shall return as promised. And if you should like for me to bring anything from Cambridge, I am happy to do so,” she added with a laugh.

  “I only wish for you to return with my governess in good spirits and well-rested ease. Although, I daresay I think it would be delightful for my daughter if you return with some sweets,” he added, reaching into a drawer in his desk.

  The Earl pulled out a note of money and Delia waited for him to hand it off to her.
<
br />   “Oh, my lord, you wish for me to bring her a great deal of sweets?” she asked, seeing what a large sum it was.

  “I wish for you to bring her back a small number of sweets. I should like for you to use the rest to get something for yourself and perhaps your sister,” he replied.

  “It is too much, my lord,” she said uncomfortably, unsure why he would give her this sum.

  “Please, Miss Caulfield. It would give me great pleasure if you should take the money and do as you please with it. I should be honored to know that you were able to enjoy yourself more as a result of it,” he said to her.

  Delia nodded and thanked him once more, knowing that it was appropriate for her to now leave. She had remained in his study for a length of time and the maids and other employees might use it as an opportunity to speak against her.

  “Well, good day to you, my lord,” Delia said, turning to leave.

  “Good day to you, Miss Caulfield,” he replied gently.

  When she closed the door behind her, Delia leaned against the wall for a moment just outside the study. She knew she could not linger for long, but she had sensed something from the Earl. A sense of not wanting her to leave. It was evident in his expressions and the carefully calculated words he used.

  Delia knew she ought not to get her hopes up about these things. He probably just didn't want her to leave Miss Grace behind to the care of another. And yet, there was something in his tone that told her it wasn’t Grace he was worried about at all.

  Excited to see Thea and her nephew, Edward, Delia began to pack her things before finding Amy and Miss Grace.

  “So, Miss Grace, you must be very kind to Miss Amy while I am gone. Do you understand?” she asked, instructing the child.

  “Yes, Miss Caulfield. But…” Grace began.

  “Yes, what is it?” Delia asked.

  “Are you going to come back? Or will you go away forever like mummy did?” Grace asked.

  Delia’s heart broke then. She ought to have remembered that the child had faced intense and deep loss. Of course she might feel abandoned by Delia’s departure. It was only natural that she should be concerned that her governess would not return to her in due time.

  “My dear, Miss Grace, I shall come back for you. I promise you that I shall do all within my own power. I’ll not be gone long. If the Lord wills it, I shall return. And if he does not, we must trust him anyway,” Delia said.

  Of course she wanted to promise the child that she would come back, but she also worried that Grace might be angry should something happen to her. Delia didn’t want to be blamed for unforeseen circumstances.

  She could not bear that on top of everything else.

  Amy was delighted to hear that for two weeks she would act in the capacity of governess rather than maid. Delia knew that she had desperately wished she could have finished her schooling, but family circumstances did not allow it.

  Still, this was an ideal opportunity for her and Delia was thankful that the Earl had agreed to it despite Amy’s lack of experience.

  The following morning, when Delia had all of her things together, packed and ready to go, she felt an intense urge to change her mind. She had to say goodbye to Miss Grace and that was excruciatingly difficult.

  The child looked up at her with eyes that looked as if they had been betrayed.

  “I shall come back very soon,” Delia promised again.

  Grace shunned her by looking away, but Delia saw the quiver in the child’s chin. She was trying not to cry.

  Leaving her was entirely too painful. She had grown to love the child as if she were her own daughter. And while Delia knew that this was not the behavior or mindset that was appropriate for her to have, she simply couldn’t help it.

  “My dear, I know you are angry with me now. But I will return soon,” she said, hugging the stiff body of Grace who did not respond.

  She then hugged Amy as well who wished her luck and whispered her gratitude in Delia’s ear. It was clear that she would do an excellent job taking care of the child.

  With a more professional approach, Delia gave a quick curtsey to the Earl.

  “My lord, thank you again. I shall return presently. My sister will be grateful as well that you have given me this opportunity,” she said.

  The Earl of Dulshire opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. His expression looked pained somehow. He cleared his throat and finally managed to reply to her.

  “Yes. I do hope you enjoy your time. Please pass along my regards to your sister. She will most assuredly be glad to have you with her,” he said, trying to maintain his composure.

  Leaving Grace was difficult, but Delia could not deny that leaving the Earl was every bit as hard. She found it nearly impossible to tear herself away from him.

  She walked to the coach, which had already been loaded with her small bag, and the coachman opened the door for her.

  Delia turned around once more to see those who stood at the door to see her off.

  Her eyes locked with those deep blue eyes of the Earl of Dulshire. He would not release her from his gaze and she wanted to turn back, to abandon all of her plans and to remain at the house with him. The pull was impossible to ignore.

  She wished she could stay with him now. What was more, however, was the sense that he, too, wished for her to remain. There was little doubt that he would have her stay if he could. And this only made it more difficult for Delia.

  But alas, she heaved her body into the coach with the only bit of strength that remained within her. Delia settled into her seat and the coachman closed the door.

  She was leaving, she was finally on her way to see Thea. And she was heartbroken for leaving the man she had come to care for so deeply.

  As the coach began to move, and Delia knew that they were really leaving, all of her emotions came crashing down on her.

  She wished she could have stayed.

  Chapter 22

  Sitting alone in his study, the Earl of Dulshire was distracted. He had business to attend to. He had plans for that evening and ought to have been getting ready. But all he could think about was the fact that Miss Caulfield had gone.

  He wished he had told her no. It would have been cruel and unreasonable, but he wished it nonetheless. Anything to have kept her at the estate.

  It would only be two weeks. He could handle that. Just two weeks away from Miss Caulfield was hardly anything at all. And when she returned, they would be able to spend time with one another and continue getting to know each other.

  He had thought a great deal about his conversation with the Baron. The Earl still could not fathom that Miss Caulfield was, in any way, using him. But he had continued to think about the other matter. The matter in which he might be able to finally wed again.

  If he was somehow able to get the idea out that he was hoping to, then perhaps it would not come as such a shock if he chose someone beneath his station. After all, society would likely support his choice to marry.

  Then again, he knew that all sorts of rumors had been spread by his late wife’s family. They had accused him of all manner of inappropriate behaviors. And if they were still choosing to treat him that way, then perhaps he would not be so fortunate as to escape unscathed even if he were planning to marry a woman of his own rank.

  So it seemed that it could be risky, still, and quite a challenge. But it would be worth it. And if even a part of society understood that he was deserving of marriage, then he could push through those who disapproved based upon a false belief propagated by his late wife’s family.

  It seemed Miss Caulfield was in the middle of a battle in his mind. On one side, hope prevailed. He would fight for her and society would come to terms with it all. She could be the new Countess. But on the other side, reality reminded him that she would never be accepted. She would never be one of them.

  No matter how deeply he cared for her, she was a governess and nothing more.

  Remembering the conversation at the park, t
he Earl wondered about the Duke of Sandon and his wife. From what he knew, the marriage had begun as a manipulation from the girl’s father and a settling of the Duke himself. He needed to marry and she was available. But it sounded as though the two had actually grown to love one another.

  He had been told that she still wasn’t totally accepted in wider society, but that people had at least grown more understanding and accepting of her than they had previously. If that was the case, then surely his governess could be approved of.

  Then again, the Duke had not previously been married to a woman beloved by many. A woman who was adored by society, the house staff, and anyone who entered her presence. Yes, the late Countess was not a woman easily followed.