Chapter 3
There was a brief knock on the door to the office, which caused Oliver to look up, and then Wright walked back in.
“Your Grace, I have Lord Seton here for you,” Wright said.
Jamie peered around the door to Oliver’s office slowly, as if he might be worried about what was on the other side.
“Thank you, Wright,” Oliver said to his steward. “Jamie, please come in here and sit down.”
Oliver watched as Jamie again walked into the office and sat down at the table. This was becoming a familiar practice, it seemed, for both of them. Wright nodded at Oliver and walked out.
As the door to the office closed, Oliver turned to his son. He shook his head, and then said, “Jamie, I hear that you have been causing issues in the kitchen?”
Jamie smiled slightly, and again, his son’s smile reminded Oliver of the way Leah used to smile at him from across a room.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Oliver asked him.
“No,” Jamie said. Oliver was a bit taken aback, as he expected that Jamie would make some type of excuse, but he also had to admire his son’s boldness.
“Why did you do it?”
“I did it for the same reason I do anything. I thought it would be funny.”
“Well, it’s not funny, Jamie,” Oliver replied with a stern voice. “In fact, it is very serious. Mrs. Johnson is threatening to resign. What would we do without her as our cook?”
Jamie just shrugged, and started running his finger over the surface of the table, as if he were bored.
“James!” Oliver said loudly. Jamie jumped. “I asked you a question, and I expect an answer.”
Jamie looked at him and said, “I don’t know, Father. Hire a new one?”
Oliver was getting angrier by the moment. He couldn’t believe that Jamie was being disrespectful like this.
“Do you think good cooks are that easy to come by?” Oliver asked in a huff. “I can tell you that they are not, and it took me a long time to find Mrs. Johnson. She has been part of our household since before you were even born, and I have no intention of losing her. So, you are going to walk down to the kitchen this very moment, apologize to her, and then go to the library to wait for me. Is that understood?”
Jamie nodded, still tracing his fingers around the table. Oliver couldn’t help but think that he wasn’t paying attention, at all.
“I am meeting with a potential new governess this afternoon, and if I hire her, that is going to be the end of your pranks. I am your father, and you must obey. The next time, I will get the whip.”
Jamie nodded again before saying, “Am I excused?”
“Yes. And I suggest you immediately go down to the kitchen to apologize. And, I don’t want to hear that you have been in the kitchen again. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
“You are dismissed.”
With that, Jamie stood up, and walked to the door. Oliver watched him as he walked out, and then again, he shook his head. Obviously, something had gone wrong with Jamie’s upbringing, and he could only hope that a new governess would straighten him out.
* * *
Priscilla could feel the butterflies in her stomach as she pulled up in front of the huge manor house that belonged to the Duke of Dowding. The coachman had slowed down the coach, and she could hear the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves as they hit the dirt road.
She looked out of the window and was in awe of the size of the house. I can’t believe that I could be living and working here.
The house was truly massive, and as the coach got close to the large front door, Priscilla could see two footmen, presumably waiting on her arrival.
The coach came to a stop, and Priscilla could see one of the footmen approaching them. She also felt the coach lurch to the side as the coachman jumped out of the driver’s seat and onto the ground. She swallowed, trying to control her nerves, as the door opened and the coachman extended his hand to help her out.
“Thank you,” she said, as she stepped out into the light of the afternoon. She smiled at the footman who was now standing before her.
“Welcome, again, to the home of the Duke of Dowding, Miss Ainsley,” he said. “It would be my pleasure if you followed me inside.”
“Of course.” The footman turned and she followed him. The second footman opened the door as they approached, and he said, “Welcome, Miss Ainsley,” with a smile.
Priscilla nodded at him and walked through the door, impressed by the polite staff. She followed the footman along the same path that they had taken the day before, and he led her directly into the sitting room.
“Please have a seat. Would you care for a glass of wine, Miss Ainsley?” A third footman had approached her from the corner of the sitting room. “His Grace will be with you shortly.”
“Yes, please,” Priscilla said, sitting in the nearest chair. As expected, her body felt hugged by the plush fabric, and she wished that she could sit here forever. The level of luxury in this manor was unlike any she had experienced at home. Though she was still nervous, there was a part of her that hoped she got this position just to have the opportunity to live in this type of opulence.
“Your wine, Miss,” the footman said, as he brought the glass on a silver tray.
“Thank you,” she said, as she grasped it, and then took a sip.
“I’m sure His Grace will only be a moment,” the footman said. “He has been notified of your arrival.”
Almost as soon as the footman had finished his sentence, Priscilla heard the door to the room open. She quickly turned, and walking towards her was a tall, handsome gentleman with dark hair, which was wild and curly atop his head. As he approached, she could see that he had bright blue eyes, which looked kind.
“You must be Miss Ainsley,” he said nonchalantly, as he walked across the room. He didn’t let her answer.
“I apologize for my tardiness,” he said. “I’m a busy gentleman, and I have many tasks to fit in during the day.” He immediately seized a glass of wine from the footman’s tray, took a sip, and then sat the glass onto the side table.
“Now, let’s quickly discuss my needs,” he continued. Priscilla felt as if she couldn’t get a word in, and she could already tell that the Duke was a determined, serious gentleman.
“My son, Jamie, is a bright chap, but his efforts are not always focused on where I believe they should be. For example, I want him to learn history, globes, and mathematics, but he is more interested in learning how to best trick the assistant cook to give him an extra piece of cake before dinner.”
“I see, Your Grace,” Priscilla said, finally sensing a break in his speech.
The Duke took another sip of wine, and then said, “Is that something you can help with, Miss Ainsley?”
Priscilla was a bit caught off guard, but replied, “Oh, yes, Your Grace. I can certainly help with that.”
“Excellent! You will have your own private quarters, there is a school room where you and my son may have your lessons, and I will offer a small salary in addition to caring for your needs such as food, shelter, and the like. Is that agreeable?”
Again, Priscilla was a bit overwhelmed by his question, but she answered anyway. “Of course, Your Grace.”
“Wonderful,” the Duke said as he stood. “Please see my steward, Wright, in the morning, and he can get you started.” Without another word, the Duke walked out of the room.
Priscilla didn’t even know what to think. She obviously had gotten the position of governess, but felt as if she had just gone through a hurricane. It had happened so quickly.
Priscilla waited, and the footman approached her once again.
“Are you ready to leave, Miss?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
“I will show you out, then. Please follow me.”
Priscilla began to follow directly behind the footman. After all, I have to prepare to come back in the morning.
* * *
&nb
sp; Oliver approached the library quickly. He had hired a governess, and now wanted to make sure that Jamie had apologized to Mrs. Johnson before he got back to work.
The library was only a short walk from the sitting room, but it was just enough time for him to replay the conversation with Miss Ainsley in his head.
He had been a bit surprised that she had been so beautiful, and he wasn’t used to being around nor interacting with ladies he found to be attractive. In fact, since Leah had died, he had not been with any other lady, and though he had his urges, he couldn’t remember a time since her passing that he had felt such an attraction to someone else.
In fact, he was so surprised to feel a stirring in his trousers, that he knew he had to get out of the room swiftly. So, he spoke fast, hired her, and left, almost as quickly as he had arrived. Her porcelain skin and honey-brown eyes were quite beautiful, and he had always been partial to ladies with curly hair.
He walked towards the library and went through the doorway. There, he saw Jamie sitting on a chair, his head bowed down reading a book.
“I hope that is something educational,” Oliver said to his son. “Put the book down, Jamie, and come here.”
Oliver watched as Jamie gently closed the book and placed it on a table next to his chair. He then rose and walked towards him with no expression.
“Did you apologize to Mrs. Johnson?” Oliver asked.
“Yes, Father.”
“Did she accept your apology?”
“Yes, Father.” Jamie said with a nod.
“Good. Now we can continue to eat in peace without the fear of being poisoned like a character in one of your books.”
Jamie looked up at him, and Oliver smiled. Jamie smiled back. Oliver was amazed at the good mood he was in. This was certainly a rarity.
“Jamie, I hired a new governess today. Her name is Miss Ainsley, and she will start working here tomorrow,” Oliver explained. Jamie’s face fell a bit as he spoke.
“I believe you will like her,” Oliver continued. “She is young, pretty, and nice, but she will not put up with your pranks. Do you understand?”
Jamie nodded. “I do, Father.”
“Very good. I have to get back to work now, but I will see you at dinner. I trust that it will be delicious now that you have apologized to Mrs. Johnson.”
Oliver gave his son a rare smile, and then turned to walk out the door and back to his office.
* * *
Priscilla had returned home and was in the process of packing up all of her belongings. The events of the last two days had been a whirlwind. Since being hired as a governess for the son of the Duke of Dowding, her thoughts were all a blur.
Priscilla was an orphan raised, for the most part, in an orphanage. Though the story she had told Wright earlier in the day wasn’t totally true, she was educated, and she was qualified to be a governess.
Priscilla had educated herself. She had always loved to read, so she took every opportunity she could to read books. Every night, and sometimes even during the day, she could be found with her nose between the pages of a story, a text, or even the Bible…whatever she could find to read. This was how she learned mathematics, history, and even French.
There was a kind vicar in the town where she grew up, and he helped to refine her knowledge and improve her scholastic pursuits. Now, as an adult of two-and-twenty years, she was just as educated and knowledgeable as any other lady her age.
So, in her mind, she hadn’t really lied to Wright, she had just left some details out. Priscilla was looking forward to this new chapter in her life, and the fact that she could do this while living in such a grand house was a wonderful opportunity.
She finished placing her books in her trunk and had to push hard to ensure that it closed all the way. Priscilla heard the click of the lock, placed the key on the now empty desk in the corner of the room, and began to ready herself for bed. After all, she had a big day tomorrow, and she wanted to be rested up.
* * *
Oliver was looking at himself in the mirror as his valet, Christopher Barnes, was finishing up by brushing the lint off of his dinner jacket.
“Almost done, Your Grace,” Barnes said. He had been Oliver’s valet for more than a decade, and he was one of the very few people who Oliver felt totally comfortable with.
“Thank you, Barnes.”
“Is everything all right, Your Grace?” Barnes asked with the sound of concern in his voice. “You are quiet tonight.”
Oliver nodded, still staring at himself in the mirror. He just had so much on his mind between the influx of orders for the distillery, to hoping that Jamie would improve his behavior with the new governess…to the new governess, who he couldn’t seem to get off of his mind.
“Oh yes,” Oliver said, smiling widely. “I’m tired, and I had a lot to handle today.”
Oliver could see Barnes smirk in the mirror. “Yes, Your Grace. I heard that Lord Seton made a visit to the kitchen today.”
Oliver shook his head, and he said, “Indeed, and poor Mrs. Johnson was about ready to resign, according to Wright.”
“I can imagine that she was not happy,” Barnes said, as he straightened Oliver’s jacket. “Though, I also imagine that it was an empty threat. Mrs. Johnson has been here longer than I have been, and I do not think she would leave on account of the sugar and salt being switched.”
“I hope you are right,” Oliver said, as he took a final look at himself in the mirror. Though it was only he and Jamie at dinner, he always liked looking his best as an example to his son. “Though, I couldn’t blame her if she did leave on that account.”
Barnes began to put the brush away, but then turned back towards Oliver. “I might be out of line to say this, Your Grace, but I think Miss Collins resigning was a bit rash. The child was only trying to have a bit of fun.”
Oliver couldn’t help but smile. “Barnes, you are not out of line, and I must admit that I agree with you. At the same time, as his father, I must make sure that he is disciplined for his indiscretions. And, as amusing as his pranks are sometimes, I think I am giving him the wrong message if I encourage it.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“But,” Oliver said, as he readied to leave the room to go down to dinner. He turned to Barnes with a large, wide smile. “If I was a young gentleman of ten, I can guarantee that I would be by his side helping him.”
Chapter 4
“Lord Seton,” Wright said as he approached Jamie. “Your new governess is here.”
Jamie looked up from his book, and he stood as the pair walked in. He was in the library and reading a book of fairy tales about a mischievous imp who wreaked havoc on a small kingdom. He liked books like this, because he liked to play pranks, himself.
Standing next to Wright was a young woman. She smiled, had noticeably curly hair and was pale and thin. She looked nice enough to Jamie, but he hadn’t had the best of luck when it came to governesses.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Seton,” the governess said. “I am Miss Ainsley, and I am greatly looking forward to working with you.”
Jamie looked at her with suspicion. Every governess had said generally the same thing when he had met them for the first time, and he quickly found that they did not like working with him on his schooling after a bit of time.
“I thought that it would be a good idea for you and Miss Ainsley to get acquainted here,” Wright said. “And then begin your formal lessons in the morning.”
“Thank you, Wright,” Jamie replied begrudgingly. He didn’t really want to get acquainted with anyone. Instead, he wanted to get back to reading his book.
Wright turned and walked out of the door. Jamie could tell she was nervous by the way she continued to wring her hands. He sat down in the chair he had occupied moments before.
“Do you mind if I sit, Lord Seton?” she asked with a wide smile.
“No,” he said, motioning to the empty chair next to him.
She cleared her throat,
and then said, “I would like to get to know you a bit before we begin our lessons. Is that all right?”
“Yes,” he said. Jamie was intrigued because all of the other governesses he had simply rushed right into lessons on the first day of meeting him.
The Devious Seduction 0f A Wayward Duke (Steamy Historical Romance) Page 3
