Archibald grinned. “Yes, Miss Hubert. And no matter what happens, I am proud of you, Alfred.”
Hugging his older brother swiftly, he disappeared off into the crowd.
Meredith rose as Alfred blinked away hot tears. He had lost today, but he had gained so much. Some of it he had always had. He had just never realized how precious it was.
“—so you can always depend on your new member of Parliament, John Talbot!” finished the newly crowned politician to raucous applause from his gaggle of followers.
There was polite applause from the rest of the Town Hall, and even Alfred managed to clap a few times. Much good may it do him. Taking his seat at Parliament had never brought him much joy, but perhaps he was simply not suited to it. Perhaps Talbot was.
Chatter was growing as people discussed the rather shocking results. Alfred could feel the stares on the back of his neck. Everyone wanted to see how he would react.
Meredith slipped her hand in his, and much of the discomfort dislodged from his heart. How could he imagine being happier than this? He had Archibald restored to him, Meredith was to be his bride—what could be better?
He kissed Meredith hard on the mouth, ignoring the gasps from those around them. “You aren’t disappointed?”
Meredith shook her head. “Disappointed? I can already see the weight lifted from you, and I would rather marry a happy duke than a miserable member of Parliament.”
Alfred laughed and kissed her again, utterly ignoring the pointed looks of disapproval being cast their way. He had managed it, though goodness knows how.
“On the other hand,” said Meredith delicately, “I think there is someone there who is greatly disappointed and would benefit from speaking with you.”
Alfred turned and groaned. Mr. Walker had not moved an inch since the result had been announced, and his teacup had evidently slipped from his fingers. Mrs. Walker was fussing around him, instructing one of their maids to clean it all up.
“I will have to go over and comfort Mr. Walker,” said Alfred ruefully. “I don’t think he has taken the news at all well. I will be but a moment.”
Regretfully relinquishing Meredith’s arm and hating being parted from her, Alfred started to push through the crowd toward Mr. Walker.
And then someone took his arm.
“And where do you think you are going?” Meredith said with a mock frown on her face. “We go together. We come as a pair now, Alfred, whether you want to or not.”
The knot of pain disappeared, and Alfred squeezed her hand. “Together, then.”
Epilogue
October 30, 1812
There was definitely a winter chill in the air as Meredith looked up at the imposing building. She sighed, her breath blossoming before her as the church’s tower clock chimed eleven o’clock.
The cold, frosty morning had been a surprise as she had awoken that morning, but after spending months in the north, London felt warm. It was strange to see Jack Frost’s fingers scratched across the glass windows when it felt so warm.
The pavement around Meredith was bustling, people moving around her as she continued to look up at the building.
She knew what she had to do. She needed to step forward and face up to what she had done, but she couldn’t. Something held her back.
Meredith sighed again. “She will be unhappy with me.”
“Probably,” said her husband cheerfully by her side.
“I did send Miss Clarke a letter in the end,” said Meredith, assiduously ignoring Alfred’s unhelpful remarks. “Perhaps…I mean, I did not receive a reply. Perhaps it would be easier, better not to go in at all.”
She glanced into Alfred’s caring eyes and felt the courage she knew she did not have.
“Yes, we could not go in,” he said gently, “but this is the last tie to the past. I am not sure whether I want to meet your family, for example.”
“I suppose so,” she said hesitantly.
Alfred looked up at the building. Meredith had always considered it a rather austere building; gray stone, no embellishments or adornments.
“Though now you mention it, I am not entirely sure whether a second letter would have done just as well as a visit,” said Alfred with a sigh. “I did not wish to come to London in the first place, ’twas you who insisted.”
Meredith smiled. She was the most fortunate woman in the world and well aware of that fact. No longer Meredith Hubert, or even Meredith Glasshand: she was Meredith Carmichael, Duchess of Rochdale. Married to the best man she had ever met—and sister-in-law to one just as fine!
Alfred had made her happier in the last week since they married than…well, she could ever remember. A real home, a real husband, a real life. They were things she had believed beyond her reach when trapped living a life of iniquity with her family.
Now she had a man who loved her, no matter her past. He had looked beyond what would have cowed even some of the best of men, and saw instead…her.
Meredith. As she was, not as a governess or a criminal or a servant. And he loved what he saw.
“Well, I suppose the sooner we go in, the sooner we can leave.”
Buoyed by this thought, Meredith stepped forward and knocked on the front door of the Governess Bureau.
It was opened almost immediately, and a maid appeared, looking at them inquiringly.
Meredith smiled. She had to remember everything was different now, particularly since the last time she was here. It was time to face what she had done, and she would not feel at ease with herself until she had looked Miss Clarke in the eyes.
“I have an appointment,” she said quietly. “To see Miss Clarke.”
The maid looked at her curiously. Her gaze was a little too penetrating, but the servant did not seem able to place her face, no matter how much she attempted it. Well, she looked very different than three months ago. New coat, new gown, new bonnet.
New name.
“An appointment?”
“Yes,” said Alfred gruffly. “And it is cold out here. Rochdale’s the name.”
The girl looked abashed at his words. There was also something about the way Alfred spoke. Meredith had never been able to place it, not exactly, but being a duke was not just in the blood, but in the voice, too. He had a way of commanding people without actually making any commands.
“Yes, of course,” said the maid, dropping into a hasty curtsey. “Come this way, Miss Clarke is expecting you.”
Meredith was careful as they entered the waiting room in the wake of the maid, not to catch the eye of any of the governesses there. Miss Patrick had her nose buried in a book, and there was Miss Fletcher, with whom Meredith had shared a few pleasant evenings.
Neither of them looked up at the splendidly dressed woman; however, a fur stole around her neck, diamonds peeking out from her pelisse, and feathers in her bonnet.
Meredith almost laughed. It was hard to believe this was her life now.
“Miss Clarke,” said the maid, bobbing another curtsey and immediately disappearing as another knock echoed from the front door.
The study door opened, and Meredith took a deep breath. This was the moment she would be forced to have a conversation with Miss Clarke she simply did not want to have.
Alfred took off his top hat and stepped around Meredith. “Ah, Miss Clarke.”
Meredith could no longer hesitate. As she entered Miss Clarke’s study, the proprietress of the Governess Bureau was standing behind her desk just rising from a curtsey.
“Your Grace,” she said demurely, “and—oh. Miss Hubert. I do apologize, there has clearly been a misunderstanding.”
Meredith tried to smile as she stepped to Alfred’s side. He had not taken one of the seats before the desk and was evidently waiting for her to explain.
How could she find the words?
“A-A misunderstanding, Miss Clarke?” was all she could manage.
“Yes,” said Miss Clarke with a brisk smile. “I was told the Duke of Rochdale and the duches
s wanted to see me. I have to admit I was not aware there was a duchess, but now I can see the mistake. It is the duke and his governess. Please, sit down.”
Alfred grinned at Meredith as he sat. She did not return his smile. This was intolerable, she had to say something immediately. But how could she find the words?
Slowly lowering herself onto the chair, she resolved to say something—and quickly, before this misunderstanding continued.
“Yes, I thought I might have a visit from you, Miss Hubert,” said Miss Clarke, affixing her with a stern look. “I have not received a report for the last month. I hope all is in order?”
She had spoken to Alfred rather than Meredith and sat waiting patiently for his response. Alfred did not speak, however, and looked pointedly at Meredith.
Meredith swallowed, her throat dry. “Miss Clarke, there are some facts which you need to be informed of.”
The glare Miss Clarke subjected her to was fierce indeed. “Excuse me, Miss Hubert, but I was speaking to your employer.”
It was the perfect opening, but even then, Meredith almost did not take it. Only Alfred’s subtle nod encouraged her onward.
Meredith took a deep breath. “No, not my employer. My husband.”
Alfred reached out with a smile and took her hand in his. Meredith did not look at him. Her eyes were transfixed on Miss Clarke.
For a moment, it appeared Miss Clarke had been frozen solid. She moved not one inch, her gaze on Meredith.
Meredith wondered whether she should say more. After all, that was hardly an explanation, was it! If she could just explain how they had fallen in love without any intention of doing ill on either side—surely then, the owner of the Governess Bureau would not be so angry with her!
Miss Clarke carefully removed her glasses, cleaned them with a scrap of silk, and replaced them before saying quietly, “You know the rules, Miss Hubert.”
“I know,” said Meredith, “and I broke them. I would only have done it if I…I truly fell in love.”
This simple statement seemed to render Miss Clarke speechless. Her gaze flickered between Meredith and Alfred, still hand in hand, her expression moving from astonishment to outrage.
“There are but three rules of the Governess Bureau,” she said with a quiet fury. “Three rules. I have those rules to protect the reputation of the Governess Bureau—goodness, no one would ever hire one of our girls if they thought she was going to make eyes at the master!”
Meredith did not know what to say. She may be a duchess now, but Miss Clarke was still the woman who had given her a second chance. She had taken her on, without references.
And she had betrayed that trust.
“This is the first time this has ever happened. I am very disappointed, Miss Hubert!”
Meredith fought the instinct to hang her head in shame. She would never permit anyone to make her feel guilty for loving Alfred—for finding a shared love with him.
“Actually,” she said quietly, “it’s ‘Your Grace’.”
Miss Clarke gaped and then looked to Alfred. “I do apologize for my outburst, Your Grace, but you must be able to see this from my perspective. I have a business to run!”
“Meredith was such a wonderful governess to my brother, thanks undoubtedly to your excellent tutelage,” said Alfred smoothly, “I just had to secure her for all our future children.”
Meredith almost laughed. He did have a way with words. Put him on a stage, and he would fall to pieces, but place him before a lioness like Miss Clarke, and he was magnificent.
“You can be assured we wish for no scandal, Miss Clarke,” continued the duke. “We want to live a quiet life with my half-brother, and…and any children we have ourselves.”
Meredith flushed at these words.
“We are not looking for gossip,” Alfred reiterated, “nor to bring you into disrepute.”
Whether it was his calming tone or the content of his words, Meredith was not sure. Either way, Miss Clarke appeared to be mollified by these statements.
“Well,” she said. “Well, all I can say is I hope I shall never have to endure this sort of news again. Why, I have a meeting with the Earl of Clarcton in ten minutes, and he would certainly not want to hear such things!”
The poor woman did look very upset, and guilt crept into Meredith’s heart. It was her fault Miss Clarke was so flustered, so concerned for the reputation of the Governess Bureau.
But what could she do? She would never compromise her feelings for Alfred just to keep someone else happy.
Taking a deep breath, Miss Clarke looked once more at Meredith. “How…how did this happen? I will need to know, to see how I can prevent it from happening again.”
“Never fear, Miss Clarke,” said Alfred. “I am not looking for a second governess nor wife!”
Meredith laughed, but stopped abruptly at the sight of Miss Clarke. “Alfred is joking, Miss Clarke.”
The proprietress nodded. “Ah. I see.”
A rather uncomfortable silence followed this, and Meredith felt obliged to fill it. “’Tis hard to remember exactly how it happened, in truth.”
“It was an instant attraction, I am afraid,” said Alfred with a roguish grin. “But every day has taught me more about you, and each bit of knowledge I loved.”
Meredith felt a lurch in her stomach and looked at Miss Clarke, who had gone pink.
“I cannot create rules against that, I suppose,” she said hesitantly as a bell rang in the distance. “Ah, the earl is early. You…you will not say anything to him, will you?”
“Of course not,” said Alfred as he rose to his feet, Meredith mirroring him. “And thank you, Miss Clarke. Though you did not intend to give me such happiness in this precise way, I can assure you, you have.”
Meredith saw something strange flicker across Miss Clarke’s face; something like regret, or bitterness perhaps. Before she could examine it in any detail, it was gone.
They were bustled out of the room before they could say any more, and Meredith saw to her surprise and delight that they had been shown the servants’ door. Evidently, Miss Clarke would do anything to prevent the earl from meeting with a governess turned duchess.
“Goodness, the servants’ way out!” Meredith giggled. “I think that’s probably the first time a duke has stepped through it!”
And they were out, into the freezing air. Meredith breathed it in as though she had been underwater all this time. The day felt fresh, new, somehow. The alleyway around the side of the Governess Bureau was empty. They were alone.
She had done it. She had told Miss Clarke, and she had no more secrets to share.
Now there was nothing anyone could do to prevent her from being happy.
“Hallo, Meredith—I thought you were up north with some duke?”
Meredith turned to see Miss Anne Gilbert, brilliant ginger hair shining in the wintery sun, a broad smile on her face. They had both been chosen as candidates for the Earl of Marnmouth, and in the three days trial which the old man had given both of them, she had grown fond of the other woman. She was an excellent governess if a little loud and flamboyant.
“Goodness, are you it?” Miss Gilbert said, stepping forward to take a closer look at Alfred.
He laughed. “Why yes, I am it.”
Meredith was not entirely sure how it happened, but before she knew it, Miss Gilbert had thrown her arms around her, giggling wildly.
“The gossip is true then! You really did marry him?”
“She really did,” said Alfred with a laugh. “Goodness, don’t strangle my wife, please, Miss.”
Meredith was released, and Miss Gilbert beamed. “Well, I don’t mind saying how pleased I am, Meredith, I really don’t. I’m heading in now to find out my next charge. Apparently, the master’s just arrived!”
“Ah, you’ll be for the Earl of Clarcton, then,” said Meredith with a smile. It was strange to think that only a few months ago, she was in this same position. Waiting for her next assignment, wondering
what the children would be like when she arrived there.
And now…
“Oh, another earl!” Miss Gilbert nodded impressively. “Well, you know more than I do, then. Better dash, Miss Clarke is a stickler for punctuality, as you know. Good luck!”
Meredith smiled as Miss Gilbert disappeared into the Governess Bureau with a flurry of goodbyes.
Alfred kissed her neck as he came up and hugged her from behind. “Right, is that it? Can we go back to Rochdale Abbey now?”
Meredith smiled and pulled herself out of his arms as she said seriously, “No. I am afraid we have one more appointment.”
Alfred groaned as they stepped toward the bustling street before them. “Meredith, you know I hate London! Can’t you go and do whatever it is near home? In Rochdale?”
Home. The word had never meant much to her as a child. They were always on the move, always looking for the next big score. As a governess, one learned not to take too seriously the masters and mistresses who encouraged you to treat the place like your home. Sooner or later, you would be leaving, on to start with a new family.
But not anymore.
“No,” she said decidedly. “The doctor I want to see is here.”
Alfred froze as he said urgently, “Doctor? You’re not ill, are you?”
Another rush of nausea threatened to overwhelm her, but Meredith just smiled. Perhaps this was the best time to tell him. She would have to tell him when they arrived at Harley Street, anyway.
“No,” she said quietly, “but I think… I think I am pregnant.”
For a moment, Alfred said nothing, merely staring as though she had announced she was on her way to the moon.
Then he pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her wildly until he finally said, “Are—you are sure?”
“No,” said Meredith with a laugh, heart soaring at his joy. “As sure as I can be without seeing the doctor!”
“A baby,” said Alfred, half in wonder, half in shock. “A baby—our baby, Meredith!”
“Come on,” she said with a grin. “We don’t want to be late for this next great adventure.”
A Governess of Great Talents Page 31
