The Enigmatic Governess of Buford Manor_A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Emma Linfield

  “Shall we, Your Grace?” Nicholas turned his eyes back toward Captain Balfour and nodded, heading toward the exit. They were not far from Rosecliff, midway through the duchy at Engleshire.

  “We should be home for supper,” he announced. “The duchess will be surprised.”

  “I imagine Mrs. Parsons will be also.”

  The statement was unwarranted and Nicholas stopped to peer at him speculatively.

  “Perhaps,” he replied warily. “I have seen very little of her since accepting my title.”

  “You are fond of her, are you not?” Balfour insisted, as if they were boyhood chums who shared such information.

  “We are all fond of her,” he replied coolly. “Particularly the children.”

  Balfour glanced back, realizing that the duke had stopped walking.

  “I am happy she has moved on so well following her husband’s passing. I understand she was very near commitment before you graciously took her in.”

  Nicholas’ skin prickled.

  “We did not graciously take her in. She works for us and is a wonderful governess for Lord Arlington.”

  “Well, I am certain that she has overcome whatever melancholy had consumed her but I daresay, I did not think she would.”

  The duke was angered by Balfour’s unfettered attempt to undermine Rose.

  What reason could he have for saying such a thing to me about Rose? He has had multiple opportunities to say this in the past. Why now? What has changed?

  “Is that a fact?” Nicholas asked, his tone much harsher than he intended. “I did not realize you had seen her after delivering news of her husband’s death.”

  An odd flash crossed over his face and Nicholas felt himself growing alarmed. How could Balfour know what became of Rose if he had not seen her in almost a year’s time?

  “I have friends in Dartford,” the captain explained. “I confess, I was quite concerned for her in the wake of the news and felt the need to ensure her safety. Her disposition was quite…frail.”

  Balfour continued to where the coach and Peter awaited but Nicholas continued to stand, ire charging through his veins.

  There is the Balfour I know, he thought with some bitterness. He wishes for me to think poorly of Rose for purposes I have yet to discover. A governess has no bearing on his affairs…does she?

  “Are you coming, Your Grace?” Balfour called, and Nicholas swallowed his ire, joining the men at the coach. For all the help the captain had been, Nicholas was beginning to grow doubts about his character once more.

  Tonight, I will unearth whatever has been happening in Rosecliff beneath my very nose.

  “Of course,” Nicholas replied agreeably. “I am rather looking forward to being home this evening.”

  “As am I,” Captain Balfour replied, enigmatically. “I sense surprises for everyone in our future.”

  Nicholas was in his apartment, changing for supper when Theodore appeared.

  “Your Grace, may I offer some assistance?” the old man asked and Nicholas caught his eye in the glass, smiling softly.

  “Despite the change in my title, Theodore, I am still not keen on being fussed upon,” he assured the butler. “You may, however, you may stand levee if you have nothing else to occupy your time at the moment.”

  Theodore smiled thinly, and Nicholas noticed the stress in the man’s eyes.

  “It would be my honor, Your Grace.”

  “Are you well, Theodore?” Nicholas asked, spinning to stare at the man face-to-face. “You seem tired.”

  “No, Your Grace!” he answered quickly, shifting his gaze away guiltily. “I am quite well.”

  Nicholas did not believe the hollow words.

  “I realize that I have not been present, Theodore but I am now head of the duchy. If there is a matter in my own house, I demand to know of it.”

  He hoped there was enough conviction in his tone but Nicholas did not enjoy speaking harshly to the long-time servant, and certainly not to a man so decrepit.

  “Of course, Your Grace,” Theodore mumbled. “I assure you, all is well…with me.”

  Nicholas instantly understood the hidden implication and he gestured for the butler to come closer.

  “Who in the house has a matter?” the duke asked quietly, softening his voice. “You will not endanger your position, Theodore but you must tell me.”

  “Your Grace…” the old man trailed off as if gathering his thoughts.

  “Please speak freely,” Nicholas urged. “I must know what has happened in my absences.”

  “It is nothing specific, Your Grace,” Theodore explained quickly. “Yet there is an aura of ill falling over the manor. The children are distraught and Miss Rose…”

  “What of Miss Rose?”

  “She seems afraid, Your Grace.”

  “Of whom, Theodore? Do you know why?”

  Rheumy eyes met his boring green irises and Nicholas watched his mouth purse.

  “Perhaps I have said too much, Your Grace. Forgive my insolence.”

  “Nonsense!” Nicholas barked. “I have asked and you will tell me what you know.”

  The servant took a deep breath.

  “I believe that Captain Balfour has dark motives, Your Grace.”

  Nicholas thought of Rose and her warning the previous night in the library. He thought of how he had despised the captain from their first encounter and how he had blamed the man for his father’s death.

  “What makes you think so, Theodore?”

  “I daresay, Lord Arlington is terrified of the man, avoiding him at all costs. He and Lady Arlington have retreated to dine in the galley when he is in Rosecliff.”

  “Have they said why?” Nicholas asked, the hairs on his arms raising in anticipation.

  “No, Your Grace as I have not spoken to either of them. Tis not my place, Your Grace.”

  Nicholas nodded slowly and understandingly. The man was right; twas not his place. Twas Nicholas’ place to keep his house and the duchy in order. He felt he was failing miserably on both accounts.

  I have been alerted to Balfour’s ways many times. Have I been blind because he administered a simple apology? Can I be so naïve?

  It was difficult to think but as he continued to stare into Theodore’s face, he realized that he had allowed himself to be fooled by a cunning man.

  Why? What has Balfour to gain with gaining my confidence? He is only a captain without title or land. As an advisor, he is assured board and room but he receives half-pay. Surely, he does not need such a position.

  “Have you spoken to Miss Rose about your concerns, Theodore?”

  “No, Your Grace!” The man was aghast at the suggestion. “I have been a loyal servant to your family for two generations and I hope to see through a third. My words are for your ears only.”

  Nicholas believed him, an unexpected smile on his face as he thought about a third generation of Framptons scampering through the household.

  Who would their mother be? He teased himself slyly, but he quickly wiped the silly beam from his face. Nicholas reached for his pocket clock to investigate the time and he shook his head regretfully. There was not time to meet with Rose nor the children before supper was served but he was determined to get his house in order before leaving Rosecliff again.

  Whatever Balfour has in mind must end today, he thought. But I will not know what he has planned unless I speak with the entire household.

  Only then could he confront the captain with his evidence and send him on his way.

  “Your Grace, are you angered with me for telling you what I have learned?”

  “Of course not, Theodore but I do have a favor to ask of you,” Nicholas replied slowly. “You must keep your ear to the ground and learn what you can of Captain Balfour’s intentions and you will report your findings to me alone. You will mention nothing of this, not even to Peter. Do you understand, Theodore?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “Know there is nothing to fear, Theodore,�
� he continued. “My father once told me that dukedom attracts many flies. It is our duty to eliminate them, not because they are a danger but an annoyance.”

  “Your father was a wise man, Your Grace. I see much of him in you.”

  Nicholas smiled.

  “That is most kind, Theodore. I only wish to do the late duke proud.”

  “If I may say, Your Grace, he has always been proud of you.”

  Nicholas swallowed the lump in his throat and cleared his windpipe uncomfortably.

  “That is all, Theodore,” he declared and the man nodded.

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Theodore left Nicholas to finish donning his waistcoat but the duke’s mind was anywhere but on his attire. He hoped that his words to the butler were sound and that the household had nothing to fear from Captain Balfour. Yet Nicholas could not stop thinking about the circumstances of his father’s death, or that Balfour had been with Rose’s husband when he met his demise.

  Chapter 27

  “Please, Miss Rose,” Harry begged, his guileless blue eyes enlarged with worry. “I would rather take my supper in the galley.”

  “As would I!” Betsey announced in a most belligerent tone. “I haven’t a word to speak to those men!”

  “Those men?” Rose echoed. “That is your cousin, the duke, Betsey! You should not speak so crassly.”

  “He was our cousin,” Betsey snapped back. “Before he became the duke. Now he is much too occupied for us. He will not notice if we eat with the servants.”

  The pain in her tone was evident but Rose was firm.

  “I insist that you eat with the family,” she replied. “If you do not oblige me, I will be forced to inform the duchess of your unwillingness.”

  Saying the words made her cringe inwardly but she had little choice in the matter. If the children decided to eat in the kitchen, she would also lose the fleeting opportunity to dine with Nicholas on such a rare occasion. Despite the dismissal he had given her concerns about Balfour, Rose admitted she did long for his companionship again, regardless of the shame it brought with it.

  He was the only friend she had in Buford since the Boyles had returned and although she did adore the Arlingtons, she felt that she was more their older sister than their companion.

  “You are as bad as the duke!” Betsey cried. “You would complain to the duchess?”

  Moreover, he knows precisely how to deal with these tantrums.

  “If I must tell the duchess, then I shall,” Rose fibbed. “Albeit, I would prefer you act like a lady and do as you are instructed.”

  There was no chance Rose would do such a thing to the children. The duchess had enough with which to concern herself, and she did not need such petty disturbances added to her lot.

  “You only wish to sit among them because you pine for Nicholas,” Betsey growled and Rose balked at the accusation.

  “Betsey, mind your tongue!” Rose yelled. “Your behavior is unbecoming as of late.”

  Betsey’s mouth formed a line and she glanced at her brother miserably. Harry seemed ready to sob as Rose led them into the dining room.

  Rose was trying to be forgiving, knowing that both children were coping the best way they knew how. She only wished they would do it with far more grace.

  “Please, Miss Rose,” Harry whispered. “He will be there.”

  Betsey shoved past Rose in a muttering huff, leaving Rose with the youngest member of the family.

  “Harry, you must tell me why Captain Balfour has you so afraid,” she told him softly. “Has he found a moment to get you alone?”

  He nodded solemnly and Rose’s heart began to race as she looked about, concerned about being overheard. She pulled on his arm, guiding him into the back hallway and into the pantry.

  “What has he to say?” Rose asked. “Do not lie, Harry. I can read a mistruth on your face from yards abound.”

  Harry visibly gulped, his eyes wet with emotion.

  “I already lied to you, Miss Rose,” he mumbled.

  “Whatever about?” she implored.

  “I have known Captain Balfour. He had come to our home in Arlington with frequency before our parents died.”

  “Harry! Why in God’s name did you not tell me earlier?”

  “I am afraid of him, Miss Rose. He is not a good man.”

  Rose inhaled deeply and steeled herself from agreeing wholeheartedly with the boy’s assessment.

  “What is it you fear? What has he said to you, Harry?”

  The young lord fell silent and Rose worried he was about to withhold his worries once more.

  “Harry, you must trust in me,” she implored. “Your secrets are safe with me and I will protect you.”

  He looked up at her, his eyes shining.

  “You will protect me?” he asked and Rose was taken aback by the question.

  “Of course, Harry. I am your friend and your governess. Tis my duty to keep you safe.”

  The boy erupted into a puddle of tears, sniffling loudly as Rose extended her arms, drawing him to her skirts.

  “There there,” she cooed. “Whatever it is, it cannot be so terrible. You shall feel better when you speak the words aloud.”

  She waited as the child struggled to compose himself, her hands caressing his thick mop of hair until he was able to speak once more.

  “He is a bookmaker from the gold hells,” Harry whispered and Rose gaped at the boy.

  “Pardon me!”

  “Tis a fact, Miss Rose. He is employed by the gold hells to collect their debts when the men fall behind in payments. My father…he was also a gamester and Captain Balfour oft came to the duchy to collect. He has seen me on many occasions.”

  A feeling of sick swept through Rose and she swooned, her body touching the door of the pantry.

  “He is a captain in the Royal Navy!” she gasped. “This cannot be right!”

  “It is, Miss Rose. Tis why he wished to see me alone, to warn me not to speak to anyone of what I know. He told me if I did…”

  “What did he say, Harry? You must tell me!”

  “He claimed I would meet the same fate as my uncle.”

  Rose was having difficulty breathing but she willed herself to remain calm as prickles of hot and cold pierced her flesh in unison. She could not faint, not when Harry was expecting her to be strong in the wake of his confession.

  I will not show my horror upon my face.

  “He is dreadful for instilling such fear in you,” Rose choked, clenching her palms into fists to keep her hands from trembling. “He will pay for uttering such nonsense.”

  “Miss Rose, do you suppose he hurt the 5th duke?” Harry whispered in a way which told her that he did believe such a thing.

  “Your uncle’s death was a terrible accident,” she replied, wishing assuredness into her tone. “Captain Balfour is cruel for suggesting otherwise, especially when the household is attempting to move forth.”

  “We will never move forth,” Harry sighed. “Not while Captain Balfour is in Rosecliff.”

  “Hush now, Harry. You must not let him scare you and that is all he intends to do. Off to supper with you, now. I will join you in a moment.”

  “Miss Rose! He is there! I cannot go alone!”

  “As are your sister and the duke and duchess. You will have nothing to fear of Captain Balfour. He cannot and will not hurt you, Harry. I swear it.”

  He gazed at her uncertainly but she nodded, gesturing for him to go. As he shuffled out of the pantry, Rose released a strangled gasp, horror clinging to her heart.

  A dozen memories flooded her despite her attempt to keep them at bay.

  In her mind’s eye, she saw Philip stumble through the front door of their house, drunk and wild-eyed.

  “Where in God’s name have you been?” she cried, leaping from the rocking chair by the hearth. “I have been out of my mind with worry!”

  “I lost it all!” he babbled, shaking his head in resignation. “All of it!”

 
“What say you? Lost what?”

  “Our rent, Rose! I gambled it away and we have no way to pay!”

  How many times had he done it before? How many times had he done it after, despite promising me that he would stop visiting the copper hells and running debts? He hid it from me! He must have! There were so many instances of money missing, of late rent paid. It cannot be a coincidence that Captain Balfour is a bookmaker and Philip had an issue with gambling, bordering on the fetish.