by Tess Byrnes
“What the devil?” Jasper queried irritably. “Of course I don’t wish to see morning callers in my riding clothes. I want to go riding in them. Have you been drinking this morning, Travers?”
A spasm crossed Travers very correct features. “I would not so presume upon my position, my lord,” he replied in a plaintive tone. “It is merely that I showed a caller into the breakfast parlor an hour since. Shall I draw you a bath this morning, my lord?” He waited complacently, without stirring, and was rewarded. Jasper rubbed his eyes, and ran a hand through his dark locks, ruffling them, and giving him a very much younger appearance than his nine and twenty years.
“Alright, you old villain,” Jasper said ruefully. “You have my full attention. Now what’s this nonsense about morning callers? What sort of people arrive at seven in the morning and then stay to wait when the intended victim is still abed?’
“Drink your coffee, my lord, and I’ll lay out your clothes,” Travers said soothingly. “It is not a he, it is a young lady.” He glanced up and saw a quick frown pull Jasper’s brows together.
“I believe you err, Travers. I do not entertain, uh, single females in my home,” he murmured sardonically.
“A young lady with a carpet bag, my lord. A very pretty young lady with blue eyes.” Travers corrected gently while he busied himself with a selection of neck cloths, and thus did not see the rapid change of expression on his master’s face.
“Shaving water, Travers,” was Jasper’s clipped reply as he stood and began to quickly strip.
A mere half an hour later, attired in breeches and gleaming hessians, a very white soft linen shirt and with a superbly fitted coat of blue superfine stretched over his broad shoulders, Jasper entered the breakfast parlor. Priscilla sat very erect in a straight backed chair, clutching her reticule in her lap, a carpet bag at her feet, trying very hard to look composed. Her face was very pale, and her eyes seemed much larger than possible. Jasper took all this in with one quick glance and then came forward quickly and took her hands in his.
“My dear Miss Hawksworth, your hands are quite chilled,” he exclaimed in concern. “Please let me place you nearer the fire, and you can tell me in what way I can be of service to you.” He pulled her inexorably toward the fire, and sat her down, rubbing her cold hands gently between his own warm hands.
“Oh, dear,” Priscilla managed, without meeting his eyes. “I did not intend to come here, my lord.” She looked up then, and gave a rueful smile. “I had no idea how difficult it was to be on my own in London. I couldn’t get a seat on the Mail Coach yesterday morning, and then I was turned away from four posting houses and inns. My friend, Dora, Mrs. Manning, that is, has left London for her confinement, and I do not know anyone else in town to whom I can go.” She stood and walked over to the window, looking out over the early morning bustle happening out on the street.
“I am not telling this very well,” she said, almost to herself. Taking a deep breath, she started again. “My brother and sister-in-law attended Mrs. Hartfield’s ball two nights ago. Sir, you discovered that I left my home to avoid an unwanted marriage, but I did not tell you that I left without the support of my family. But they discovered me at Mrs. Hartfield’s ball two nights ago and intended to inform her that I had gained employment under false pretenses, not being in fact a trained governess. It was their intention to take me back to Pleasance, and to compel me, well, to compel me in a course that I could not follow. So I left, not with any very good plan, as it turns out.” She gave a shaky laugh, and looked at Jasper, who sat watching her, an enigmatic expression on his face.
“I had thought to find another position as a governess,” she continued, “but I was turned away from every inn I approached. How could I reply to an advertised post with nowhere for a reply to come to?”
“A dilemma, indeed,’ Jasper intoned carefully.
“I soon realized that my first impulse, to flee London, was entirely impractical, but my second plan, to locate myself here while I find another post has also turned out very badly.”
At this moment the door opened, and a footman entered bearing a tray laden with tea, bread and butter, scones, butter and jams. He set the tray on a table and bowed out of the room. Jasper pulled indicated a chair at the table, and Priscilla seated herself gratefully.
“Tea?” Jasper handed her a cup.
“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “This is very welcome.”
Jasper watched her consume two cups of tea, several scones, and as she was spreading butter on a second slice of fresh-baked bread, she finally looked up and met his barely-suppressed smile.
“Forgive me, my lord,” she laughed. “I ate very little yesterday.”
“Where on earth did you pass the night, my dear?”
“In a most uncomfortable alcove in front of a shop,” she admitted. “I must say, I have a new found respect for those who make their homes in the streets of London. In truth, I do not know how they survive.”
Jasper took her hands in his, and said, “You are redoubtable indeed, Miss Hawksworth.” Priscilla’s eyes dropped before the admiration that glowed in his eyes.
She paused for a moment before continuing. “You told me once that I could come to you if I found myself in a scrape. Please believe that I would not have availed myself of that offer if I could have thought of an alternative. But it seemed ridiculous to spend another night on the streets of London rather than admit that I needed help. I knew that you would help me if you could.” She drew a deep breath and continued in a stronger tone, pulling her hands gently from his grasp.
“Being so hopelessly unequal to the situation I had created for myself, I swallowed my pride, my lord. I was hoping that you could recommend me to some lady of your acquaintance as a suitable governess,” she concluded quickly.
He met her eyes bravely, but found himself unable to point out to her the immediate conclusion to which any young matron of his acquaintance would leap if he presented this exquisite young girl as a potential governess.
“Of course I will,” he answered instead. “But won’t you tell me why you felt that Mrs. Hartfield would not allow you to remain in her employ? I believed you to be quite settled and happy with her. And while you may not be a trained governess, you certainly are better educated than most.”
Priscilla looked up and met his eyes and for one suspicious moment thought she caught the old wicked gleam, but on second look saw only concern.
“You are most kind, my lord, especially after what passed between us at the ball,” she continued with great determination. “And so I feel that I owe you nothing less than the truth. There is a little more to the story. I took employment under an assumed name. My name is not Hawksworth, it is in fact Priscilla Pleasance.” She looked quickly up at him, but if he was astonished at her revelation, he was able to hide that emotion.
“Was your father John Pleasance?” he inquired calmly. “If so, I believe him to have been a crony of my father’s.”
“No. John Pleasance was my uncle.” Priscilla replied. “My father was his younger brother, and he lived retired, in the country. My brother inherited the estate last year, when my father died, and I have remained there with them. That is until last autumn, when Carolyn, my brother’s wife, arranged a marriage for me which I found distasteful.”
“Sir Harry Greenwood,” Jasper uttered grimly.
“Just so, my lord,” Priscilla agreed. “And that is when I decided to become a governess.” She looked up and met Jasper’s eyes. “In point of fact, I ran away. But unbeknownst to me, Mrs. Hartfield invited Carolyn and my brother, Sir Richard Pleasance, to the ball last night. They saw me, and informed me that Sir Harry still wishes to marry me. It is their intention to visit Mrs. Hartfield this morning, and inform her of my deception, as they called it. I cannot imagine that she will be willing to continue me in my position as governess in opposition to my sister-in-law’s demands. Indeed, it may be against the law for her to do so, for all I know.” She looked up wi
th a self deprecating smile that didn’t quite cover the unhappiness in her eyes. “I seem to be making a habit of running away. If I thought there was any hope of changing Carolyn’s mind, I should stay and fight, my lord, but I know I cannot win against her. Since I am unable to find lodging, and I haven’t enough money to hire a poste chaise and pay for my keep until I find a new position, I am at a stand. I haven’t anyone else to turn to, or I should not trouble you, sir.” She paused for a moment, took a breath and continued. “Plus, I fear that we were not very discrete at Hillaire Castle, and a rumor has surfaced that concerns the two of us.” She looked up at him, but found herself unable to read the expression on his face. “Knowing all this, are you still inclined to lend me your aide?” she asked him directly.
A smile dawned, displacing the frown from Jasper’s blue-green eyes as he returned her gaze. “Miss Pleasance,” he said at last. “You are a remarkable young woman.” He threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter, as Priscilla watched in puzzlement. “My dear,” he continued, “You may safely place yourself in my hands. I have in mind a situation that has newly become available. It has not yet, er, been advertised, and furthermore, I shall convey you there myself!”
A wave of relief swept over Priscilla at these words, and she realized all of a sudden that she had placed all her dependence upon his aide. She returned his hand clasp warmly, and thanked him with sincerity. “And can we set out soon, my lord,” she asked anxiously. “Because I left a note for Mrs. Hartfield, thinking I would be away on the Mail Coach yesterday morning. If my sister-in-law should discover me still in town,” she shuddered eloquently. “Well, suffice it to say that there should be a scene the thought of which makes my knees knock together!”
Jasper’s eyes twinkled, but he spoke sincerely. “Let me assure you that we shall leave with all possible haste. As I will most likely put up at a Posting house before returning to London tomorrow, I must have my man pack a few items. Please await me here, Miss Pleasance. I shall not be gone long.’ He bowed elegantly, and exited the room.
Less than an hour later Priscilla found herself seated snugly beside the Viscount in his curricle, a warm robe over her knees, and a hot brick at her feet. The day was clear and crisp, and she had readily agreed when Jasper had suggested the open carriage despite the possibility of less than clement weather ahead. Although it seemed slightly absurd to worry about les convenances at this point, Priscilla had shrunk from traveling in a closed carriage with a single gentleman.
As the London traffic thinned, and the road changed from smooth cobbles to dusty country roads, Priscilla found her spirits lifting. Although she could not deny a small bubble of anxiety about meeting a new employer and starting over with a new situation, the fact that she had once again escaped from Carolyn and the proposed marriage to Sir Greenwood caused her confidence to climb again. It had taken all her courage to ask Lord Hillaire for his assistance, but he showed no sign of renewing his suit. In fact, Priscilla puzzled, there was nothing in his behavior that would indicate he had ever desired to change her mind.
The small curricle soon left all signs of the city behind, and to Priscilla’s country bred mind, the landscape seemed greener and the birds seemed to sing more sweetly than she had remembered. The curricle was well sprung, and the horses moved smoothly along the dusty road. They traveled in companionable silence for many miles, and as the cottages and buildings started to appear around them with more frequency, Priscilla thought with a sense of anticipation that they must be nearing their destination.
“How much further are we going, my lord,” she turned to ask. “We are nearing Bath, isn’t that so?”
“Just so, Miss Pleasance,” Jasper replied in his deep voice. “The horses are fresh, and the road dry, so we should be there in time to partake of a late luncheon.”
“And what can you tell me of my new employer?” she queried. “Will there be any actual teaching involved in this situation?” she asked mischievously.
“Yes, Miss Lucy did not give you much scope as far as academics went,” he laughed with quick understanding. “Tell, me, did your father pay as much attention to your brother’s education as he did to yours? How did your brother ever end up with such an unfortunate choice of wife?”
Priscilla hesitated, as if trying to pick the right words. “My father didn’t pay much attention to my brother, it’s true, but poor Richard was never very bookish, and didn’t like to read with Papa as I did. He is a very fine shot, though,” she added quickly, “and a bruising rider on the hunting field. He was the best brother in the world when we were growing up. Next to Papa, Richard was always my best friend.”
“Well, he seems to have changed.” Jasper replied sardonically.
“You mustn’t despise Richard,” Priscilla leapt to her brother’s defense. “Carolyn is an unusually strong willed person. And my brother always needed someone stronger to lean on. I think he was truly lost after Papa died and Carolyn represented security to him. And she definitely has his interests at heart. She’s just, well, a little cold. And because she doesn’t value close family ties very much, she can’t imagine how cutting off those ties could hurt Richard.”
“Or you.” Jasper added.
Priscilla’s face flushed darkly. “Oh, I can’t imagine what made me babble on like that,” she said in some consternation. “We were talking about my new employer, not my childhood. Please, tell me how you came to hear of this situation. You said it hadn’t yet been advertised.”
“No, it has not been advertised,” he too seemed to be picking his words carefully as he continued. “The, uh, employer is a close family friend. And I believe you will find your, uh, charge, very eager to learn from you.” He paused and looked down at her. Her forehead was slightly wrinkled in confusion, but she smiled encouragingly.
He gave a short laugh. ”Well, you’ll just have to judge for yourself. We should be there in another half an hour at the latest.”
Priscilla forbore to press him further. “I suspect, my lord, that you are hesitant to tell me something that will make me dislike my new situation. But I promise you that I am willing to tolerate any number of caprices in my new employer, as I am so very grateful for the sanctuary.” She smiled understandingly.
“As you say, Miss Pleasance, I am anxious that you should like my choice for you. Are you very hungry? I wish I had thought to provide us with some food.”
“That was my fault for being in such haste to set out,” Priscilla laughed. “I am hungry, despite the lovely meal you provided this morning. I will just have to hope that my new employer is in the habit of serving a late luncheon.”
They fell back into silence, and covered the next few miles a little more slowly, as they encountered other vehicles nearing Bath. Jasper drove the tiring team into town, weaving skillfully past carts and other drivers. He directed the team into the heart of Bath, and onto a steep cobbled street. Priscilla was unfamiliar with Bath, but could tell from the size and style of the houses that her new employer was located in the best part of town. As they drew up to the front door, it flew open and a butler and two liveried men emerged. One of the men ran to the horses’ heads, as the butler directed him to take them around to the stables. The other man ran forward to let down the step and assist Priscilla from the curricle. The Viscount then took Priscilla’s arm, and led her into the house.
“Good day, my lord,” the butler said respectfully, bowing at the waist. “You will find her ladyship in the morning room.”
“Thank you, Yates,” Jasper said, ignoring the enquiring glance Priscilla was sending his way. “This way, Miss Pleasance.” He indicated a room opening off of the hallway.
Priscilla entered the room, with the feeling that she had been there before. It was a small room but with good proportions and a very high ceiling. But it seemed to contain enough furniture for three such rooms. Pushing past an overstuffed chair, Priscilla hit her knee painfully on the knobby edge of an ornate table.
“Ow,” she exc
laimed without meaning too.
“Oh dear, have you too been injured by this ridiculous furniture, my dear?” A familiar voice spoke from somewhere near the window. “I’ve been nursing a bruised foot from that monstrous gold chair over there. Oh, there you are, Jasper, my darling. Come and give me a kiss.”
“If the furniture is causing you injuries, why don’t you let me move some of it out, my dearest love,” Jasper said as he crossed the room and took his grandmother’s thin hands in his own, bowing gracefully to press his lips to the papery white skin. “How are you really, my dear one?” he asked softly, looking deep into eyes the same blue-green color as his own.
His grandmother returned the soft pressure of his hands. “I’m fine. Really, my foolish boy. And where is my lovely house guest?” Standing up, the little lady could just see over the high backed sofa to where Priscilla stood, as if rooted to the spot. Sparks of anger darted from her eyes, and Jasper thought privately that she looked magnificent.
“Aren’t you going to give me a kiss, my dear girl?” The dowager continued plaintively. Ignoring Jasper most pointedly, Priscilla pushed her way through the furniture. As she neared Jasper she pulled her dress closely to her as if to avoid brushing up against something that would soil her skirts. The glance she cast him was furious, but she masked this as she turned to greet his grandmother. She pressed her warm cheek against the older woman’s cool one, taking her hands in a gentle grasp.
“It’s so lovely to see you again, Dowager Countess,” she said sincerely, smiling at the diminutive woman. “I must apologize for not taking proper leave of you at Christmas. My employer was in a rush to leave, you see.” Once again, she noticed, the Dowager was attired in a black dress that had been in fashion well before Priscilla was born.
“Jasper said he would be bringing you to see me, my dear, but I had no idea it would be so soon. Oh my, I am feeling so tired. I usually have a little nap about this time. You will forgive me, won’t you, if I lie down upon my bed for a little while? Jasper, you must keep our guest company until I come back down. I will ask Yates to have a luncheon set out in the breakfast parlor.” She made her way across the room, leaning gently upon the various pieces of furniture she passed, as she spoke these words. Yates appeared at the door as she reached it, and gave her his arm to lean upon. The door closed gently behind her and as it clicked to, Priscilla turned wrathfully upon Jasper.
