The Governess Who Stole My Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Hanna Hamilton

  “There you are,” Susan said.

  “You’re back. How nice. It’s been lonely with the two of you gone and John up in London.”

  “He’s not back?”

  “Not yet.”

  “But has there been any news of Simon?”

  Clarissa took Susan by the arm and led her from the pantry and into the main sitting room where they sat by the fire. She looked concerned.

  “Not a word, my dear. And it worries me. It’s unlike John not to send word right away. Even if Simon were seriously ill, he would write a short note to let us know what was going on.”

  Susan was thoughtful. “Elizabeth’s never met her Uncle Simon, has she?”

  “No. She was born after he left.”

  “So we needn’t feel she will be too upset if he should not make it?”

  “I don’t think so,” Clarissa said. “But you might want to tell her what’s going on. She’s going to have questions about where her father is.”

  “Yes. I’ll take care of that.”

  Clarissa reached over and took Susan’s hand. “And how are you dealing with all of this?”

  “I’m concerned, but fine.”

  “Hopefully we’ll hear something soon.”

  It was still dark outside the rented carriage. They had been traveling for several hours. Simon was sleeping fitfully as John kept a watchful eye on him. Simon was bundled up like a newborn baby—which in a sense he was—or at least reborn.

  John watched as the dawn began to break. He was exhausted from his long vigil with Simon, but he felt a lightness of heart as he realized he was once again reunited with his estranged brother. He had no idea what Simon might want to do after his recovery, but he held out hopes that he might be able to entice Simon to stay and become an active participant in the running of Haverford.

  John realized he’d not been wise in his previous relationship with Simon. He had, in fact, been thoughtless when their father died, and he’d inherited the titles, responsibilities, and inheritance of the Duke. He had totally disregarded Simon’s plight as the second son—with no title or living. Now it was time to address that slight and redress it.

  The carriage pulled up to the entrance of Haverford House. Only a few of the staff were stirring, and most of those would be in the kitchen preparing breakfasts, or restoring the fires throughout the house after they had gone to embers during the night.

  The front door was locked so John knocked. A grumpy looking Standish finally appeared and brightened up when he saw it was the Duke.

  “Your Grace, we didn’t know you were arriving—so early.”

  “I’m sorry, Standish, it was a last minute decision. I have Simon in the carriage and my horse is tied to the back. Will you please tell the groom to care for the horse? And I need assistance in getting my brother up to his rooms.”

  “Of course. Just one moment—I will fetch help.”

  John went back to the carriage and prepared Simon to be moved.

  “We’re here,” John said, shaking the sleeping Simon.

  “Oh, we’re home?”

  “Yes. And you’ll be soon again in your own bed.”

  “How nice.”

  Standish came with two footmen, not properly dressed yet, but ready to help. They assisted Simon out of the carriage and into a chair they’d brought, and which they now lifted to carry him up to his room.

  “Have someone sit with him in case he needs anything,” John called out to Standish.

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Now John was utterly exhausted. He’d been running in an emergency mode for the last several days, and now, that his immediate care was no longer needed, he crashed.

  Neither Susan nor Clarissa had any idea that John had returned with Simon when they went down to breakfast later that same morning.

  As soon as they had seated themselves after serving their plates from the covered dishes at the sideboard, Standish came in and whispered to Aunt Clarissa. She seemed surprised, and, after he left, she said to Susan, “John has returned with Simon. It seems he has been seriously ill and John has brought him home to recover.”

  “Did he say what the illness was?”

  “No. But there was an extreme fever. And he says John is resting now. Apparently, they left early in the morning and arrived just after dawn.”

  “Poor Simon, I hope he’ll recover quickly,” Susan said.

  Clarissa replied, “I’ll look on him later this morning. I feel certain they are both exhausted and will need a good long sleep.”

  “Today’s the day the Franklin twins are coming to play with Elizabeth. I hope they won’t create any disturbance to disrupt their sleep.”

  Clarissa laughed. “In a house this size? I doubt they will disturb anyone. The brothers’ rooms are in a totally different wing.”

  “I’ll need to prepare Elizabeth to meet her uncle.”

  “There’s no rush. I think Simon will need some time to recuperate. I’ve seen what a severe fever can do to a body.”

  Susan chuckled, “And I need to prepare myself as well. Simon and I did not part on the best of terms when we met in London.”

  “Illness has a way of humbling one. You might find him greatly changed.”

  Susan smiled. “I wonder whatever became of Miss Leticia Cresswell of Bristol. I assume she was not still with Simon when John arrived.”

  “Standish didn’t say.”

  “From what I could observe of Miss Leticia, my guess is that she would have fled at the first sign of any inconvenience.”

  “What time are the twins arriving?” Clarissa asked.

  “Ten…well they are being called for at ten. I’m guessing it will be ten-thirty or eleven before the children start playing.”

  “And what will the instruction part of this playtime be?”

  “I thought it would be instrumental to have Elizabeth give the lesson in basic sums. Nothing like teaching, to solidify what she herself has learned.”

  “That sounds most wise.”

  John felt amazingly refreshed when he awoke later that afternoon. But he was famished and, after bathing and dressing, he went to the kitchen in search of food.

  “Why didn’t you ring for me, Your Grace,” Standish asked as he found the Duke in the larder.

  “I couldn’t wait. Just wanted to poke around and see what I could find for myself.”

  “I’ll call cook, shall I?”

  “No. This cheese, this meat pie, and that bread will be just fine.”

  “Let me,” Standish insisted, taking the food from John and preparing him a plate.

  John sat at the kitchen table and began to eat. This upset Standish, who felt decorum was being flouted as the Duke should not be eating where the food was prepared.

  “Your Grace, if you like I can set a place for you in the breakfast room, at a table by the fire in the sitting room.”

  John waved his hand. “I’m just fine, thank you.”

  Resigned, Standish shrugged and stood by in case the Duke needed anything more.

  “Have you checked in with Simon,” John asked.

  “He’s still sleeping. And I have someone with him.”

  “Let me know as soon as he awakes.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  John finished his snack and stood. “I’m going for a ride. I’ve been sitting for too long, and I need to be out in the open.”

  “Very good.”

  John stopped and turned back. “And Miss Susan… Wasn’t today the day the twins were coming to play with Elizabeth?”

  “Yes, they came earlier this morning.”

  “Are they still here?”

  “No, they have returned home.”

  “Good, then would you please find Miss Susan and see if she would like to go riding with me? Tell her I shall be in the stable.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Susan scampered to find her riding costume. John had summoned her, and she jumped at the chance to ride with him. She dug into t
he armoire, found the riding dress, changed, and ran to the stable.

  “John, thank you for asking me to ride with you.”

  “Ah, good, you’ve come. Let me find you the perfect horse.”

  John disappeared and reappeared shortly with a groom leading a horse.

  “Buttercup will delight you. She’s gentle and responsive. Do you gallop?”

  “Of course. I even jump.”

  “Excellent. I feel like a good workout. Can you manage?”

  “I’ll keep up,” Susan insisted.

  They mounted and set out across the fields. The sun was declining behind the western line of trees and the sky was alight with a wash of subtle winter colors.

  They rode to the far crest where John liked to stop, dismount and study his lands—with Haverford House in the far distance.

  As they stood and observed the scene before them, a herd of deer emerged from the edge of the far woods.

  “How is Simon doing?” Susan asked.

  John turned to look at her. “It was touch and go. Scarlet fever. But the crisis has passed. However, he will have a long recovery.”

  “I’m happy to hear that he will recover.”

  “I’m sure he would be happy to see you, once he’s stronger. I told him you were working here with Elizabeth.”

  “Was he surprised?”

  “A little. But his head has not been too clear, so I don’t know how much he really understood.”

  They were silent as the sun began to set. John cast a look at Susan. Her face was lit golden by the setting sun. It warmed his heart to see her again. He realized he’d really missed seeing her while he was in London.

  “Wasn’t today the day the twins were coming to play with Elizabeth?” he asked.

  “Yes, and it went fine. They had a great time and look forward to next week. I feel it’s a modest beginning to what will eventually become the school.”

  “Have you worked on our equipment list yet?”

  “Yes, I have and I’m ready to meet with you whenever you wish.”

  “Good. Soon.” He looked up at the sky. “It will be dark before long, we best head back.”

  John helped Susan onto the horse and, as he took hold of Susan’s waist to help her up, he felt a surge of, what he could only call passion, as she turned her head toward him and he could feel her breath on his cheek.

  John quickly mounted his horse and spurred it on, as they set off across the field, scattering the deer as they approached.

  The next morning John paced the library. He was still in turmoil over Simon’s illness. And now Simon was home. John had not given a lot of thought to what might come next for his brother, but he wanted to give it some serious thought now.

  His first impulse was to offer Simon a part of the estate, but if he did that, the totality of the estate would diminish. The whole point of primogeniture was to pass the estate on to a single heir in order to keep it intact so that the land could support the Dukedom. John knew he needed to honor that tradition for the sake of stability and his future heirs.

  Standish came into the library.

  “Your Grace, you wanted me to let you know when Mr. Simon awoke.”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “He has asked for food and to see you.”

  “Standish, do you think he might be up to seeing Miss Susan and my daughter? He has not met her, you know.”

  “If you think Miss Elizabeth would be ready to meet her uncle, then I believe he would be happy to meet her. He does seem greatly improved from when he arrived yesterday.”

  “Very well, Standish. Please serve Simon his meal and tell him I shall attend on him presently.”

  “Very good, Your Grace.”

  It was well after breakfast and he estimated that Susan and Elizabeth would be in the school room. Should he also invite Aunt Clarissa to attend with them he wondered? He decided against it. Seeing Miss Susan, his one-time fiancé, and the niece he’d never met, seemed quite enough stimulation for one day.

  John went to the schoolroom and went inside, standing at the door as Elizabeth was looking at a book and picking out words at the moment. He didn’t want to disturb her.

  However, Susan looked up and smiled.

  “Your Grace, welcome. Have you come to see our lesson?”

  “Not explicitly. It seems Simon has awakened and is both hungry and asking for me. A very good sign after his horrible fever.”

  “Oh, that is good news.”

  John stepped further into the room.

  “And, as he has never met his niece, I was thinking that you and Elizabeth might accompany me to see him. Do you think she might want to do that?”

  “Now?”

  “If you like.”

  Susan seemed to hesitate. Perhaps she was concerned for herself about seeing Simon again after their poor meeting in London, John contemplated.

  Susan turned to Elizabeth. “Honey, would you like to go and meet your Uncle Simon now?”

  “Is he better?”

  “Yes, sweetheart, he is,” John answered.

  “I’d like that. Shall I take him a book to read?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Perhaps later. He’s still recovering and sleeping a lot. I think we might suggest that to him in a few days,” Susan said.

  “Yes. I’d like to meet him,” she said, standing down from her chair.

  “Then let’s go.” John offered his hand to Elizabeth and they headed out the door, followed by Susan.

  Chapter 22

  John knocked on the door and Simon’s attendant opened it.

  “Your Grace, he’s been asking for you.”

  “Thank you, Gracen.”

  John led the way into the room.

  The room was dimly lit, with the draperies mostly drawn shut. Simon was sitting up in the large four-poster bed, a breakfast tray across his lap. He looked up as John approached.

  “John, as you can see, I’m still in the land of the living.”

  “Yes, Simon. And you look a great deal better. You have more color.”

  “My sight is a little sensitive to light, so I have the curtains mostly closed.”

  “But can you see who I’ve brought with me?” John asked.

  Susan stepped forward with Elizabeth standing in front of her.

  “Hello, Simon. I’m very glad to see you are improving,” Susan said softly.

  “Hello, Susan. Thank you. And that must be the little Elizabeth. My, how much she looks like her mother,” Simon said.

  “Yes, she does,” John said, but without his usual wince at the reference to Annabel.

  “Hello, Uncle Simon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Elizabeth said as she stepped forward and held out her hand.

  Simon chuckled as he took her hand. “What a polite young lady you are, Miss Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth curtsied. “Thank you, Uncle. Do you like to read?”

  “I do, occasionally, but not right now. My eyesight is still impaired a little.”

  “Later then. I would be happy to find you any type of book you’d like,” Elizabeth insisted. “I’m learning to read right now, and I can’t wait until I can read all the books in Father’s library.”

  “Most ambitious.”

  “And if anyone could do it, it would be her,” Susan said.

  Simon laid his head against the bed. “Susan, it’s really good to see you. I fear we did not part well when we last met in London. And for that, I am truly sorry. It was my fault entirely.”

  “Not entirely,” Susan added. “I was taken by surprise at seeing you and I was less than gracious.”

  “Ah…” he said and briefly closed his eyes.

  “Are you tiring?” John asked.

  “A little. But it is so good to see you all. I won’t want you to leave just yet.”

  “And how is the charming Miss Cresswell?” Susan asked.

  Simon smiled a little sadly. “I’m afraid we parted company a few months ago. She found—how shall I say this politely—a
more prosperous and generous companion that better suited her lavish tastes.”

  Susan nodded but did not wish to comment.

  John stepped forward. “Simon, I know you’re still recovering, but I’d like you to think about what you wish to do when you recover. I know we’ve been estranged, but I’d greatly like us to reconcile if at all possible. Think about how I might help you and we can discuss it further later.”

  Simon reached out his hand. “John, you’ve done so much for me already. I owe you my life. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough. And I am so ashamed of the way I treated you…” He turned to Susan. “And to you, Susan, I am, also, so very sorry.”

  Susan needed to keep back the tears and didn’t speak but just nodded.

  “I think we’d better go,” John said. “You still have a long recovery. I’ll check in with you later.”

  “Thank you all for coming,” Simon said, and lay back against the pillows.

  The surveyors were still staking out the railway right of way. It would be some time before John would be able to ship the wool using the train. So his immediate responsibility was to ship the wool to market using the shipping service his family had used for many years. The shipping had been delayed by his trip to London, but now he urgently needed to make the necessary arrangements.

  He was at his desk writing out the details for the shipment when Standish came into the library.

  “The post, Your Grace,” he said offering a number letters on a silver salver.

  “Thank you, Standish.”

  John took the letters and placed them on the desk to look at later, as he wanted to finish the inventory for the shippers.

  However, one letter caught his eye and he picked it up and opened it.

  7th November, 1830

  Your Grace, the Duke of Lennox,

  It seems like months since we met, but I know it has only been a few weeks. But fondness knows no time, and I long to see you once again.

  And as you so kindly offered to host me, should I be in the region, I should like to take you up on your kind offer and ask if I might visit for a short week or two, starting this Thursday?