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

by Hanna Hamilton

  Susan nodded.

  The Christmas tree was being set up in the largest sitting room. Aunt Clarissa was directing the staff in the decorations. There were numerous ornaments standing by in boxes for the tree, and the air was scented by the pine boughs being woven into garlands for decorating the fireplaces and the windows.

  “It’s going to be lovely,” Susan said to Clarissa.

  “It’s been too long since we’ve had a Christmas like this,” she said, “For years after Annabel’s death, Christmas was only modestly celebrated. But now, you are here breathing new life into the house. And I know Elizabeth will love the celebration.”

  “Do you have a head count yet for Christmas dinner?” Susan asked.

  “More than we at first anticipated,” Clarissa said. “John has invited Elizabeth’s maternal grandparents, and now your parents are coming as well. Did you invite Katherine?”

  “I did but she’ll spend Christmas this year with her family. She felt since this is the first Christmas after Daniel’s been institutionalized…”

  “Of course.”

  “And we have Simon and Miss Fitzwilliam…”

  Susan leaned in and said softly. “I think you can call her Fitz now.”

  Clarissa looked at Susan askance. “I’ve still not fully assimilated the idea of Miss Fitzwilliam as a niece-in-law—if there even is such a term.”

  “I think she would be just the wife of your nephew. I’m afraid you must soon call her either Mrs. Chamberlain or Fiona.”

  “We shall see.” Clarissa went over to a staff member and directed to start trimming the tree once it was securely positioned.

  She came back to Susan. “It’s too bad there won’t be any other children amongst the guests. It’s sad that Elizabeth will be the only child.”

  That gave Susan an idea. “How do you think John would react to having some of the villagers with children to the dinner?”

  “Hmm,” Clarissa said. “I’m not certain about that. I think both our guests and the villagers would feel uncomfortable together at table.”

  “Then what about a separate event? We could have our scheduled noon dinner with family and then, in the evening, have the villagers—who are, after all, John’s workers—come for a separate celebration with their children?”

  Clarissa considered that. “I think that’s a splendid idea, but it shouldn’t be too late if there are children—too many sleepy-heads after a busy Christmas day.”

  “I’ll talk to John about it,” Susan offered.

  “Don’t miss the back of the tree,” Clarissa spoke out to several staff members.

  Just then the sitting room door opened and Fitz came in. She was dressed simply and was wearing considerably less makeup that was usual for her.

  “You wished to see me?” she asked as she came up to Susan.

  “Oh, yes. Are you free to chat?” Susan asked.

  “Of course. Your wish is my command,” she answered.

  Susan was unsure how to take that comment. Was she being sarcastic? But she chose not to read anything into it.

  “Let’s find a quieter place to talk.”

  Susan led Fitz to an adjoining sitting room and they sat by the fire.

  Susan watched Fitz carefully. This was going to be a defining moment in their relationship. If the old, catty Fitz was still evident she didn’t see how she could accept Fitz as a teacher for the school, no matter how much Simon might desire it.

  “First, I haven’t had the opportunity to congratulate you on your engagement,” Susan said.

  Fitz smiled simply. “Thank you, Susan, that means a lot to me—especially coming from Simon’s ex-fiancé.”

  “We are to be family now.”

  Fitz lowered her eyes, and said, “I want to apologize to you.”

  “For what?”

  “I saw you at first as a rival. There was a time when I hoped that His Grace and I might develop a romantic attachment. But he let it be known that was not to be.”

  “So you went after Simon,” Susan said a little unkindly.

  “I know it must seem like that. But that is not the case. I was hesitant to pursue him, even though I found him to be most sympathetic.”

  “Oh, Fitz, I saw you flirting openly with him as soon as he recovered from his illness.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I admit to that, but only because he so clearly encouraged it.”

  “And you are sincere in your affections to him?” Susan asked.

  Fitz sighed and teared up. “My dear Susan, I know it must be difficult for you to believe me. I’ve not treated you well. But dear Simon has touched me in a way no other man ever has. He sees me as I really am. Not the brass and brazen society hanger-on that you’ve seen, but the frightened little girl holding on to any shred of security she might latch on to.

  “Susan, I have no family. And I’ve had to fight my way up the social ladder, trading upon tenuous connections and begging favors just to survive—with the hope of one day finding a home. And Simon has finally offered me that home. Please don’t judge me too harshly.”

  That gave Susan a great deal to think about. How quickly one could rush to judgment she realized. She could see she was fully capable of just such judgment herself.

  “Thank you for telling me that. It can’t have been easy for you,” Susan said. “From now on I’ll endeavor to see you for who you are as well. Forgive me if I’ve been judgmental.”

  “And forgive me for treating you unkindly when we first met,” Fitz said.

  Susan felt it was time to get down to the business at hand. “Well then, Simon tells me you wish to teach at our school. Is that so?”

  “Yes, I long to be an accepted and valuable part of this family. I wish to help in any way I can. And it seems like the school would be the best way for me to do that.”

  “But do you have any experience with teaching—or dealing with children?”

  Fitz shook her head. “I don’t. I know that might preclude me from participating, but if there’s any way you could see to include me in your project I’d be most grateful.”

  “I’ll need to think about it. But why teaching? Simon is to be Headmaster and, as his wife, you’ll be intimately involved with his work at the school. Wouldn’t that be enough?”

  “I do want to support him in all of his endeavors, but I also want my own responsibilities. Simon tells me you’re to introduce new methods of teaching. Might I not train under you and apply your principles as you direct?”

  “Perhaps. We’re still many months away from opening the school. Work with me closely in the meantime and we’ll see how well you like what we’re doing. If by the time we open the school you still want to be involved, I’ll consider it.”

  “Excellent,” Fitz said, beaming. “Oh, and Susan, if you don’t mind. I’d like to be called Fiona from now on. Fitz belongs to a person from that past that I no longer recognize.”

  Susan laughed. “Gladly.”

  Elizabeth was seated on Susan’s lap in the window seat. She was leaning back against Susan as she read aloud to her. Susan would occasionally point to a word and ask Elizabeth if she knew it. Mostly she did.

  The story was about mother and baby goats. Elizabeth looked up at Susan and asked, “After you marry Father, can I call you mommy?”

  Susan looked down at her. “Is that what you want?”

  Elizabeth nodded emphatically. “Father has been so sad for so long. I’m really glad to see him happy again.”

  “Yes, he seems to be. But I know he’s also happy because you’ve been learning so quickly. He wants you to be happy and healthy and smart and beautiful, and forever his darling daughter.”

  “That’s because you’re such a good teacher.”

  “Thank you, for saying that, my dear.”

  “Will I be able to go to the new school when it opens next year?”

  “Maybe. Your father and I will need to discuss that.”

  “I want to be with other children. It gets lonely o
nly seeing Sara and Patrick once a week.”

  Susan nodded. “I’ve yet to speak to your father, but I’ve been thinking about inviting the workers from the village and their children to come here Christmas day for a party in the afternoon. What do you think about that?”

  “Oh, yes. That’d be lovely. Will there be games?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She then gave her a kiss on top of her head. “Now then, let’s see what other trouble those baby goats are going to get themselves into.”

  Susan and Clarissa were enjoying their afternoon tea when Clarissa looked up from her darning and said, “Susan, there’s something else we need to discuss.”

  “Of course.”

  “You have a wedding coming up. Have you thought about a gown?”

  That surprised Susan for she’d not given any consideration to that yet. “Oh, I still have my wedding dress from when I was engaged to Simon.”

  Clarissa tsked. “Susan this is to be a wedding for a duchess. I think we’ll need something befitting your new station, don’t you?”

  “I keep forgetting I’m to be a duchess.”

  “Yes, and we need to address that.”

  “How exactly do you mean?”

  “I know this might sound absurd, but you need to have some lessons in becoming a duchess.”

  Susan laughed. “Is there a school for such occasions?”

  Clarissa smiled. “Most young ladies who become duchesses are born and bred into the tradition. They do not need tutoring. However, you, my dear, are going to need to learn the manners, forms, and traditions that go with the title. And I have set myself the task of helping you learn what you need to know.”

  “Then you shall have a very willing and able pupil. Even a teacher must learn from time to time.”

  “Excellent. Then at the first opportunity, you and I shall go to my dressmaker and we will begin the process of constructing your gown.”

  Chapter 30

  It was Christmas morning, and Susan couldn’t believe she was up before Elizabeth who was still asleep. In her family, the children were always awake before the parents and were to be found sitting in front of the Christmas tree admiring what Father Christmas had brought them during the night.

  Now, Susan leaned in and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek.

  “It’s Christmas morning,” Susan said, as Elizabeth opened her eyes, stretched, and threw back the covers.

  “It’s the day of the party,” Elizabeth squealed. “I can’t wait.”

  “But first we have the family breakfast and then we need to see what Father Christmas brought to all of us,” Susan said.

  “Uncle Simon said he would make his famous eggnog but I don’t know what eggnog is. Is it nice?”

  “I’ve not had his, but I like what my mother makes.”

  Susan dressed Elizabeth in her especially made Christmas dress.

  “Now, don’t you look lovely? Shall we go down to breakfast?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Breakfast was scheduled for eight o’clock. But there had been a few early risers and quite a few other guests who had slept in, so breakfast ended up being a haphazard affair. But eventually, everyone ended up in the grand sitting room with the beautiful Christmas tree.

  Gifts were exchanged, cigars smoked, Simon’s eggnog served and much conversation.

  John searched under the Christmas for a particular gift and brought it over to Susan.

  “And this is for you,” he said as he sat next to her on the loveseat.

  “Oh, my darling, I didn’t think about Christmas gifts for us. I only provided a few for Elizabeth.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  “But I could probably scrounge up a whittled block or a slingshot from the toys in the schoolroom.”

  “Oh, a slingshot sounds splendid. But go ahead open yours now,” he insisted.

  Susan unwrapped the gift and found a flat velvet box. Inside was a stunning diamond, ruby and emerald necklace set in filigree platinum. She picked it up and held it in front of her.

  “Oh, John, this is unbelievably beautiful.”

  “It’s the Belvedere Necklace. It’s been worn by every Lennox Duchess since the inception of the Dukedom. And now it is to be yours.”

  Susan teared up. “John…” she said, returning the necklace to its box, and taking his hand.

  “I give it to you now as I want you to wear it at our wedding. I thought it might influence what gown you might wear.”

  “My ever practical Duke,” Susan said laughing. “Thank you, my darling.” And she kissed his cheek.

  Elizabeth came running over with another gift she had found under the tree with her name on it.

  “Mommy, mommy, look what I found,” she said squirming up onto the loveseat between John and Susan. But she stopped and looked at Susan. “I called you mommy. I hope you don’t mind. I can’t wait until the wedding.”

  Susan looked at John, and he nodded.

  “That’s fine, my dear,” Susan said, and then turned back to the gift. “What is it, do you think?

  Elizabeth made short work of unwrapping the gift. It was a riding outfit.

  “Your father and I agreed it was time for you to have a pony and learn to ride.”

  “Then I have a pony too?” Elizabeth squealed.

  “Yes, you do,” John said.

  “Can I go see it now?” she asked, sliding down off the loveseat. “Can I? Can I, please?”

  “If you like,” John said as he rose and took her by the hand. He turned to Susan. “Better now or she’ll pester us all day.”

  Susan nodded and smiled.

  Elizabeth had already run out of the room and John followed.

  The workers and their children started arriving at three o’clock. The party was held in the ballroom. John had arranged for a local band to play and there would be dancing for the adults and party games for the children.

  Clarissa had set up a Christmas tree at one end of the room, and the stage for the band was at the other. Along one side, were tables laid with food, cider and beer—and a children’s table with lemonade, cookies and Christmas cake.

  Elizabeth had changed into her riding outfit, against Susan’s wishes, and scanned the arrivals for Sara and Patrick. When she saw them she rushed over, grabbing them by the hands and rushing over to John.

  “Can I take them to see Scrawny?” she asked taking hold of John’s sleeve.

  “Who’s Scrawny?”

  “My pony. I named her when I heard one of the stable hands call her that.”

  John laughed. “Scrawny, eh? She’s yours, so you can call her what you like. But no, we can’t go see the pony now. You have guests and you are a hostess.”

  “I am? A hostess?”

  “Why don’t you get Aunt Clarissa and the two of you can organize some games for your guests.”

  Just then, the band started playing and the villagers, previously milling around, started to dance.

  Several of the mothers who had spoken with Susan previously about their concerns for the village came over to address her.

  “Your Grace,” the first mother started.

  Susan laughed. “I’m not Your Grace, just yet. I don’t think I’ll ever be anyone but Miss Susan. And welcome to Haverford House.”

  “Thank you. And we just wanted to say how grateful we are to see the work on the school beginning. The children are so much looking forward to when the school opens next year.”

  “And me as well.”

  Another mother spoke, “Mister Simon came through the village the other week and talked to us about the improvements we spoke to you about. Are there really going to be the changes you promised?”

  “Eventually. We’re focusing on the school first and then, one by one, we’ll begin to work on the other projects.”

  The first mother turned to the others and nodded. Another mother came forward and held up a large parcel.

  “This is for Miss Elizabeth,” the mother said. �
��We made it during the autumn for her winter warmth.”

  Susan was surprised and looked for Elizabeth who was engaged in pin the tail on the donkey with some of the other children.

  “May I open this for her? The children seem to be making merry at the moment?”

  The mothers nodded and Susan opened the parcel and found the most beautiful handmade quilt.

  “Oh, this is beautiful. And what lovely, delicate stitching. You are a most accomplished group of women. I know she’s going to love this and I’ll put it on her bed this very evening.”

  The music stopped playing and John went to the stage to address the guests.

  “Dear friends, I want to welcome all of you to Haverford House. I believe this Christmas day, we are establishing a new tradition. This is a party worth repeating each year.” A cheer rose up from the guests. “And soon my family will be enlarged by the addition of my beautiful, soon to be wife, Susan—the new Duchess of Lennox. So I have a great deal to celebrate and I hope you will all celebrate this happy event with me.

  “I’ll say no more other than to have a jolly time, enjoy yourselves and a Merry Christmas to you all.”

  So far it had been a blustery early March. Susan has shortened her morning walks as she really didn’t enjoy the cold, biting wind. And, as the wedding was only a week away, she fervently hoped the weather would improve by then.

  Susan was excited because her cousin Jessica and her husband were arriving today. It was a week early, but Susan wanted to spend some alone time with Jessica before it became too hectic, closer to the wedding.

  At the moment, Susan was trying on the wedding gown for the first time as the dressmaker made minor adjustments. They were in Clarissa’s room.

  “Put the necklace on and let me see how it looks with the gown,” Clarissa asked.

  The dressmaker took the necklace out of the box and placed it around Susan’s neck. Clarissa gasped.

  “Does it look nice?” Susan asked as she turned toward the standing mirror to see the effect for herself.

  “My dear, it is stunning.”

  Susan studied the look from various angles.

  Elizabeth had been sitting on the bed and she got down and ran over to hug Susan.