‘Then it’s perhaps better he shouldn’t know about me till next year. Then I’ll come to London and we can be officially introduced.’
Lisette was doubtful. ‘I shall be mixing with all sorts of people in Society,’ she said awkwardly. ‘I don’t somehow think we’ll visit the same places in London.’
Harry started to say something, then seemed to stop himself. ‘We might,’ he said with a mysterious look on his face. ‘Meanwhile, we’ll make do with what we’ve got, shall we?’
Lisette nodded. ‘I’ll come tomorrow at the same time,’ she said. ‘Goodbye, for now.’
‘Goodbye, Lisette! You’d better leave it to me to tell Tavy that you know about her and me. She’s going to be a little annoyed at first.’
Harry watched her as she sped through the trees back to his sister. He felt guilty at betraying Octavia’s secret to her pupil, and his sister would have every right to be more than a little annoyed! But he couldn’t have let Lisette carry on thinking he was interested in someone else! And she seemed to take it in her stride. She wouldn’t tell. What a darling girl she was! If he could be sure of winning Lisette Barraclough, he might listen to his father and settle down after all! The temptation to tell her who he really was, the son of the Earl of Warnham and acceptable anywhere in London, had been very strong. But he had stopped himself just in time, and he was glad. He had betrayed enough of Octavia’s secrets. Besides, it was a bit of a lark passing himself off as the brother of a poor governess! It hadn’t seemed to make any difference to Lisette. He rather thought she quite liked him. For a moment Harry was lost in happy contemplation of a rosy future with Lisette Barraclough. Then he came back to the present. As soon as he saw her he would tell Octavia that Lisette knew they were brother and sister. He mustn’t leave her in the dark. Harry went off to walk discreetly in the woods and wait for three o’clock.
But his honest intentions were foiled. Octavia didn’t appear at three. Harry waited for an hour, then had to accept she had been prevented from coming and went back to the inn.
While Harry was waiting in the woods Octavia was in the library with her employer, who had taken her there to inform her that Mrs Barraclough would be arriving at Wychford the next day. She received this news with a sense of foreboding. Nothing she had heard of the lady encouraged her to think she would approve of Edward Barraclough’s decision to dismiss Miss Froom and employ someone so much younger. Octavia was sure there would be changes, though she was not at all afraid that there was anything wrong with what she had taught the girls. In spite of Pip’s illness they had done well. So much so, that when she saw how intrigued Pip had been with the dancing lesson, she had relaxed her academic routine, and had taught them some of the ways and manners of Society. This was, of course, in direct conflict with what Edward Barraclough had told her in their first interview. But he wasn’t aware that no one could have had a more intensive, or more highly polished training than the Lady Octavia Petrie!
‘I seem to have lost your attention, Miss Petrie.’
Octavia jumped and dropped Pip’s jacket, which she had been carrying when Mr Barraclough had called her in. ‘I’m…I’m sorry,’ she said in confusion, picking it up. ‘Please excuse me! This news has come as something of a surprise.’
‘I did not know myself before an hour ago.’
‘I was going over in my mind the differences Mrs Barraclough’s arrival might make to my routine with your nieces. I imagine she would want to take over some of their training?’
‘Training? What training? Do you mean their lessons? Mrs Barraclough would hardly wish to do any teaching!’ His tone was cool. ‘I have no idea of the state of her health. She was presumably well enough to travel, but I have no further information. Unless she is seriously incapacitated she will almost certainly wish to take over the running of the house and so on, and I shall hardly be needed. After the end of the week I shall expect to spend much less time at Wychford.’
Octavia looked down. It was better so, she told herself. It must be better for everyone!
His hard grey eyes rested on her hands, which had a painfully tight hold of Pip’s jacket, and he echoed her thoughts. ‘Though my sister-in-law’s sudden arrival is inconvenient from many points of view, it has come at a good time for me. For us. I have decided that the less we see of each other the better, Octavia,’ he said quietly.
She nodded. ‘Of course. I know things can be…difficult between us. And I would not wish to embarrass you…’
‘Embarrass!’ He got up and stood gazing out of the window. ‘It’s not a question of embarrassment! Don’t think I’ve dismissed what I feel for you so lightly! But I refuse to insult you by asking you to be my mistress, and, since I have no intention at the moment to marry, any other relationship is not possible. I intend to avoid you as much as I can. It is the only rational solution.’
Octavia felt a sudden surge of rage. Any other relationship is not possible…I intend to avoid you… Had she been the governess he thought her, this would have been cruel! No discussion, no regret, no attempt to comfort. Only a calm, rational decision, taken without reference to any feelings the poor creature might have herself. No options for governesses! The man was a monster!
For a moment she was strongly tempted to throw his ‘rational solution’ in his face, tell him who she really was, that she was more than his equal in rank, and probably more familiar than he was with the upper echelons of true Society! What was more, she owned the house he was living in! But two things stopped her. One was that though she was proud of her breeding, it was not in her nature to boast of it. But what moved her far more powerfully was the idea that he might misunderstand her motives for doing so. He might even think that she was pleading with him, hoping that, with the barrier of rank removed, he would declare his love for her on the spot. And that would be intolerable! She would not do it, not on any account! He could wait till he met her in London, and then he could grovel!
The thought of Edward Barraclough grovelling to anyone was so absurd that her lips twitched in an involuntary smile. He had turned round in time to see it.
‘That amuses you?’ he said.
‘Not at all, sir. I think you are being very…sensible.’ Try as she might, she could not help letting a touch of bitterness in her voice.
‘My dear, I wish—’
‘There is really no need for another word, sir. May I go?’ she asked, standing up with determination.
He lifted his shoulders and let them drop. ‘Of course,’ he said sombrely.
Octavia was so angry and unhappy that she had difficulty in keeping her patience with the girls for the rest of the day. At dinner she sat quietly, carefully keeping strictly to what a governess might be expected to say and nothing more. It was not an easy occasion. Edward’s face was like a thundercloud, and Lisette was not behaving normally, either. She was always quiet, but there was an air of abstraction about her that Octavia would have found strange if she had not been so preoccupied with her own thoughts. Pip had been allowed to join them, and she, too, was quieter than usual. The prospect of her aunt’s arrival had subdued even her lively spirit. After dinner Octavia saw Pip to bed, then pleaded a headache and escaped with relief to her own room.
But not very long after there was a tap on the door and Lisette came in. ‘I’m so sorry about your head,’ she said. ‘I asked Mrs Dutton to make up a tisane. It’s here. It might help.’
Octavia was sitting in her chair by the window. She took the tray and put it down on the table. ‘Thank you, dear,’ she said, making an effort to smile. ‘You’re such a thoughtful girl, Lisette.’
‘Miss Petrie, I must talk to you. I have a confession to make.’
Octavia shut her eyes. It probably wasn’t anything serious, Lisette was too well behaved. But she had had enough of crises today.
‘What is it?’ she said, trying to sound sympathetic.
‘I like your brother a lot,’ said Lisette. ‘Too much!’
Octavia’s eyes fl
ew open, her headache forgotten. ‘What?’ she asked. ‘Say that again, Lisette, I can’t have heard you properly. You like…?’
‘Your brother Harry. I like him. And I ought not to.’
Octavia shut her eyes again. It was too much! She really did not want this!
‘Miss Petrie?’ Lisette’s voice was worried.
It was not going to go away by itself. Octavia pulled herself together and opened her eyes. ‘My brother, Harry,’ she said slowly. ‘You’ve met him? When? How?’
‘I thought you knew! He said he was going to tell you when he saw you this afternoon.’
‘I didn’t see him this afternoon. Lisette, are you telling me that you met my brother and didn’t say a word to me about it?’ said Octavia, beginning to get really angry. She had thought she had had enough for today. And now even Harry had let her down. She was surprised and disappointed. How dared he approach Lisette! And, having done so, how could he have betrayed his sister to her!
‘I met him yesterday when I was gathering leaves in the drive. It was an accident. I didn’t know then that he was your brother, of course, though he seemed very nice.’
‘I’ll have something to say to that brother of mine,’ Octavia began ominously.
‘No, don’t blame him! He was polite and perfectly respectful. Though I don’t suppose Edward would approve…’
‘I am quite certain that Edward wouldn’t approve!’ said Octavia with complete conviction. ‘What’s more, nor do I, Lisette!’
Lisette gazed at her in astonishment. ‘I thought you’d be pleased! Are you saying he’s not good enough? I was afraid Edward might think so, but not you.’
‘That has nothing to do with it! Even if…if Harry were the…the son of an earl, I still shouldn’t approve of your meeting him like this. It is not right.’
‘Well…that’s just it, Miss Petrie. There’s something I have to ask you about. Something I must confess.’
‘You mean…this wasn’t what you wanted to confess?’ Octavia passed a hand over her brow. ‘What else is there? What is it, Lisette?’
‘Do you think it’s very wrong of me to like Lieutenant Petrie? Or wicked of me to want to meet him again when I’m really betrothed to someone else?’
‘Betrothed to someone else?’ Octavia forgot her headache. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Before I came here I was promised to someone on Antigua, Miss Petrie. It was my father’s last wish that I should marry him.’
‘I…I don’t understand,’ Octavia said carefully. ‘I thought your parents wanted you to come to England?’
‘They did! I don’t understand it either! But Ricardo assured me he had spoken to Papa the night before he died, and that Papa wished me to marry him straight away. He even showed me a letter from Papa. Do you think my father’s last wishes ought to be sacred? Ricardo said they ought to be.’
‘I…I think your father would want you to be happy, Lisette. Did he tell you himself that he wanted you to marry this Ricardo?’
‘No. I thought he wanted me to come to England, as you said. That’s what Edward and Uncle Henry say, and they’re my guardians now. It was just the letter…’
Octavia paused. ‘I don’t think you should give too much importance to that letter,’ she said slowly. ‘You have only Ricardo’s word for when it was written, or what was said that night. If he was desperately in love with you, he might have stretched the truth a little in order to persuade you to defy your uncles. He knew you wouldn’t have done so otherwise. But…what about you? What do you want?’
Lisette shook her head. ‘I don’t know! I would have married Ricardo on Antigua. But now…. I don’t know. It’s different here. Do you think I’m betrothed?’
‘That’s easy to answer! I’m quite sure you aren’t. You’re in the care of your uncles until you are twenty-one, and you can’t be betrothed without their consent!’
Lisette broke into a smile. ‘So you don’t think I’m wicked for wanting to see your brother again?’
‘No, I don’t. But I don’t think you should meet him, all the same.’ Octavia leaned forward. ‘You’ve asked for my opinion, Lisette, and I shall give it to you. Your guardians are quite right. It would be very wrong to let you get too fond of anyone, before you’ve had a chance to sample the world outside. I assure you, it’s not a question of social sphere, or eligibility, or previous promises. Anyone who loved you would do all they could to save you from making such a mistake.’
Lisette nodded and looked down. ‘I’m not to see Lieutenant Petrie again.’
‘Not before you go to London. After you’ve been introduced to Society, it might be different. You might meet him then. It’s only a few months away.’
‘But…it isn’t very likely, is it? We shan’t move in the same circles.’
Octavia took Lisette’s hands in hers. ‘I’m sure you will meet my brother in London! Trust me. But until then I want your word that you will not try to see him here again. Do I have it?’
She waited until Lisette gave a reluctant nod, then went on, ‘Thank you. And just think, Lisette. You told me once that when your uncle has made up his mind he doesn’t usually change it. If he should catch you with Harry at the moment, I’m sure he would be so angry that he would banish Harry, and forbid you to see him ever again. Is that what you want?’ She waited while this sank in, then continued, ‘Of course you don’t. But once you are out, after the beginning of the Season, he might be more prepared to listen to you. Be patient, Lisette. Things might turn out better than you can hope.’
‘Can’t I even say goodbye?’
‘I’ll see Harry and explain. It’s really too risky, my dear. Your aunt could arrive at any time tomorrow, and you will be expected to be there to welcome her. Besides, there’ll be more people about. I’ll slip down to the inn tomorrow morning to see Harry and make sure he understands. Don’t look like that, Lisette! Remember my promise!’
The next morning was full of disturbance and bustle. Mrs Dutton was seriously put out at Mrs Barraclough’s sudden decision to come earlier than expected to Wychford, and spent all morning organising extra staff, discussing menus and making sure the best bedroom was ready for her new mistress. As she came out of her room, Octavia was surprised to find the housekeeper urging two of the men to take care with a large chair that was being carried up the narrow stairs to the room above Pip’s.
‘I believe it belonged to Mrs Carstairs, Miss Petrie,’ explained the housekeeper. ‘Mr Barraclough says it was in the top tower room when he first came to visit Mrs Carstairs, and he wants it taken back there. Apparently she spent most of her time up there when she was still well enough. The chair’s an ugly old thing, but I’m told she loved it. She had it brought down to her bedchamber when she was ill. But it can’t stay there. Mrs Barraclough is going to use that room, and the master doesn’t think his sister-in-law would like it. So the chair is to go upstairs again.’ From Mrs Dutton’s expression she could well have done without the extra work!
So that room on the top floor of the tower had been a favourite of her aunt’s? Octavia could well imagine it! She had only once taken a quick look inside it, and had been very intrigued. It was a strange room with a slanting ceiling and windows on nearly every side. The views were wonderful, and the tables and shelves were crammed with objects of all kinds—books, pictures, miniatures, ornaments, souvenirs…She had promised herself that she would go back one day to have a better look at it, but the room was normally locked, and Edward Barraclough kept the key. She had somehow never found a way of asking him for it. Today was obviously not the right time. Besides, she had things of her own to do, including a visit to the inn for her talk with Harry.
It was later than Octavia had hoped when she finally managed to slip away from the house to the inn, where she asked for Mr Smith. To her relief the inn was empty of company and she was alone as she waited for her brother in its small parlour. Harry had clearly not been expecting a visitor so early. He came downstairs, shrugging on h
is coat and, at the same time, making a vain effort to tie his cravat.
Octavia shook her head at him. ‘Where’s your man?’ she demanded. ‘He should be doing this!’
‘Don’t be a fool, Tavy! I’m in disguise, remember? I sent Crocker back to Ashcombe! What the devil are you doing here at this hour?’
‘Here, you’d better let me do that,’ she said, looking with a critical eye at his efforts. ‘I can talk while I do it. I can’t stay long. They’re expecting Mrs Barraclough today, and I ought to be there. But I had to see you. Why did you have to tell Lisette that you were my brother?’
‘She thought I was your lover, or something! I couldn’t let her believe that, Tavy! She would have been put off before she’d even begun to know me! I was sure you’d understand.’
‘You shouldn’t have been speaking to her at all, Harry Petrie! But that’s water under the bridge now. There are more important things to say. I’ve come to stop you from making a big mistake.’
‘If you mean to warn me against Lisette, then I tell you you’re wasting your time! She’s the loveliest thing I’ve seen in my life, and I intend to marry her!’ Harry said belligerently.
‘And I wish you good luck in that, though you might have competition! But you’ll still need her uncle’s consent before you could—or do you intend to fly off to Gretna with her?’
‘Of course not, dammit! What an improper suggestion!’
‘Then you’d better listen to me. I know Edward Barraclough. He’s very protective of Lisette, and would never consider you suitable if he found you were having clandestine meetings with her. And I wouldn’t blame him! She’s only sixteen years old, for goodness’ sake! I’m surprised at you. What were you thinking of?’
‘We met by chance the first time. And then…It was the only way I could get to know her, Tavy!’
‘Rubbish! It would sink every hope you might have about the girl if her uncle were to find out. Harry, I mean what I say. You mustn’t try to see Lisette again, not here in Wychford. She’s too young and too innocent to know any better. But you—you’re certainly old enough to know what you’re doing, and it’s wrong! What sort of man will Edward Barraclough think you are if he finds out that you’re persuading his precious niece to misbehave like this?’ Harry, looking slightly shame-faced, said he hadn’t thought of it that way.
A Very Unusual Governess Page 13
