The Rags-to-Riches Governess--A Cinderella Regency Romance

by Janice Preston

  Leah forced herself to smile back, but her heart was heavier than she had ever known it. She would have a hard task to hide her anguish from Dolph and the boys until she left, but she was determined to try.

  * * *

  ‘No! For the last time, you cannot ride the ponies home.’

  ‘But... Papa...pleeeease.’ Nicky gazed up at Dolph with huge, beseeching eyes that grew more teary by the second. ‘We will be careful, won’t we, Stevie?’

  Stevie scuffed his boot on the ground. ‘I do not want to. I want to go in the carriage with Papa.’

  Thank God one of my sons is biddable. How does Leah cope with this?

  The thought of the governess stirred a conflicting mix of emotions, the same mix that had kept him awake long into the night—desire, first and uppermost; admiration and gratitude for how she had cared for his children; shame that he had taken advantage of her. Again. And dismay that the first woman to stir his blood since Rebecca’s death happened to be a woman in his employ and therefore under his protection.

  I must not lose control again. I cannot risk driving her away... The boys would be distraught if they lost Leah. She’s like a mother to them.

  He directed a stern look at his youngest son. ‘You heard your brother, Nicholas. Get in the carriage.’

  Nicky’s lower lip thrust forward. Dolph cast a pleading look at George, who grimaced and shrugged before climbing into the carriage. Stevie followed him, leaving Dolph facing his recalcitrant younger son. Rescue came in the form of Frinton.

  ‘Now, then, Master Nicky. You do as your father tells you, and less of your nonsense. That there pony ain’t fit enough to be rid one mile, let alone four—they’ll both find it hard enough tied behind the carriage. Their little legs’ll have to work twice as fast to keep up. Now. Less of your stubbornness. You’ll have plenty of time to ride once they’re back at the Court, all safe and sound.’

  Dolph watched, amazed, as Nicky flushed, hung his head and trailed over to the carriage to clamber up the steps. He turned to Frinton.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You was much the same when you was that age, milord. Far too full of what you wanted and no stopping to think of the wisdom or rights of your demands. And you was as easy to steer. You might be experienced with bargaining with politicians and the like, but I’ll tell you this for free. You never bargain with young’uns. Never. Or sure as certain you’ll be making a rod for your own back.’

  Having delivered his homily, Frinton climbed up to the box seat, leaving Dolph to join George and the boys in the carriage.

  ‘I feel sick,’ said Nicky.

  ‘The carriage,’ said Dolph, ‘has not even begun to move. You cannot possibly feel sick.’

  Nicky crossed his arms, lower lip once again protruding. ‘I don’t like being inside. I want to drive with Travers and Frinton.’

  ‘Well, you can’t.’ Dolph tried very hard to control his exasperation. ‘We will be home before you know it. Close your eyes and try to sleep.’

  George, he noted, would be of no help, for he had already tipped his hat over his eyes and stretched his legs across the carriage, giving a good impression of a man taking a nap. The slight smirk on his mouth suggested, though, that he was listening to, and enjoying, this test of Dolph’s fathering skills.

  Nicky wriggled in his seat, kicking his legs, which reached nowhere near the floor. His lip protruded further. ‘Not tired. Get sick if I close my eyes.’

  ‘Look, Nicky. Look at the river. There’s a heron. Can you see it?’

  Stevie cast an anxious glance at Dolph, whose heart clenched. He prayed that, by riding out together daily, Stevie would relax a little more in his company. He still seemed so formal—very different from the boy he saw interacting with Leah. As for Nicky... Dolph heaved a silent sigh. Before today, he’d found Nicky the easier of his sons to understand, but he couldn’t fathom why his younger son was hell-bent on testing his patience today. He should be happy at getting a pony of his own but, if anything, his behaviour had worsened as the afternoon wore on. Dolph now regretted not bringing Leah with them although, after the night before, he was also relieved not to face an hour’s journey in an enclosed carriage with her.

  The memory of that kiss set his blood pounding and his lips tingling. If only she weren’t his governess. If only she were a lady of his world...then he might... But no. He could not risk it. Rebecca had been so unhappy with him she had taken her own life, and he had failed to see any warning signs. How could he risk putting any other woman through the same? Especially one he was beginning to care about.

  At least Stevie’s distraction appeared to have worked, for both boys now knelt on the seats, peering out of the window at the river snaking through the meadow alongside the road. Dolph sighed and closed his eyes, trying without success to quieten the thoughts racing around inside his head as a headache threatened to take hold. He felt more out of his depth than ever. He had not even realised children could be so different. In the past, children had, in his head, been lumped together into one homogenous mass. But his sons were little people—individuals—and he was determined to get to know their characters. He’d missed so much of their earlier years, distracted by politics, business and the estate. He’d allowed anything and everything, it seemed, to take precedence over family. He’d barely even noticed his children, other than as a natural step in his life. He’d gone to school and university, taken over the title and estate when his father died; married; had children. He’d followed the natural order of life for a man in his position, but he now felt ashamed of his neglect of his entire family. If he’d paid more attention...if he’d spent more time with them... Rebecca might still be alive.

  He’d been a bad husband. Not cruel. Not even mean. But careless and dismissive. Rebecca had deserved better. And instead of staying to comfort his children after their mother died, he’d left them in the care of a stranger, more concerned with dealing with his own grief by distracting himself with the negotiations in Vienna. It was fortunate Leah had proved such a good woman. The children clearly loved her.

  At least he’d got that bit right, although it was only by luck, not judgement.

  Well, it might be too late to make amends to Rebecca, but his relationship with his children was getting better. And now they would have their own ponies, meaning he could spend more time with them outside the schoolroom. Which meant he need see even less of Leah. It was for the best. He must not risk his behaviour becoming a reason for her to resign.

  He would not allow his children to suffer another loss in their lives.

  ‘Papa?’

  He opened his eyes. ‘Yes, Nicky?’

  ‘I don’t feel well.’

  Dolph studied his son. It was true. His face did have a greenish pallor... Dolph rapped on the carriage ceiling with his cane and it rocked to a halt.

  ‘Papaaaa...’

  ‘Hell and damnation!’ Dolph sprang to the door, flung it wide, jumped down—straight into a patch of mud at the side of the road, into which his booted feet sank up to the ankles. ‘Grrr!’ He tugged his feet out of the cloying mud.

  ‘Dolph!’ George’s shout was urgent.

  He spun around, took in Nicky’s face with one look, grabbed him unceremoniously under the arms and swung him out of the vehicle.

  ‘Bleurghhhh...’

  All down the front of Dolph’s greatcoat. The sour stench of vomit reached his nostrils and curdled his own stomach, but at least Nicky had not soiled his own clothing. About to yell at Nicky—in pure reflex—Dolph managed to bite his tongue in time.

  Tears streamed down his son’s face as he sobbed, and Dolph couldn’t even hug him to reassure him, or they would both be covered in sick. Then Frinton was there. He took Nicky and put him down on the road.

  ‘Best take that coat off, milord, or you’ll all be puking with the stink. There’s a rug up top. Hi, Tra
vers. Throw down the spare rug, will you?’

  The coachman did as bid. Dolph stripped off his greatcoat, handing it to Frinton, who grabbed a stick from the verge and scraped off the worst of the vomit before folding the coat carefully, with the stain on the outside.

  ‘No sense in spreading it over more of the coat than necessary,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Mrs Frampton’ll soon have that sponged clean.’

  Dolph crouched down next to Nicky and put his hands on the trembling shoulders. The next minute, Nicky pressed his warm little body into Dolph’s chest, and his arms wrapped around his father’s neck.

  ‘Want Miss Thame,’ he sobbed.

  ‘Shhh. Yes. I know.’ Dolph stood up, still holding Nicky in his arms. ‘You shall have her soon. But we must get home first, Nicky. It won’t take long, and the next road will be less bumpy than this one.’ Dolph looked up at Frinton. ‘Have you any water?’

  A canteen of water was produced, and Nicky was persuaded to rinse out his mouth before sipping a little.

  ‘Master Nicky can ride up front with me and Travers,’ said Frinton. ‘How about it, Master Nicky?’

  Nicky’s head shook vehemently. ‘Wanna stay with Papa.’

  Dolph’s heart lurched, and joy spread through him like warm honey. ‘Then you shall,’ he said.

  He climbed into the carriage and, as he settled in his seat with Nicky on his lap, he noticed George watching him with an indefinable look on his face.

  ‘Never thought to see you so...fatherly,’ he said. ‘You’re a lucky man, with three such fine children.’

  ‘I am,’ said Dolph. And was surprised to find he meant it. Maybe, he thought, as he cuddled Nicky, lying slumped against his chest, I can become a good father after all.

  ‘Papa?’

  ‘Yes, Stevie?’

  ‘What’s hell and damnation?’

  Dolph caught George’s eye and saw the wretch trying hard not to laugh. Maybe he still had some work to do to become a good father.

  ‘It’s a special grown-up phrase. It’s not for children to use, so you must not say it. Do you hear me, Stevie? Miss Thame will not be happy if she hears you repeat it.’

  Nicky stirred, lifting his head so his hair tickled Dolph’s chin.

  ‘Hell and damnation,’ he murmured under his breath.

  ‘Nicholas...’ Dolph put as much warning as he could muster into his son’s name.

  ‘Sorry, Papa.’

  Nicky relaxed again, and Dolph breathed a sigh of relief. Not long now till they reached home. He was exhausted. His gaze settled on his older son, sitting quietly and obediently as he watched the passing scenery. Stevie’s lips moved, and Dolph would swear he mouthed, Hell and damnation.

  He felt the press of failure once again. What sort of a father used such bad language in front of his young sons?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dolph could see Leah waiting at the window when the carriage pulled up outside the house, and relief flooded him. By the time the steps were down, she was outside, her shawl wrapped tightly around her.

  Her amazing eyes widened when Dolph emerged from the carriage with Nicky still in his arms and the carriage rug around his shoulders. There had been no further unscheduled stops—for which Dolph was profoundly grateful—and Nicky had, in fact, fallen asleep. He now roused, his eyes drowsy as he looked around. Then he tensed, and wriggled, as he saw Leah.

  ‘Miss Thame! I puked over Papa!’ He wriggled harder, and Dolph gave up trying to hold him, putting him down on the ground.

  ‘Oh, no. Poor Papa.’

  Her eyes danced with amusement, the low-lying winter sun catching them and making them sparkle like the sea on a bright day. Dolph’s pulse kicked, and his heart jolted in his chest. Desperate to disguise his reaction and determined to stick to his vow to allow no repeat of last night’s intimacy, Dolph raised one eyebrow in the aristocratic manner he had learned would repress all but the most insensitive individual. Leah bit her lip, but the sparkle of amusement remained in her gaze and Dolph realised how good it felt to be teased, and how nice it was to see Leah in such a light-hearted mood. He recalled her mission today and he hoped her visit to Miss Strong would mean no more sleepless nights.

  ‘I came out to find out if your trip had been a success,’ Leah went on. She nodded towards the two ponies tethered to the rear of the carriage. ‘I can see it was.’

  ‘Come on, Miss Thame.’ Stevie grabbed the governess’s hand and pulled her towards the ponies. ‘The bay one is mine. He is bigger than Nicky’s ’cause I am the biggest.’

  ‘He is very handsome, Stevie. What is his name?’

  ‘He is actually a she,’ said Dolph as he joined them. ‘And she is called Dolly.’ He caught Steven’s grimace at the name. Dolph sympathised—it was not a name for a budding knight’s charger. ‘But she will not mind if you change it to a more appropriate name, I am sure, Stevie.’

  ‘I want to change my pony’s name too.’ Nicky pushed his way between his brother and Miss Thame and pointed at his pony, a grey. ‘She is called Prudence. It’s a silly name.’

  ‘Well, I agree,’ said Leah. ‘No self-respecting young man would want to ride a pony called Prudence.’

  ‘What would you like to call them, boys?’ Dolph asked. ‘You can choose.’

  ‘Ummmmmm.’ The two boys looked at one another, clearly bereft of ideas.

  ‘There is no hurry,’ Leah said. ‘It is cold out here, and you do not want your ponies to catch a chill now they have stopped moving. Why not let Frinton get them all warm in their stalls with some nice hay to eat, and we can go indoors to think of suitable names?’

  She glanced back at the house, and for a split second, Dolph swore her smile slipped to reveal an expression of misery, but when she looked back at them, she was again all smiles.

  ‘Wolf is waiting inside, full of excitement now you’re all home—I had to leave him inside in case he frightened the ponies.’

  Dolph couldn’t remember her being this talkative. Ever. Either confiding in Miss Strong had lifted an intolerable burden from Leah’s shoulders, or she was hiding something.

  ‘When I arrived home,’ she carried on, ‘poor Wolf was full of sulks and wouldn’t talk to me because we all went out without him. He’s forgotten his bad mood now, however, and is bounding around full of excitement, as I said. A bit like the boys before you set off.’

  Dolph grimaced, pushing to the back of his mind his uneasiness at the thought of more secrets in his household. ‘Don’t remind me.’

  ‘Come along, boys. Inside the house now, please.’

  Miss Thame shepherded Stevie and Nicky towards the front. Dolph watched them go until a nudge from George grabbed his attention.

  ‘Quite the touching family scene, old fellow. If someone was to offer me odds, I’d confidently wager you will end up in the luscious Miss Thame’s arms before very long. I trust you appreciated my timely withdrawal last night so you could spend a little time alone together?’

  ‘George.’ Dolph forced his words through gritted teeth. ‘If you wish to be throttled, you are going the right way about it. So, if you care anything for your health, you will not say another word on that particular subject. It is all in your imagination. Miss Thame is a valued member of my staff. She is a respectable woman and has done nothing to deserve you speaking of her with such disrespect.’

  George grinned. ‘Of course she is, Dolph. I offer you my unreserved apology.’

  Dolph stalked ahead of his friend into the house, not trusting himself to say another word.

  * * *

  Leah took the three children down to the drawing room to say goodnight to Dolph that night, only to find George was present—a blatant departure from the norm and, she soon realised, a deliberate ploy on Dolph’s part. He’d clearly meant what he said the previous evening: he would risk nothing that might result in the
boys losing their beloved governess. There was no opportunity to request a private interview and, if she was honest, she was grateful to put off the moment she dreaded until later.

  George dominated the conversation all through dinner that evening, as usual. When the time came for Leah to withdraw, both gentlemen rose as she did.

  ‘Will you play for us later, Miss Thame?’ George asked.

  Leah caught the expression of dismay that flashed across Dolph’s features and—even though she knew he had forsworn marriage and that, even had he not, he would not marry his own governess, no matter how attracted he might be to her—it still felt as though a dagger had pierced her heart.

  Stupid, stupid woman. Will I never learn?

  It seemed no amount of brutal home truths was enough to fully destroy her foolish daydreams or her pathetic hope he might experience some kind of epiphany and realise he loved her, and not his dead wife, after all.

  ‘My apologies, sir, but I have the beginnings of the headache and I intend to retire now. I bid you goodnight, gentlemen.’

  ‘I hope you will feel better after a good night’s sleep,’ Hinckley said.

  Dolph inclined his head, with a brief ‘Goodnight, Miss Thame,’ before sitting again and gesturing at Palmer to pour the port.

  As she climbed the stairs, Leah knew she must find the opportunity tomorrow to speak privately to Dolph, to tell him she was resigning her post. She would then tell the boys, and she would leave just as soon as she could.

  The worry about how she would tell Steven and Nicholas kept her awake long into the night, but she refused to fret over what she would say to Dolph. He had made his position clear, and she would not waste her time wallowing in self-pity. She had an exciting change ahead of her and she would be a fool not to take advantage of the opportunity fate had thrust in her path.

  If she told herself enough times, she might begin to believe it.

  * * *

  The next day—the first day of March—dawned with dark clouds massing on the horizon, and by mid-afternoon, the rain was sheeting down. It was clear to Leah that Dolph was taking even more stringent steps than ever to avoid being alone with her. He visited the schoolroom as normal in the afternoon, taking care to concentrate wholly on the boys and their work. Leah was unsurprised, but it still hurt every time he avoided meeting her eyes and every time she recognised the small manoeuvres with which he ensured they could not exchange so much as a private word. She was still determined to speak to him today about her resignation, however, even if it meant writing to him to demand an appointment. She was relieved when, after his usual half-hour, Dolph stood up—his signal it was time for him to go.