The Duke and The Governess

by Lyndsey Norton

  ‘If the Earl has the good manners to send it on.’ She replied.

  ‘Is he a bit of a mardy, then?’ Andrew asked.

  ‘A bit?’ erupted from Jessica’s mouth almost unbidden, ‘Sorry, that sounds rather ungrateful, but he’s the biggest miser and runs the most appalling household I have ever had the misfortune to live in.’

  Andrew put her trunk behind the seat and assisted Jessica up into the curricle. She slid across the upholstered bench to make room for him and as he settled and sorted the reins out he said. ‘Well, you should like it at the Viscount’s. His children are wonderful and he and the Viscountess are good people. She’s in her fourth confinement and he dotes on her.’

  ‘What are the children?’ Jessica asked and looked at the horse’s rump in front of her.

  ‘They have two boys and a girl, the Right Honourable Peter Clifton, the Right Honourable James Clifton and the Right Honourable Susanna Clifton. Peter is nine, James is seven and Susanna is four.’

  ‘What happened to the last Governess?’ She asked.

  ‘She had to leave to care for an elderly relative, so they will be all yours. They’re good children, quiet and attentive when you try to teach them anything.’

  ‘I find most people are attentive if they want to learn, but if it’s something they don’t like, then they will be as difficult as most children.’ She sighed. ‘It can’t possibly be as difficult as dealing with a recalcitrant Earl that’s in his dotage!’ She said with vitriol.

  ‘You were going to explain?’ Andrew prompted and Jessica launched into her life story, omitting any mention of the Duke of Warwick, he was her personal wish and had never been voiced to anybody, not even Cecily.

  Chapter Five

  London, July 1812.

  The Duke of Warwick turned the Viscountess of Malvern around the floor again and tried to smile at her, but only managed a gentle curving of his lips. The Duke did not smile much anymore. ‘You must come to our house party, Your Grace.’ She said again. ‘It promises to be the delight of the season. We make it a family affair, you see, so I will expect to see the Lady Elizabeth.’

  ‘Who else will be attending this event?’ the Duke asked coolly. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to drag his young daughter out into the country.

  ‘Well I had a tentative acceptance from Lord Devon, the Duke of Norfolk and the Marquis of Wiltshire and his Marchioness is excited because they are still new parents and I have made it a requirement that you provide your own Nanny. I’m afraid my Nanny won’t be able to cope with my four and all the guest’s babies, but my Governess is a very capable woman. She runs the school room with a rod of iron and my boys worship her.’ She chattered almost without a breath, her excitement obvious.

  ‘Mmm!’ John Farrington murmured non committally.

  ‘She has devised all the children’s activities for the five days and it looks to be a fantastic house party.’ She enthused, ‘I’ve relied heavily on Jessica and Mrs. Tabb to help me sort it out.’

  The name made John jerk. ‘Jessica?’ He asked and centred his attention on the Viscountess.

  ‘Oh, yes. Jessica Gordon. She’s a wonderful Governess and has even got Peter started on his Latin...’ the rest of her eulogy went in one ear and out the other as John’s heart raced. Jessica Gordon. He had been waiting for Lady Carruthers to pop up in society, her deep mourning period would be about half way through, but he still had wondered why her family hadn’t brought her out to small soirées and things.

  ‘Isn’t she the daughter of Lady Gordon?’ The duke asked softly.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Viscountess Clifton said airily. ‘Jessica never talks about her life before she came to us, I’ve gathered from Andrew, my husbands head groom, that it was an unpleasant experience and she doesn’t like to talk about it. But she came to us from the Earl of Dean and he was most unpleasant to her.’

  ‘What about her husband?’ the Duke asked.

  ‘Husband?’ The Viscountess looked genuinely perplexed. ‘She doesn’t have a husband. She is Miss Jessica Gordon and apparently nobody writes to her either, she must have led a very lonely life.’ The Viscountess sighed. ‘But, she’s found a home with us and my children adore her.’

  ‘In that case, I shall be delighted to attend your house party, Lady Evelyn.’ The Duke said before he could think about it carefully. ‘Just send me the details and I shall bring my daughter along.’ He said brightly and many wondered why the Duke smiled so happily at the Viscountess and a whisper of infidelity started immediately.

  ~*~*~*~

  ‘The guest list for this house party reads like a page from Burke’s Peerage!’ Mrs. Tabb moaned, naming the huge heraldic tome from the library, as she looked again at the names on the list of dignitaries. ‘Just separating the children will take an hour.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ Jessica said firmly. ‘I know most of them either by sight or reputation, so we shouldn’t have a problem. Who’s at the top of the list?’ she asked and smiled brightly from across the school room. Jessica was putting the finishing touches to a costume for one of Susanna’s porcelain dolls.

  ‘The Duke of Norfolk.’ Mrs. Tabb said. ‘He’s attending with his Duchess and they must be bringing their nanny and two children. The Marquis of Norwich, the Countess of Cromer and Miss Bates.’

  ‘They sound very fine with their official titles, but I wonder what their names are?’ Jessica asked.

  ‘It doesn’t say. Next are the Duke of Warwick and his nanny and the Baroness of Cubbington.’

  ‘The Duke of Warwick?’ Jessica gulped out and looked at Mrs. Tabb with an expression between hope and despair.

  ‘Do you know him, Miss Gordon?’

  ‘I do, Mrs. Tabb. He was the first man I ever danced with, other than my brothers. He paid me the greatest honour and danced with me at my first ball.’

  ‘You’ve been to a ball?’ Mrs. Tabb exploded. ‘How did you get invited to a nobs ball?’

  ‘I was taken by my mother and father. My mother is the daughter of an Earl, so we all had seasons in London. I had three, Cecily had four and Abigail had six before she decided to remain a spinster.’

  ‘I had no idea you were from the nobility!’ Mrs. Tabb said in horror. ‘We’ve been a little lax in finding this out?’

  ‘It is irrelevant, Mrs. Tabb. My family no longer exists for me, I disowned them the day they forced me into marriage with the Earl of Dean’s son, only to be left in the church as he ran away to Spain and the war.’

  ‘Did you never consummate the wedding?’ She asked gently and Jessica shook her head.

  ‘That’s why the Earl had the marriage annulled the week we were told David had died and sent me here as a Governess for the Right Honourables.’

  ‘So you were Lady Carruthers?’ Jessica nodded again. ‘Maybe I should curtsey to you?’ Mrs. Tabb muttered.

  ‘Do not do that ever.’ Jessica said harshly. ‘I’m not a lady and have no titles. The Earl made it abundantly clear that I was nobody and I’m quite happy to be just Miss Gordon, the Governess.’

  ‘Still, you should have told the Viscountess. She’ll be gutted when she realises that you out rank her and you’re the governess.’

  ‘Mrs. Tabb, I don’t out rank her. I’m a mere miss.’ She said and immediately she saw Verity Farrington say the same words at that first ball as the Right Honourables charged into the school room.

  ‘Mama says.....’ all three of them started at once, making each of their messages unintelligible.

  Jessica held up her hand. ‘One at a time please, your right royal highnesses!’

  ‘It’s Right Honourables, Jessie, you know that.’ Susanna said petulantly.

  ‘Yes, I do. Now what did your mother ask you to tell me. Peter?’ she raised her eyebrows at the eldest boy, who was the image of his father.

  ‘Mama would like me to remind you that the revised guest list should be ready by teatime.’ Jessica nodded and looked at James, who was like his father with his mother’s eyes.
>
  ‘Mama wanted me to tell you that the mad old Earl had passed away, whatever that means.’ Jessica swallowed and nodded again and looked at Susanna. She was the image of her mother, complete with golden hazel eyes and sable ringlets tied into pigtails.

  ‘Mama told me to tell you that four of the children will be under four.’

  ‘Thank you, children.’ Jessica said softly.

  ‘Who is the mad old Earl?’ James asked. ‘I asked mama but she wouldn’t tell me.’

  ‘Well it’s not nice to mock the afflicted. But the mad old Earl was the Earl of Dean. I must assume Anthony will now become the new Earl, as David died in Spain.’ She patted James on the shoulder. ‘Passing away is a polite way of saying that somebody has died.’

  ‘Died?’ Susanna asked. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘When you cease to live, it’s called dying.’ Jessica said evenly. ‘Just like the toad that Peter had in his tank last year. He came to find it floating on the top. Well his frog had died.’

  ‘I understand.’ Susanna said airily, reminding everyone in the room of their mother as she waved her hand.

  ‘So let us continue with the paper flowers for the treasure hunt.’ Jessica said and pulled out a ream of tissue paper. ‘Remember I’ve got to be able to write the clue and stick it on the middle.’

  All three children went to the utensil drawer and fetched a pair of scissors and a pot of glue each. They sat quietly and worked on the flowers, making Jessica so proud.

  ‘They’ll set a good example for all the other children.’ Mrs. Tabb said softly as she nursed the new baby Christian in her arms.

  ‘Jessie?’ What will the house party be like?’ Susanna asked perkily.

  ‘Well, your mama will have devised entertainment for the adults as I have for the children. They will do archery and play charades, find treasure and the whole week starts and finishes with a ball. Monday’s will be a black and white ball and Friday’s will be a masquerade ball.’

  ‘Jessie, what’s a masquerade ball?’ Peter asked like a small adult.

  ‘It’s a ball where the guests wear masks to hide their identities. It makes for amusing moments as people try to identify their partners.’

  ‘It’s trouble if you ask me.’ Mrs. Tabb said darkly from the corner. ‘No good comes from a Masquerade. Too many husbands end up with the wrong wife and that’s when the trouble starts.’

  ‘Mrs. Tabb!’ Jessica said firmly. ‘It is a bit of fun!’ She made hard eyes at Mrs. Tabb to be quiet.

  ‘Could you go to the ball?’ Susanna asked softly.

  ‘No, Susanna. I could not go.’ She looked down at the sombre gown that hung on her body. ‘I’m not a guest and I don’t have anything to wear.’ Jessica said as she fetched down the box for the flowers. ‘All my best gowns are still at Ross-on-Wye. The mad old Earl decided not to send them on.’ She would spend a morning dispensing the flowers all over the house and the prizes were a secret that she shared with Andrew, the Head Groom. She sat and remembered the fine ball gowns she’d had before her ill fated wedding and had a moment of regret that she’d ostracised her family. She shook it off and concentrated on the task at hand.

  The first of the guests was due to arrive in the morning and her heart was palpitating that the Duke of Warwick would be the first. While the children worked, she debated on how to get all the other children under control. Some of the older ones with ancient titles would be arrogant and she would have to make it clear to the parent there will be no favouritism and they will all be disciplined equally.

  Soon enough it was time for the children to join their parents for dinner and Jessica escorted them down to the family drawing room. While the children were eating and entertaining their parents, Jessica took the last clue from the flower box and went to the stables.

  ‘Hello Andrew.’ She said brightly to the head groom. ‘I’ve come to hide the last flower.’

  ‘Yes, I remember you asking for a place for it, Miss Jessica.’

  ‘I’ve told you Andrew, you don’t need to call me Miss anything.’

  ‘I know, but I like to call you Miss.’ He put his hand out for the flower and she followed him into the tack room. He carefully attached the flower to a head harness. ‘This is Thunder’s best head gear and I’ll have it on his head and his face out of the door.’ He smiled and finished what he was doing.

  ‘Just make sure the Viscount doesn’t take him out during the children’s treasure hunt.’

  ‘There’ll be no chance of that. The Viscountess has made sure that the Viscount knows exactly what the children’s itinerary is!’

  ‘Good.’ Jessica said and turned back into the yard.

  ‘Miss Jessica?’ Andrew called and she turned and waited for him to emerge from the tack room. ‘I was wondering if you’d like to walk out with me on Sunday.’

  Jessica smiled softly. ‘And where were you considering walking on Sunday?’ she asked cheekily.

  ‘I was wondering if you’d accompany me to church, Miss Jessica.’

  ‘I would be proud to walk to church with you on Sunday, Andrew.’ She said and smiled coyly.

  ~*~*~*~

  Elizabeth Farrington was jumping up and down on her bed. ‘Now! I want to see Daddy, now!’ she demanded of her nanny. Mrs Beaton looked at the ceiling and counted to twenty, hoping that the child would wear itself out soon.

  ‘You’ll see Daddy sooner than you think if you keep on making all this noise, and I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his wrath, my girl!’

  ‘What the hell is going on in here!?’ John Farrington shouted from the doorway and Elizabeth dropped onto her bottom and crossed her legs, smiling like an angel.

  ‘Hello, Daddy.’ She said demurely, making Mrs. Beaton’s mouth drop open in shock.

  ‘It’s obvious you wanted to see me, but I wonder whether you truly wanted a sore bottom as well.’ John asked as he walked into his daughter’s bedroom. ‘What seems to be the trouble?’

  ‘I wanted to ask you about this house party that we’re going to.’ Elizabeth said reasonably.

  ‘Very well.’ John said and perched on the end of her bed. ‘Fire away.’

  ‘Will I have to sleep with other children?’ Elizabeth asked softly, it was obvious that this was a new concept for her.

  ‘As I understand it you will be sleeping with Nanny.’ John said firmly.

  ‘Oh! Good. I wouldn’t want to share with just any old Lady.’ She smiled cheekily. ‘Will the Governess be nice?’

  ‘I understand she rules with a rod of iron!’ John said conspiratorially ‘But I believe she’s really a very nice woman.’

  ‘Do you know her, Daddy?’ Elizabeth asked picking up the conviction in his voice.

  ‘I do. I had the fortune to dance with her on her debut ball. She was really very pretty and I liked her.’

  ‘Why didn’t you marry her?’ Elizabeth asked innocently.

  ‘Because I didn’t get the chance. Your mother was too quick for me and she had her avaricious eye on my title. She manoeuvred me into marriage before I could spit!’

  ‘That sounds really mean!’ Elizabeth said and shuddered.

  ‘I’m afraid your mama was mean, just ask Butcher about it. He’ll tell you that nothing was ever good enough for her and she complained every day about stupid, irrelevant things.’

  ‘I’m glad that mama didn’t stay around then, because I wouldn’t have liked her.’ He dropped a kiss on her head.

  ‘Now are you sorted for the morning?’ he asked looking up at Mrs. Beaton.

  ‘We are, Your Grace. Lady Elizabeth and I are all packed and ready to go.’

  ‘Good. So all I have to do now is prevail upon you to behave yourself.’ He looked at Elizabeth sternly. ‘You will give the impression that I’ve spoilt you if you throw tantrums like that when we’re away.’ He kissed her softly. ‘And I want Miss Jessica Gordon to like you and consider you the most well behaved girl she has ever seen.’ He held the bedclothes back for Elizab
eth to scuttle under the covers.

  ‘I promise, Daddy. You’ll be proud of me.’ She gave him a genuinely happy smile.

  ‘Good. I love you pigeon.’ He kissed her again.

  ‘I love you too, Daddy.’ She sighed and Mrs. Beaton opened the story book.

  John Farrington knelt beside his daughter’s bed, holding her hand until she dropped off to sleep. She was so precious to him and he found it amazing, because he’d hated her mother so much. But of course, once Victoria’s influence was gone from the house, everything settled back into the previous good cheer it had always been before and it helped to get rid of his mother’s moaning influence as well! She was with Verity at her London residence.

  He went down to his study and sipped a brandy as he worked through the last of his correspondence. Anything that arrived the next day would be dealt with by his secretary. Sterling had all the details and was up to date.

  At eleven o’clock he was just going to turn in when Edward arrived. He flew through the door, not even waiting for Butcher to open it. ‘You have to help me!’ he shouted. His cravat was missing and his stained shirt was open at the front almost to his belly. His jacket looked as if he’d rolled around the park in it and there was a nasty graze on his left cheek.

  ‘Why Edward, whatever is the matter?’ The Duke asked, knowing full well his creditors were after him. Edward was a gambler. His obsession with cards and dice would put the most profligate rake to shame. John was well aware of Edward’s ability at cards and his debts were caused by an inability to leave the table, rather than incompetence. His reckless wagers, and the book at White’s was full of his wagers on the most irrelevant bets, had finally caught up with him. On more than one occasion John had seen Edward escorted from a gambling den as the sun was rising over the city and he was making his way to the House.

  ‘I need some money.’ Edward blurted abruptly and it was impossible to miss the sweaty face and shaking hands. ‘I need .....’ he didn’t finish the sentence as he saw Butcher out of the corner of his eye and it made him jump.