Page 41 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)

Viola watched Beau ride away on his stallion and wished with all her heart that things could be different between them. She would write to her lawyers, and send it by express, in the faint hope that they could come up with a way of dissolving the marriage so she could set him free.

There was also the matter of finding herself a new personal dresser. She had never had to look after herself and had no wish to do so now. She would speak to the housekeeper, as it was possible there might be a girl here suitable to replace the missing Hughes.

Her mama had been right to say things had been very confused these past few weeks.

She retired to her sitting room to write the letter but instead sat thoughtfully at the escritoire.

Her life had been perfectly acceptable, her children happy, until Beau had arrived in their lives.

He had turned everything upside down and she was now convinced Sir Frederick would not have gone in search of this Mr Fenchurch if he had not thought she might marry and ruin his plans.

Therefore, he was not the bringer of happiness but the destroyer of her peaceful life. If she had never met him the children would not love him and neither would she. They would all be better off without him and the sooner he left the better.

With the letter ready to be taken, she went downstairs in search of a footman to run this errand for her. She was waylaid by the young butler.

‘Your grace, there’s a hired vehicle approaching. Are you receiving today?’

What now? She went to the window and stood where she could not be seen by the approaching vehicle.

It was impossible to see into the interior of the carriage, therefore she would have to wait until it pulled up and was parallel to the house.

She was on edge, not sure if she should be panicking and having all the doors locked, or if this was just a random neighbour coming to congratulate her on her marriage.

She frowned. It could not possibly be that, as they would use their own carriage.

Two young ladies descended and both looked decidedly dishevelled. Their bonnets were askew, their promenade gowns sadly creased and she understood at once they were two of the missing governesses.

She beckoned to the vigilant footman. ‘Ask the housekeeper to prepare two guest bedrooms on the upper floor. These are candidates for the position of governess to my children. Send someone up to the nursery floor and let Lord Thomas and Lady Elizabeth know as well. Also inform Mrs Alston of their arrival.’

She hastily retreated to the drawing room where she would receive the visitors when they were announced.

Where on earth had they been for so long?

Her curiosity would be satisfied when they came in.

She was certain her mother would join her as soon as she could, so she too could hear what had transpired over these past days to delay them so drastically.

She had left the door ajar in order to hear what was said in the entrance hall. Both young ladies were well spoken and asked the butler if they could be shown to their accommodation so they could repair the damage to their appearance before speaking to her.

She was out of the door before she had time to reconsider.

‘Welcome, I am Mrs Sheldon now not Lady Fenchurch and I am pleased to see you. Your rooms are not yet ready, so would you care to come into the drawing room with me and get warm? Refreshments will be here at any moment and I can assure you I am not off-put by your travel-worn appearance.’

The young women were of similar height but there the resemblance ended. Miss Blackstone was senior to Miss Fellows and had darker colouring and hair, whereas her companion was much fairer.

‘My lady… I beg your pardon, Mrs Sheldon; if there is something to eat and drink, and a warm fire we can thaw out in front of, that would be most acceptable. I can assure you that neither of us are accustomed to being seen in public as we are.’

They handed their cloaks to the footman and, after a moment’s hesitation, also removed their bonnets. This would be considered impolite in the best houses as a lady always went to her chamber to do something so personal. However, Viola did not give a fig for such rules.

She asked no questions whilst the two of them devoured the sandwiches and cakes that had arrived and drank several cups of coffee. Her mother arrived just as they were completing their repast.

The two young ladies were introduced and both curtsied politely and sat side by side on the daybed, ankles crossed neatly and hands in their laps just as one would expect from someone in their position in life.

‘If you have fully recovered from your journey, perhaps one of you would be kind enough to explain why it has taken so long for you to reach me.’

‘First, we were marooned by snow, ma’am, then the coach we were travelling in suffered from a broken axle and we were obliged to disembark and walk several miles to the nearest inn.

Then Miss Fellows became extremely unwell so I remained with her and took care of her until she was fully recovered.

It was somewhat of a surprise to us as you might imagine, to discover you were now married to a Mr Sheldon and living elsewhere. ’

‘Thank you for explaining, Miss Blackstone. My housekeeper has come to show you to your chambers. I suggest that you take the remainder of the day to recover and I will have your supper sent to you on a tray. Tomorrow you will each spend time with the children. I shall speak to whoever is not with them and then reverse the process.’

So far, she was impressed with both ladies and it was going to be difficult making a choice between the two.

Then something occurred to her. Perhaps the unsuccessful candidate would be prepared to take a position as her companion.

She had already set in motion the replacement of her personal maid – the housekeeper was making the selection for her from those already employed at the house.

At least she could be certain whoever was chosen would be loyal to her.

The children appeared shortly after the two candidates had retired to their chambers. Her son was in the lead, which was unusual.

‘Mama, when can we meet our new governess?’

‘They have had a long and unpleasant journey. Miss Fellows was taken ill, which is why their arrival was delayed. Miss Blackstone took care of her. I have told them to spend the remainder of the day recovering and you will spend tomorrow morning with Miss Blackstone and the afternoon with Miss Fellows.’

‘What are they like, Mama?’ Elizabeth asked.

She gave them a brief description and they seemed satisfied with that.

They were more concerned with the fact that their new papa was absent from the house.

She explained that he had gone to attend to some business and would be back later that day.

It was going to break their hearts when they understood she intended to send him away.

They asked permission to spend time in the music room. ‘That is an excellent notion, children. I can start your instruction on the harp, Elizabeth, whilst your brother practises on the piano.’

Her mother appeared. ‘Run along, children. Your grandmama wishes to speak privately to your mother and will join you in a moment.’

Obediently they trotted off and Viola turned to see what it was that had agitated her mother.

‘Viola, I am shocked by your failure to inform those young ladies of your elevated status. What were you thinking of to allow them to call you Mrs Sheldon?’

‘Good heavens! How dreadful – I did not do it deliberately, I can assure you, Mama. I quite forgot. They will think I am fit for Bedlam!’

‘I shall go up and speak to them and explain that you have…’

‘I’m not surprised you hesitated, Mama. The fact that my husband masqueraded as plain Mr Sheldon and only revealed his true identity after we were married will seem extraordinary to them. I should think they will both wish to leave immediately and not work in such a household.’

Her mother snorted inelegantly. ‘Fiddlesticks to that, my girl. I can assure you that both of them will be even more eager to be appointed. Working in the household of a duke will seem highly advantageous.’

‘This is such a muddle. It would have been better if I had never met him.’

She dashed from the room, allowing her mother no chance to respond. She joined the children and their enthusiasm and delight in her performance on the harp pushed her misery aside.

The morning flew past and she was surprised when the nursery maid appeared to collect the twins.

‘You must go upstairs for your midday meal. Make the most of your freedom, as I shall be appointing one of the two candidates and your lessons will resume the day after tomorrow.’

Elizabeth pouted. ‘I thought that we were to be allowed to select someone who we liked.’

‘Then you were wrong in your assumption. I agreed that I would not appoint anyone you did not like, not that you could choose. I am certain you will like both of them, as I was most impressed.’

‘Then can we be allowed to express a preference for a candidate?’ Her daughter sounded like an adult.

Since Beau had come into their lives, she had reverted to being a normal child.

Viola hoped this stilted way of talking was only temporary.

Heaven knows how the child would behave when her beloved papa left them.

‘I shall ask your opinion after they have both spent time with you, but the final decision must be mine…’

Thomas looked somewhat surprised by her comment. ‘Is Papa not to meet them and help you to make your choice?’

‘No, he has left the matter to me. After all I have been your mama all your lives and he has only just become your papa.’