Page 31 of The Governess and the Rogue (Somerset Stories #6)

Meg’s eyes twinkled with humor. “I’m sure they’d rather I had been than a Burton-Smythe.” She straightened a piece of lace trimming on Bea’s overskirt. “Come n-now. Shall we go down together?”

Bea nodded. “Yes. But first… do you mind if we stop at the nursery? I promised to show the girls my gown.”

“By all means,” Meg said.

Together they went down the corridor to the nursery where the nanny, Mrs. Lovell, was busily overseeing all nine of the children.

Agatha, Charlotte, Felicity, and Delphia were in their nightgowns, knelt in front of a painted wooden dollhouse, playing with their dolls and toy animals.

Nicholas was seated in the corner, in his dressing gown, reading a book.

A similarly clad Arthur, Edward, Aldrick, and Oscar were at the tea table, working on one of the picture puzzles that Jack had brought them.

The little dogs, Frances, Gertrude, and Wilhelmina, were there too, curled up in their respective baskets, having already put themselves to bed.

Seeing Meg and Bea, the dogs barked and the children sprang to attention.

“Mama,” Oscar said to Meg. “What are you doing here?”

“We’ve come to show you our finery before the ball begins,” Meg said.

“Is that your new dress, Miss Layton?” Agatha asked, coming forward.

“It is.” Bea spread out the lace-trimmed skirts for their perusal. “What do you think? Does it pass muster?”

“You look ever so pretty!” Charlotte said.

“Like a princess,” little Delphia added. “And you too, Auntie Meg. Can I touch your brooch?”

Meg leaned down so the child could examine the opal-and-diamond pin.

Bea had no jewelry of her own. She’d declined Hannah’s offer of a matching necklace and earrings, and Kate’s of a pair of diamond hair combs. There were limits, even to make-believe.

“Is Uncle Jack going to dance with you?” Agatha asked Bea.

“I’m sure he’d like to dance,” Bea said. “But his leg might not cooperate.”

“You’ll have plenty of other chances,” Meg assured Bea.

Bea struggled to maintain her smile. “I’m sure we will.”

Meg cocked her head. “Ah! There’s the m-music,” she said. “Miss Layton and I must hurry now.”

Bidding the children goodnight, and promising to tell them all about the ball in the morning, Bea and Meg exited the nursery and made their way down the stairs. Music floated up from the ballroom, the sounds of the village players tuning up their instruments.

“It’s very m-much a Maidenbridge affair,” Meg said as they descended the steps. “Jack is beloved by the local people. They’re eager to welcome him home—and to meet his betrothed.”

Bea inwardly quailed at the prospect. Truth be told, she would rather the villagers had not come to meet her at all. As for Jack’s parents?—

But it was too late to turn back.

Jack and Ivo awaited them in the entry hall, both of them dressed in their evening blacks.

Bea had to remind herself to breathe. A difficult proposition, given the picture Jack presented in his flawlessly cut tailcoat and trousers, with his white waistcoat gleaming.

Never had Bea seen him looking so polished and untouchable.

She privately wondered if there was a level of handsomeness greater than outrageously handsome.

If there was, Jack had certainly achieved it tonight.

When he saw Bea, a slow smile spread across his face. Her blood warmed in answer as he came to take her hand, assisting her down the last step. “Well,” he said. “You’ve finally managed to render me speechless.”

“You’re speaking now,” she pointed out.

Jack grinned. “I’m speechless on the inside.”

“Ladies,” Ivo said. “You’re both visions.” He took Meg’s arm. Drawing her close, he whispered something in her ear.

Meg laughed softly in response.

Hannah and St. Clare appeared in the hall that led from the ballroom. Kate and Charles were with them. The gentlemen were in black-and-white eveningwear and the ladies in lush, large-skirted gowns of rose crepe (for Hannah) and mazarine blue silk (for Kate).

“The first guests are due any minute,” Hannah said. “Shall we form the receiving line?”

“If Jack is ready to greet all his well-wishers,” Ivo said.

Jack dropped a significant glance at his injured leg. “How many well-wishers are we talking about?”

“It’s open house,” St. Clare said. “We may be standing here all night.”

“What my husband means,” Hannah interjected, “is that the moment you’ve had enough, you may retire to the ballroom.”

“Should we wait for Mama and Papa?” Kate asked.

“We’re here!” a woman’s voice called from the top of the stairs.

Bea looked up. For the third time that evening, she felt her courage slip.

Lord and Lady Allendale descended the steps, side-by-side.

He was tall and commanding, and very like his three sons, save for the lines that creased his face and the silver that streaked his golden hair.

And she was quite similar to her daughter, self-possessed and beautiful, with the same dark blue eyes, and the same lustrous mink tresses—though hers held plentiful strands of gray.

Her ladyship’s attention went straight to her youngest son. Having marked him, her unerring gaze fell on Bea.

Bea’s hand tightened reflexively on Jack’s.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze in return before releasing it to greet his parents. “Mother, father,” he said.

“Jack.” Lady Allendale embraced him. “We looked for you when we arrived. Mrs. Kirby said you had gone into Maidenbridge.”

Jack bent to return his mother’s embrace. He was substantially taller than she was. “I had an errand to attend to,” he said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to meet you.”

“You’re here now, that’s what’s important.” She kissed him. “I thank God you’re home.”

“I fear I’m a little worse for wear.”

She drew back to look at him. “The operation was a success?”

“According to the surgeon. I’m reserving judgment until I can walk without aid of this.” Jack tapped his cane. “I’m told it will take time.”

“You have time now,” Lord Allendale said, greeting Jack in turn. “An abundance of it.”

“With no more threat of danger,” Lady Allendale added. “Only peace and quiet, and plenty of fresh air.”

Jack’s mouth hitched. “How dull you make the countryside sound.”

“Not for you, it seems.” Lord Allendale turned his ice-gray gaze on Bea. “We’re informed that you have returned with a diversion.”

Lady Allendale looked at Bea too, her smile freezing on her lips. “Not a diversion, my love. A fiancée.”

Bea’s spine stiffened under their regard. She was no stranger to scrutiny. She’d been examined countless times by previous employers—dressed down, raked over, dismissed. This wasn’t so very different.

Except that it was.

Jack was beside her, once again taking her hand. Her friend in truth, even if he wasn’t her fiancé. And these were his parents. His much-loved parents. Bea wanted them to think well of her.

“Mother, father,” Jack said. “Allow me to present Miss Beatrice Layton. Bea, these are my parents, Lord and Lady Allendale.”

There was a brief silence. Bea had the sensation that everyone except for the earl and countess was holding their breath. And then?—

“Miss Layton,” Lady Allendale said. “We are very pleased to meet you.”

“And very surprised,” Lord Allendale added dryly. “But Jack wouldn’t be Jack if he wasn’t delivering us the unexpected.”

Bea curtsied. “My lady. My lord. It is an honor.”

Outside, the crunch of carriage wheels on the drive announced the arrival of the first of the guests.

More carriage wheels sounded in quick succession, followed by the swell of voices as people disembarked from their conveyances and climbed the stone steps to the door.

By the general noise, one would think it was a horde descending.

“We expect the whole of Maidenbridge,” St. Clare said to his parents. “They’re eager to welcome home the conquering hero.”

Jack shot a warning look at his brother. “Enough of this hero nonsense. If this is to be a celebration, let it be for my engagement.”

A trace of a smile edged St. Clare’s mouth. “As you wish.”

Hannah effortlessly guided the Beresfords into their receiving line. All except for Lady Allendale, who lingered for a moment longer in front of Bea.

“Hannah was wise to bring you here to Beasley,” her ladyship said. “And to summon us all to join you. I mean for you and I to become better acquainted during your stay.”

Bea’s heart hammered. She didn’t know how to reply. She wouldn’t be staying after today. Tonight was the night she and Jack’s fake engagement came to an end. That’s what they’d agreed to.

She gave him a discreet glance, anticipating that he would be sharing her thoughts as he so often seemed to do. But Jack only smiled.

And then he winked at her.