Page 9 of The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor (The Dashworth Brothers #2)
‘There are several problems with this plan,’ she told him.
He raised an imperious eyebrow but she had regained her voice and was not going to lose it, even in the face of his disapproval.
‘I have been a governess. I will surely meet the families I have worked for and they will recognise me.’ She did not mention her last employer, but the idea of meeting him in a ballroom made her blood run cold.
‘Also, if I meet a man, am I to lie to him about my background?’
‘I am sure we can come up with a believable past for you.’
It was ludicrous he thought this acceptable. ‘I do not want to start any relationship on a mistruth. In fact, I do not want a husband.’
‘Well said!’
Kate jumped; she had forgotten Emily and her husband were still in the room. It was Emily who had spoken.
‘I see,’ her husband responded.
‘Oh, darling, you know I love you.’ Edward pretended to gag and Kate let out a surprised laugh.
He grinned at her, looking years younger and a good deal more approachable.
Emily ignored them both. ‘But you remember, my dear Freddie, how much pressure my mother put on me. If a woman does not wish to marry, then she should not be made to.’ She turned her attention away from her husband and back to Kate.
‘No one is going to force you into anything, but please do say you will take up the allowance for new dresses. I would love to come shopping with you.’
Faced with Emily’s sweetness, Kate could not disagree.
When her life returned to normal, she would be able to sell any clothes bought.
‘Of course. I would like that.’ She wasn’t sure yet whether she was speaking the truth.
She had never been to a modiste, not even with any of her previous employers, but it would be good to have a wardrobe containing new clothes and not ones badly mended.
‘Would you be happy with a story resembling the truth?’ Edward asked.
‘We could say that your brother is a friend of Tobias. That they studied together or met somewhere many years ago and lost contact for a while, but now, since your brother has travelled to America, Tobias has agreed to sponsor you. It is close to reality but it protects our privacy.’
She could not find fault with his suggestion, understanding why the family would not want to draw attention to what Simon was doing.
There was still no need for a husband. ‘I still do not think the dowry is necessary. I have never thought of marrying.’ Not since she’d been a young, na?ve girl at least.
‘It would be strange for us not to provide you with one.’
She locked eyes with Edward. ‘Would it?’ She did not understand their world well, but she did not imagine members of the Ton went about offering dowries to women who were of no relation to them.
They stared at each other. She refused to be the first one to turn away.
She had no idea why they were at odds once again, but it seemed important not to back down to him.
If she gave in without protest, this large man would walk all over her, dominating her with his will.
‘Do you play the pianoforte, Kate?’
Damn it. Why did she keep forgetting about Emily being in the room with them?
‘I do not, I am afraid.’ She did not understand the soft smile on Emily’s face.
‘Any other instrument?’
‘No, I…’
‘What about dancing?’
The muscles in her back were tightening, making her want to curl in on herself.
She held herself upright by pure strength of will.
‘When I was younger, I attended a few dances at our local town hall, but I have not had the pleasure in years.’ Not that she had danced much and she had never had a lesson.
If required to dance in a ballroom, she would fail.
She did not want to answer, not when she was locked in a battle of wills with Edward.
‘We have plenty of time. It is not the Season and most families are out of town. There are currently no balls on the horizon and so there is lots of time for you to practise. Now, I hope you do not mind, everyone, but I must have a lie-down.’ Freddie’s eyes glinted and Kate had the uncomfortable feeling she’d witnessed something private.
Opposite her, Edward rolled his eyes and she couldn’t stop the heat from spreading across her face as she guessed at what a lie-down might entail.
‘We have dinner with the duke later,’ said Edward. ‘Emily has invited a few friends. It will be a small gathering and an ideal time to introduce you to a few of our acquaintances. Have you sat at a formal meal before?’
She bit her lip to stop herself from informing him that she didn’t eat like a pig at a trough, but although he might be stiff and pompous, he appeared to be trying to help her. ‘I have never dined with a duke before, no.’
‘Very well. I will request that a table be set up this afternoon so that we can practise.’ He made to push himself from the chair before pausing. ‘If it is acceptable to you, of course.’
‘It is acceptable.’ She had no idea what she was going to do for the next few hours, but she had promised herself she would not be a bother to anyone and so she merely smiled politely.