The Honorable Governess (False Rumors #4)

Chapter Eight

S ilence swept across the ballroom floor at their entrance. Then the hushed whispers echoed around them when Ian wrapped his arm around Sara’s waist in a scandalous gesture of possession and protectiveness. Married couples of the ton never showed affection toward one another, and they frowned upon a couple remaining by each other’s side throughout a ball. However, Ian never let Sara wander away from him, and she declined each offer of a dance. She wasn’t skilled on the dance floor and refused to show her ineptitude to those who might find fault with her. Her lower class was enough of a default, and she refused to give them any more reason to gossip about their marriage.

A countless stream of people demanded their attention throughout the evening, with introductions that left Sara exhausted. However, she kept her practiced smile in place and pretended an interest in their tiresome discussions. She longed for familiar conversations with her friends, who weren’t full of false pretense or having to listen to society’s overinflated egos. She pleaded her excuse, whispering her need to visit the retiring room to Ian. Sara didn’t give him time to accompany her before slipping into a throng of guests passing by them.

Instead of the retiring area, she slipped into a room quiet from the festivities. The library was aglow with candles and a fire crackling in the hearth. Sara turned around in a circle, admiring the vast collection of books. The library was even more impressive than Ian’s. Her fingers trailed across the tomes and she quietly whispered the titles. She wished nothing more than to select a book and curl up in a chair and lose herself in a story. Sara preferred the make-believe worlds to the one she now found herself in. She fought to shake off her guilty thoughts but failed with the truth of them.

Sara sighed at her conflicted emotions. She didn’t want to fail Ian but worried she was incapable of emerging into the lifestyle needed to be his duchess. If everyone this evening were of the quality she had met on her visits with Marian’s friends, she believed she would find success. However, the quality of people she’d met this evening didn’t share the same characteristics.

“I could not agree with you more, miss.”

Sara stilled at the bookcase when she heard the gentleman’s voice. She had thought she was alone with her thoughts, but it would appear she had invaded someone else’s privacy. When she turned, an older, distinguished gentleman was sitting in the corner with a book on his lap. He hadn’t hesitated to enjoy himself as he pleased. Oh, how she envied him.

Sara cleared her throat. “I apologize. I never meant to intrude.”

He gestured for her to take a seat. “You haven’t. It seems we shared the same idea to steal away for a peaceful moment.”

Sara settled on a chair a distance away. “Perhaps for longer if I am allowed.”

“Is the ball not your idea of a pleasant way to spend your evening?”

Sara winced. “If truth be known, I would much prefer to replicate your actions.”

He laughed. “I would think someone of your beauty would have her dance card full and a line of smitten suitors paying her attention.”

Sara blushed. “My husband would not be agreeable to such attention.”

“I apologize, my lady. I presumed you were a debutante who did not want to please her mama and preferred books over courting.”

Sara smiled wistfully. “I fear I never knew my mother.”

The gentleman grimaced. “It would appear I am stepping on my own toes with you this evening.”

Sara’s smile brightened. “Quite the opposite. I find our conversation most refreshing from the others I have had this evening.”

“The lot can be most pretentious, and that is on a decent day.”

Sara smoothed her hands along her skirts. “I fear for them on a grave day.”

He set the book on the table next to him. “Most ferocious.”

Sara chuckled in response. She should have left the minute the gentleman spoke, but his honest conversation was the first one she’d enjoyed all evening. If anyone were to walk in on them, it would cause rumors to spread about Somerville’s new bride already seeking the attention of another gentleman. Even though it was a harmless visit by two people who wanted to escape and clear their minds before rejoining the overwhelming guests who preened with their insincerity amongst themselves.

“I thought I might find you in the library and entertaining a pretty lady too,” a familiar voice interrupted them.

Sara rushed to her feet to show nothing untoward had happened. “Lady Roselli, ‘tis you.”

“Yes. I see you have met my husband.”

Lord Roselli rose. “Informally, my dear.” He bowed to Sara. “It is a pleasure to meet the legendary Sara. My wife sings your praises daily.”

“You are a lucky gentleman, Lord Roselli. Your wife is a dear who has welcomed me into her fold. I am honored to call her a friend.”

Lady Roselli clapped. “I am thrilled you two have met. Now, to convince her to join us for tea soon.”

Lord Roselli slid the book back into place on the bookshelf. “That is an excellent idea. We shall send an invitation to Somerville next week. Shall we rejoin the ball, my love, and allow Sara a moment to collect her thoughts in private?”

Lady Roselli glanced back and forth between Sara and her husband, pleased they had met and appeared comfortable with one another. “Yes. Enjoy your evening, my dear. We shall be in touch soon.”

Sara watched the Rosellis leave the library and frowned at the lord’s swift departure with his wife. They had enjoyed an amicable visit until Lady Roselli arrived, and then the lord had appeared out of sorts with the situation. His behavior confused Sara because nothing untoward had happened. Perhaps she had misinterpreted his reaction. After all, it had been a stressful evening attempting to understand everyone’s intentions.

She glanced back at the bookcase, wishing to indulge in her greatest pastime. However, she must return to Ian’s side before he searched for her or whispers started about her disappearance. With one last glance, she ventured back to the ballroom to find Ian. He was easy to spot, because a crowd stayed gathered around him, striving for his attention. Sara had observed this evening how his absence amongst the ton had held a resounding impact.

Once Sara wandered to his side, he slipped his arm around her waist, giving it a light squeeze all while continuing his conversation. He soon finished and guided Sara to the dance floor. He nodded at the orchestra to play a song. After all, he was a duke, and everyone jumped to do his bidding. Soon, the soft melody of a waltz drifted through the ballroom, and Ian swept her in a dance that left her breathless from his attention. His gaze stayed fixed on hers through every dip and turn. Her heart quickened at the intimacy of the dance, and his hold on her filled her imagination of them making love.

She needed to reel in her scandalous thoughts, but Ian made it impossible when he brushed her hair off her shoulder and bent to whisper in her ear. “You are an exquisite sight, and I missed you by my side.”

Sara tipped her head back to gaze into his eyes. “I am sorry. I needed a moment alone.”

He pressed a kiss against her ear. “Did it help?”

Sara gasped at his intimate display of affection. “Your Grace, you must restrain yourself.”

“I fear I cannot when you are near.”

Sara closed her eyes as he glided them around the ballroom floor. He was shameless with his seduction for all to watch. “I beg you to stop.”

Ian chuckled. “If you insist, my love.”

Sara’s heart stopped at his endearment, then started again with a rapid beat. He couldn’t possibly mean to call her his love. She read too much into the affectionate term. “I do.”

The music ended, and the other dancers wandered away, leaving them alone. Ian drew Sara’s hand through the crook of his arm. “Are you ready for your surprise?”

Sara’s brows crinkled in confusion. “Surprise?”

Ian didn’t answer but kept walking them toward the corner of the ballroom where the Whethams conversed with a group of ladies and gentlemen. There were too many people in front of them, blocking Sara’s view. When they reached them, the Whethams stepped away for Sara to see the guests they were visiting. She almost burst into tears when she saw Vivian, Grace, and Flora standing side by side with their husbands. Each of them wore a warm smile to greet her with. Sara rushed at them, and they encircled her in their arms for a heartfelt greeting, laughing with joy at her reaction.

Sara swiped at the tears leaking from her eyes when she gazed back at Ian. “My surprise.”

His humble nod set Sara to release the floodgates of her happiness on her friends’ arrival. She didn’t care what a soul thought of her as she hugged and kissed Ian for everyone to see. She would deal with the repercussions of her scandalous act later. For now, she wanted to express her gratitude at how much he pleased her.

“Enjoy your surprise, my love.” Ian kissed her cheek before sauntering away with her friends’ husbands and the Whethams.

“I cannot believe you are here.” Sara gripped Vivian’s hand.

“Come, love. Somerville has arranged a private room for us to visit.” Vivian led Sara to a lovely sitting room nestled away from the ballroom.

Sara sat next to Vivian on the settee, while Grace and Flora sat across from them with a table between them. Once they settled in their seats, a maid poured them each a cup of tea.

“That will be all,” Vivian informed the maid.

After the maid left, Grace arched an eyebrow at Sara. “My love?”

Sara shook her head. “’Tis only a term of endearment, nothing more.”

Flora frowned. “That was not the impression I noticed.”

Sara avoided her friends’ gazes and murmured, “Then you misinterpreted.”

Flora smirked. “No. I do not believe I did.”

Sara sat her teacup on the table. Flora’s teasing flustered her. How could she explain the state of her marriage to her friends? They were each madly in love with their husbands, who doted on them with love and affection. Her marriage resulted from her need for protection. Even though she longed to ask them for advice, it was too personal of a topic to discuss. However, who else could she ask, if not her friends?

“Flora,” Vivian warned.

Flora shrugged. “I am only stating the obvious.”

Grace laughed. “And in doing so, you have made Sara uneasy.”

“No,” Sara disagreed. “She is only voicing her opinion of something I am unsure of myself.”

Vivian set her tea down too. “We are here to offer our support. Somerville wrote to us, asking us to visit because he sensed you needed your friends. Has it been difficult to adjust to your role of duchess?”

Sara smiled. “Quite the opposite. Lady Whetham has taken me under her wing to help guide me into society. I make the rounds with her daily, and her friends have welcomed me into their group.”

“And Somerville?” Grace inquired.

A fresh shade of pink blushed across Sara’s cheeks. “He is, um...” Her gaze darted away. “That is ...” She attempted to clear the lump in her throat. “We have not ...”

Vivian patted Sara’s hand. “We understand.”

Sara’s breath whooshed out of her in a very unladylike manner. “I wish I did.”

Grace fluttered her hand in the air. “Then you have not?”

Sara gave a slight shake of her head.

“Oh.” Grace sighed.

Flora’s lips twisted to the side. “Has he not even tried?”

Sara kept her head down, too embarrassed to meet her friends’ eyes. “We have been intimate. But not in the full sense.”

“Do you wish to?” Vivian asked.

Sara nodded.

“’Tis simple. You shall seduce your husband this evening,” Flora declared.

Sara gasped. “I cannot. I would not even know how to.”

Grace’s smile turned secretive. “You will not have to do anything.”

Sara frowned. “I am confused.”

Grace took a sip of tea, prolonging her reply. “’Tis simple really.”

Vivian rolled her eyes. “Please do not keep us in suspense.”

Grace glanced at Flora for help with her explanation. “When you retire to your bedchamber this evening, ask him to help you undress.”

“He will find it impossible to resist you,” Flora added.

“And if he does?” Vivian asked.

“Then Sara must become the seductress. It starts when we rejoin our husbands in the ballroom,” Grace explained.

“The kiss you bestowed on him for all of London to see was an excellent start,” Flora stated. “Now you must continue with soft gestures of affection. A touch on his sleeve. Entwining your fingers with his. A whisper in his ear.”

Sara pressed her hands against her cheeks. “I cannot be so bold.”

Grace relaxed back in the chair. “I believe you can.”

Sara looked at Vivian for guidance. Her friend had been silent while the others encouraged her to seduce her husband with wanton attention. Vivian smiled her encouragement for Sara to pursue what her heart desired.

Sara smiled at her friends. “I have missed you, ladies. Thank you for leaving your homes and families to be here for me.”

Vivian hugged Sara. “We are family, dear Sara. We want to offer our support for you during this transition, as you have for us in the past. Also, we have brought our families with us.”

“The children?”

Grace rose. “Yes. So we must meet at the park tomorrow because the children have missed Mairi.”

“Oh, she would love to see them. She has missed them too,” Sara exclaimed.

Flora wiggled her eyebrows. “While they play tomorrow, you can tell us if our suggestions worked.”

“Flora,” Vivian and Grace reprimanded.

Flora hooked her arms through Sara’s and walked with her back toward the ballroom. “They act like they are prim old married ladies, when they are anything but. They secretly want to know if Somerville will fall for your charms. My money is on he will. A husband does not stare at his wife the way Somerville does if he doesn’t desire her in his bed. He is more than eager to claim you as his.”

Flora had always been the more outspoken of them and never hesitated to speak her thoughts. Sara wished she had half the courage Flora did at approaching life. Perhaps she could channel Flora into being her inspiration and take her advice. In the end, what did she have to lose? She wanted a marriage in the truest sense with Somerville. One where they expressed their love and made decisions with one another. One without secrets or fears haunting them. She wanted to have his children and make a home with him.

Once they reached the ballroom, they found their husbands in a deep discussion. However, the men stopped talking once they arrived and each of them whisked his wife to the dance floor, leaving Sara and Ian alone. She expected Ian to place his arm around her waist as he had all evening. Instead, he wrapped her in his embrace and smiled down at her.

“Did you enjoy visiting with your friends?”

“Yes.”

He pressed a soft kiss against her lips, and everything faded away in the background at being held in his arms. It was as if they were the only ones who existed. And nothing or no one else mattered but them alone. They would be the talk of the town tomorrow with their scandalous behavior, but Sara didn’t care. Perhaps her friends were correct about how Ian felt about her.

Hopefully, she would discover soon.