Chapter Two
William paced along the rug that lined the far wall of his study and scrubbed a hand down his freshly shaven face.
Mrs Chisholm’s visit to share with him the ‘latest developments’ as she called them, regarding the upcoming ball he was hosting, had only heightened his nerves about the event. He stopped cold and cursed.
What was he to do now? The truth of it was he could do absolutely nothing. The invitations for the ball at Blithe Manor had been sent out without a single decline. He smirked. But in all fairness, who would dare reject the new Duke’s invitation to celebrate his succession?
Ironically, he would if he could.
But he was the Duke to celebrate, so there was no way through it but forward.
At least that was not his immediate concern.
He had almost a fortnight before that horrid event would come to pass.
He resumed his pacing. Today was the day the new governess was set to arrive and he couldn’t help but be nervous about that event as well.
What if she was horrid and cold? Or overbearing without a hint of joy within her?
Millie deserved a warm, gentle creature to nurture her in contrast to the rather cool, distant mother Cecily had been.
Like their marriage, Cecily had appeared to be the perfect mother, full of beauty and grace to others, but at home she rarely sought out their daughter for walks, cuddles or games.
After Millie was born, Cecily couldn’t wait to deposit her with the wet nurse and be on with her ‘other affairs’ as she called them.
Little did he know she had meant it—quite literally, in fact.
Cecily had been the equivalent of a fine bauble in a shop, for she was quite glorious to look upon through a window and could enamour anyone from afar.
It was only up close when one attempted to uncover all her secrets and know the truth of her that her coldness, cruelty and imperfections were revealed.
If he hadn’t been so smitten and rushed along their engagement, he would have discovered it, so he had only himself to blame.
The familiar sadness, anger and regret washed over him.
How he wished he had taken his time before marrying and had had a different life.
He smiled. But with a different life, he wouldn’t have had Millie and he wouldn’t change having his beautiful daughter for the world.
She kept him tethered to what was important and what mattered.
He released a slow, steady breath as he remembered that. Perhaps they could build a different life if he garnered some patience and courage. He hoped this new governess was the first step to a new beginning for them all.
He closed his eyes and prayed the woman arriving today would be kind, young and accepting of his daughter.
He had intentionally placed a generic advertisement in several of the news sheets outside London for a governess for a two-week trial to test the woman’s compatibility with Millie…
and to make sure he didn’t rush into another hasty commitment.
He had omitted any information about the position being for the new Duke of Wimberley to avoid any ladies who merely wished notoriety.
Those who answered the advertisement were asked to then write about why they wished to be a governess for his daughter.
Miss Potts’s answer had been the most intriguing of the bunch and thus her invitation for employment.
Once she had accepted the terms of her trial employment, the date had been set for her arrival and William had sent his driver Eddie to chariot her to Blithe Manor, not only for her protection but to ensure privacy.
One couldn’t gossip of an upcoming position as governess to a new duke alone in his private carriage, but one could in a stagecoach.
Travelling by private coach was a way to ensure the news of her arrival was minimised and not more public fodder to be digested by the ton.
Once she arrived, she would serve as governess for two weeks.
Then he could commit to a longer contract or simply end her employment without issue. Either way he was spared.
If she ever arrived.
William pulled out his father’s old, burnished silver pocket watch.
It was already almost noon. He muttered under his breath and tucked the watch back in his lucky navy waistcoat pocket.
Eddie and his charge were late, no doubt still hampered by the wet spring roads.
William returned to pacing, now understanding full well why his father had worn a similar path in this very rug.
On days such as this he missed his father more than ever.
Millie burst into the room through the open study door and crashed into his legs, hugging his knee. Miss Bellows reached the doorway moments later, her face flushed and out of breath.
‘Apologies, Your Grace. She wished to see you,’ she rushed out. ‘I believe she might be a bit nervous about today,’ she added.
He nodded and ran a hand over Millie’s dark hair.
‘Please do take a break, Miss Bellows. I will sit with Millie for a while until our new governess arrives.’
‘Thank you, Your Grace,’ she replied and left the room.
Millie tightened her hold on his leg and looked up at him, her eyes wide and uncertain.
William smiled at her reaction, for Millie was as shy of strangers as he was about the prospect of having a future bride.
She was her father’s daughter, and he would never begrudge her for it.
‘It is time, my sweet. And think of her as a new friend to learn from and explore with. I believe you will like her if her letter is any indication of her kindness. Shall I read it to you?’
Millie nodded.
He clutched her hand, grabbed the letter from his desk and they walked over to his large, oversized chair. She clambered up his leg and settled in his lap. He cleared his throat and began reading aloud.
Dear Sir,
I am eager for an opportunity to serve as your new governess for your daughter, even if it is only a trial.
In response to your enquiry, I would teach your daughter as I have learned about the world as an orphan.
I would help her learn not only through books, but through experiences, for what better way is there to understand the world than to immerse yourself in its mysteries from whatever perspective you are given?
Growing up in the country with such humble means without formal schooling has allowed me the opportunity to explore history and nature by wandering through it to find those things that interest me.
I then find books to learn more about those subjects.
While I cannot often afford to purchase those books on my own, I have found others kind enough to loan me books on topics that interest me, which has led me to have a vast and perhaps unusual education.
Thank you for considering me for the position and for the opportunity to serve as governess for your daughter.
Kindly,
Miss Hattie Potts
The woman hadn’t known he was a duke when she’d written her simple, honest reply and it was her short, direct answer that had moved him.
Compared to the other letters full of boastful experiences with past employers or self-assured confidence in their qualifications to serve in such a position, Miss Potts’s subtle uncertainty and openness of her past as an orphan had intrigued him.
He believed she would understand Millie and her difficulties around losing Cecily since Miss Potts had lived through such a childhood and he hoped he was right. Millie sat quietly in his lap after he finished reading her the letter. She toyed with his loosened cravat.
‘I know it has been just us for a while. Let us give her a chance, shall we?’
She studied him for a minute and then gave him a small nod before cuddling into his side. He hugged her tightly, closed his eyes and prayed Miss Potts wouldn’t be yet another disappointment for his daughter to heal from.
William had all but given up on the arrival of Miss Potts when he heard the familiar sound of horses’ hooves clip-clopping on the drive hours later as he worked in his study on settling this month’s accounts.
He glanced up to see the familiar black carriage turning into the long drive leading up to Blithe Manor.
Finally. He exhaled in relief, shrugged on his jacket and sighed.
His pulse quickened and his gut churned with unease. He hoped he’d made the right decision. Everything would be fine. He almost snorted at his attempt at self-deception. Very little in his life had worked out anything close to fine as of late.
Anticipation along with a bit of dread greeted him at the thought of meeting her.
He exited his study and moved with purpose down the grand staircase, letting his hand slide down the smooth, polished rail before stepping into a glistening marble hall.
His housekeeper, Mrs Chisholm, sent the staff scurrying to their places and his butler, Mr Simmons, sniffed and sent one last disapproving glance William’s way.
The older man had served under his father and was less than pleased with the selection for governess William had made.
Mr Simmons wished for William to have selected a woman with more formal schooling and standing.
A stranger from Stow was not his idea of a role model for ‘Lady Millie’ as he now called her.
He was loath to remember Millie was only five years old and far from being a lady expected to know the ins and outs of being the daughter of a duke.
‘Your Grace,’ Mr Simmons said as he opened the door for William.
‘Simmons,’ William replied as he adjusted his jacket, hoping the old man wasn’t right and that William hadn’t blundered yet another aspect of being a father.
He walked down the large cascading stone steps to the gravel drive, his heart thundering in his chest. Please let her look the part of a governess and, above all else, please let Millie love her.
The mud-splattered carriage came to a rocking halt, the wheels caked heavily in muck.
Just as William had expected, the weather must have hampered their journey.
Eddie jumped down from his driver’s box to settle the horses as a young footman rushed forward to open the carriage door.
William held his breath, his chest tightening in anticipation as the door eased open.
He could have sworn the whole household took a collective breath.
The first thing he saw was a worn, mud-splattered boot.
Then, an askew bonnet as the woman leaned forward to monitor the ground before her.
She appeared to be a rather plain-looking young woman dressed entirely in…
brown. The young woman secured her footing on the drive, lifted her head and stood staring out blankly towards him.
She started at the sight of the entire household before her.
He wasn’t sure how this young woman with her rather dated and forgettable ensemble and slightly rolled-in shoulders was the same person from her letter.
She looked more like a baby wren having fallen out of its nest than a governess.
She was a bit bedraggled and wide-eyed…and looked, well, a touch…
frightened. But it was also far too late for him to rally any other options and first impressions could be deceptive as he well knew.
Best get on with it.
William sucked in a steadying breath and approached the petite, timid creature. Time was wasting as it was and this was the path he had chosen. He would give her a chance and try to trust his decision despite how uncertain he was now.
‘Miss Potts?’ he said as he settled in front of her.
She stilled and studied him, her brown eyes widening. ‘Your Grace? Duke of Wimberley?’ she replied in the form of a question followed by a staggering curtsy.
‘Yes,’ he answered simply, tucking a hand in his trouser pocket. ‘I hope you had a safe journey,’ he enquired, sticking to generalities for now.
‘Indeed,’ she said and flashed him an unexpectedly brilliant smile that showcased a dimple in her left cheek.
There was something. She had a lovely smile. He felt her joy in that smile. He almost sighed aloud in relief as some of his worry loosened in his chest. Not all was lost yet. She appeared to be the warm, kind woman he had hoped for.
‘Then I am glad for it, Miss Potts. This is Mrs Chisholm, my housekeeper, as well as our butler, Mr Simmons,’ he said, introducing those most essential to helping her in getting settled in the coming days. ‘Ask them for anything you require.’
He glanced over to the carriage. Eddie removed the smallest travelling trunk William had ever set eyes on along with a rather battered portmanteau. Surely this was not all she had. ‘Is your larger trunk being sent on later, Miss Potts?’
‘This is all I brought along with me, Your Grace. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity in sending your own carriage for my comfort. I have never travelled in anything other than a stagecoach before.’
Her large brown eyes settled upon him. They were wide, soft and, well, a bit charmingly innocent.
He shifted on his feet, disarmed by her trust and belief in him and undone by her gratitude.
It had been some time since anyone had thanked him for his kindness and looked at him with such belief and trust.
He wasn’t sure he deserved it.
‘I am pleased to hear it,’ he replied and cleared his throat, uneasy with her appreciation and uncertain what to do with it.
‘You must be tired. Please come in and, when you are ready, we can meet to discuss your role here as governess at Blithe Manor in the coming weeks. I can also introduce you to Miss Bellows, Millie’s day nurse, and of course my daughter, Millie. ’
‘Thank you, Your Grace.’ She flushed, brushing at her skirts.
‘I shall freshen up. I apologise for my appearance. I did not expect you to greet me upon my arrival. It was kind of you to make the time to do so.’ She again bobbed her body up and down in an attempt at a curtsy, then scurried up the stairs behind Mrs Chisholm before he could utter a reply.
Simmons edged over to him, dropping his voice low. ‘It is not too late to send her on her way home without harm, Your Grace. She does not look the sort to be a governess to a family of your standing.’
William was tempted, but then remembered her smile. There was something there in that smile and he had to believe and trust in his choice and at least try.
‘Let us not give up just yet,’ William replied. ‘There may be a hidden gem within all those shades of brown. We must have the patience to uncover it.’
The lie sounded fine upon his lips. Now he merely needed to believe it to be the truth.