Pursuing the Governess, page 4
What was she to do?
The other passengers milled about, stretching their legs until the mail was delivered and they were once again on their way. The only time they ever stopped long enough to do more than take a breath of fresh air was when the driver wished to relieve himself or take a bit of sustenance. But even then, they were not to dawdle, or they’d be left behind.
Regina found a bench along the walk, settled onto it, and opened her reticule. As much as she wished it, the funds in her possession had not multiplied. She carried just enough for a few meals, and lodgings for two nights, the same as she’d had in Edinburgh when she’d first entered the employment agency. What she did not have were funds for a new wardrobe.
Regina glanced down at her dress and thought to pull her pelisse close before someone noticed her appearance. The hem of her gown was muddy and there was a stain from the wine that one of the passengers had spilled onto her lap yesterday. She could not present herself for an interview dressed like this.
Oh, why hadn’t she asked for funds when she’d written to her cousin? She’d told him of the position that she’d likely take in Willanton but hadn’t asked for financial assistance. She had considered it but decided to wait until she was settled. Besides, it wouldn’t do to receive correspondence from Lord Rennick as it would lead to too many questions from Mrs. Downing or her new employer. Questions that Regina did not wish to answer.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes. She squeezed them shut and gritted her teeth. She had suffered worse than this and would manage somehow.
There was a modiste across the street, Les Modes de Monique, and Regina could only hope that the cost was reasonable and that it wouldn’t take long to sew a simple day dress.
She stood, clutched her reticule, and lifted her satchel before she marched across the street. Maybe the proprietress would take pity on her?
No. Regina squelched the thought. She would not take charity, or be pitied, ever. She would get through this one way or the other.
A bell tinkled above the door when she entered, and a beautiful woman came from the back room. Her smile was warm and welcoming, which helped put Regina at ease, somewhat.
″Good afternoon.” Her smile broadened. “I am Monique. How may I help you?”
Regina quickly introduced herself and explained that her trunk had been left behind and she needed clothing. “How much for a dress?”
The bell tinkled again, and Regina turned to note a brunette entering the shop.
″Good afternoon, Lady Timothy,” Monique greeted.
″Miss Pierce, I would like to introduce you to Lady Timothy Strotham. She and her husband own the lending library down the street.”
″Strotham?” Regina questioned.
″Yes,” Lady Timothy answered. “Are you familiar with the family?”
″I know a Lord Matthias Strotham,” Regina answered.
Lady Timothy smiled brightly. “I’ve not yet had the honor of meeting my husband’s older brother,” she chuckled.
Regina couldn’t very well let on how she knew Lord Matthias. Then again, the family wasn’t unknown in London. “I thought Lord Timothy was a fellow at Oxford.” If he were living here now, it was one more person that she’d need to avoid.
″He gave up his profession to own a lending library,” she chuckled.
″And his brother is an investigator with Bow Street,” Regina added.
″Rather odd professions for the younger sons of Marquess Shomberg in that none of them chose the military or the church.”
″I’m certain they are happy with their choices,” Regina offered without any facts upon which to make her opinion but could think of nothing else to say.
Both Monique and Lady Timothy were not only beautiful but dressed fashionably. Regina caught sight of herself in the mirror and groaned. Any semblance of a hairstyle was gone. Half of her hair had fallen and the other flattened to the side of her head from sleeping against the side of the coach. As for her dress, well, it should probably be turned into rags. Worse, she hadn’t even thought to drop her veil, yet neither of these women reacted when they looked at her. For a slight moment, she’d even forgotten about her scars.
″Are you continuing on or staying with us in Willanton?”
It took Regina a moment to realize Lady Timothy had asked the question. Both women watched her expectantly. What had they been saying while she was ruminating over her appearance?
″I am to have an interview with Lord and Lady Melcombe tomorrow, but I cannot present myself looking like this.” She opened her arms and gestured to her dress.
Monique quickly explained about the missing trunk.
Lady Timothy raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down. “I do not wish to be rude, but I must agree.”
″Let me see what I have in the back.” Monique disappeared, leaving Regina alone with Lady Timothy.
Lady Timothy grinned. “I was to be their governess.”
″What happened?” If this lovely lady before her could not land the position, what chance did she have?
″I married.” She shrugged. “Before coming to Willanton I lived in a village in Scotland, where I met my husband before he traveled here. I thought I was to interview for the position of Lord Melcombe’s governess but found myself soon married.”
Relief swept through Regina as Monique returned with a simple, dark green dress. It was perfect for her purpose and appeared as if it would be a close fit.
″How much?” There was no point in getting her hopes up if it was too costly.
Alec settled into the chair before Mrs. Downing’s desk. He wanted the interview behind him. He simply wanted to hire a governess and be on his way. He had arrived in Edinburgh yesterday and was already desperate to return home.
Percival lounged against the fireplace, having come along to make the introductions, and Alec knew that he wanted to leave so that he could find his pleasure elsewhere. While Percival planned on enjoying himself immensely, Alec couldn’t find the same enthusiasm for the city. Nor did he have any desire to take part in any of the planned debaucheries. When he’d left home, he thought perhaps a doxy might be the distraction he needed, but he could find no interest last night when he and Percival had visited an exclusive and expensive brothel.
Percival didn’t understand and would probably carry on here as he did in London, going from one light skirt to another and Alec was hard-pressed to explain why he had no wish to do the same. Alec wasn’t even certain he understood it himself. In the past, he and Percival had been of the same mind. But not after last Season.
″We only consider employers on the recommendation of others,” Mrs. Downing began. “Lord Percival spoke highly of your character, but I’m to understand the governess is not for you.”
″It is my cousin who is in need of a governess for his wards, and I thought to assist him in his search.”
″I’m afraid I cannot help you.”
Alec sat forward. “Why not?”
″Your cousin would need to contact me directly if he wished to employ a governess, then I’d need to investigate his references before sending someone to his home.”
″References? He is a viscount, wealthy, and married. What else do you need to know?”
″Not all lords are trustworthy, and I’d not send any of my girls into a home where they might be ruined.”
Alec snorted. “I can assure you that my cousin would never consider anything so immoral.” However, it was probably best not to tell Mrs. Downing that Preston had seduced and married his first governess.
″I cannot help you. He must contact me,” she insisted.
″What if you knew his name and location of his estate. Percival would vouch for my cousin’s character.”
″I am sorry, but it makes no difference. I simply cannot send someone to be interviewed.” She stood, bringing the interview to an end. “Besides, I do not know of any governesses seeking a position.” She ushered them out of her office and to the entry where a footman stood before a trunk.
″Where did that come from?” she asked.
The footman blushed. “I found it on the back of the carriage. I forgot to unload it when Miss Pierce boarded the coach.”
Mrs. Downing’s eyebrows rose. “You mean to tell me that she is to appear for an interview with Lord Melcombe tomorrow and does not have a change of clothing, but only what she wore when she left here two days ago?”
The footman hung his head in shame just as Percival burst out laughing.
″What is so humorous?” Mrs. Downing demanded of Percival.
″I do hope this Miss Pierce is a governess because Lord Melcombe is the very cousin of my friend he is here to assist.”
″Well then, that seems to have worked out, except she is without her belongings.” Mrs. Downing focused back on the footman. “You will get that trunk to her immediately.”
″I will,” Alec offered. “I intended to leave for Willanton today. I promise to deliver the trunk directly to my cousin so that Miss Pierce is not without her belongings or worried about what became of them.” And, when he did so, he’d remind Preston of the promise he had made to assist him this Season and that he had no further excuses.
″I do not know you, Lord Harwich. How do I know you will do as you say?” Mrs. Downing asked.
″He came all this way to assist his cousin. Lord Harwich will do as he says. On that you have my word,” Percival vouched for him.
″Very well.” She sighed. “Load the trunk onto Lord Harwich’s carriage,” Mrs. Downing instructed the footman, then turned to Alec. “Make certain it is there before you leave town.”
He and Percival stepped out onto the walk and supervised the loading of the trunk.
″You really are going to return to Willanton, now, aren’t you?”
″Yes.”
″What happened to you?” Percival asked. “In the last year, you have lost all life, doing only what is necessary. I am not certain you even know how to enjoy yourself anymore.”
More happened than he’d ever tell anyone, especially Percival, who would never understand. “Perhaps I have matured.”
Percival snorted.
″I presume you will not be returning with me?”
″No. I will remain until I grow tired of Edinburgh, then I will return to London.”
″I hope you have an enjoyable time.”
Alec gave instructions to his driver to return to their hotel so he could collect his belongings and return home.
Chapter 5
Regina smoothed the skirt of her borrowed gown. The one she’d purchased from Monique had done well for the interview, but she needed more than one dress until her wardrobe could be replaced. Thankfully she and Lady Melcombe were of a similar size. Her employer had been generous in loaning the clothing she’d worn as a governess until Regina’s trunk could be located, or a new wardrobe could be ordered. At the loss of her trunk, Regina had written to her cousin Joseph and asked for better access to her funds. She hadn’t asked for the whole of her inheritance, but only enough so that if she found herself in a financially difficult situation, she wasn’t left destitute until he could assist.
Nobody knew that she had an inheritance since Regina Rutledge was dead and thus those funds set aside were absorbed into the estate. However, Joseph made certain that it was still hers and kept the accounting.
Loaning clothing wasn’t the only thing Lady Melcombe had offered, but also her silence.
Regina was certain that the former Miss Althea Claywell would call her out for being a fraud the moment Regina stepped into their home and lifted her veil. Instead, Lady Melcombe studied her, tilted her head, and studied her a bit more. She had opened her mouth to speak a few times, then closed it before she finally welcomed Miss Pierce, and then sat with her husband while they interviewed Regina. She was then offered the position and Lady Melcombe took her upstairs to show her the set of rooms set aside for the governess. Regina had held her breath and waited for Lady Melcombe to speak as soon as she closed the door.
“What game are you about Miss Rutledge? We read that you had died in a fire. Why are you going about claiming to be a Miss Pearl Pierce?
Regina had blown out a breath. “It is not a game, Lady Melcombe,” she said, turning to a former acquaintance. This was the very reason she wished to be in Scotland, and far away from polite society because she feared being recognized.
“Then what is it?” Lady Melcombe demanded. “I read the dates when you had supposedly been a governess in those other households, times when I knew you were in London.”
“They were fabricated by Bow Street and if you send an inquiry to my former employers, they will assure you that I was a governess to their children.”
Lady Melcombe’s mouth had popped open. “Why?”
“It was better for everyone that I remained dead.” Tears came to her eyes.
“I must ask, is it because of your scars? I assume they are a result of the fire in your home.”
She knew that Lady Melcombe would come around to asking that question.
“They are not the reason for my new identity,” Regina answered honestly. “Mr. Vickery had boasted that if given the chance and if I had not died, he would have made good on his threat to my father for humiliating him.”
Lady Melcombe winced. “I recall reading the accounts in the newssheets, and I’d witnessed some of his declarations last spring.”
“Bow Street feared for my safety and as I did not want to face the scandal, and try to defend myself to the ton, which as you know is impossible, I agreed. Lord Matthias, the Runner, arranged for a new identity and everything I needed to disappear.”
“Vickery’s hatred was well known,” Lady Melcombe confirmed. “He painted you in the wrong and him in the right at each opportunity.”
“If I suddenly returned now, my reputation would be in shreds, then there would be gossip and speculation, and worse. But the biggest fear is that Vickery will feel the need to make good on his threat after boasting what he would like to do to me. That is why this is easier.”
“What of your family? Do they know you are alive?”
“Only my cousin, who is the new Viscount Rennick, and he will never tell anyone. Not even his mother or sisters.” Regina sighed. “They are another reason I remain dead. I will not have my cousins tainted by my scandal and hopefully, by the time they have their first Season, everyone will have forgotten me.”
Lady Melcombe nodded. “I see.”
“If you wish for me to leave, I understand,” Regina had finally said.
“No. Of course not.” Then she looked up. “Have you ever really been a governess?”
“For a little over two months, but I could not remain in that household.”
“Why?”
Regina quickly explained about McGowan and his guests.
“Goodness. I do not blame you for leaving. It’s a pity you had to leave the child behind.”
“As you know, fathers, especially when they are lords, retain all authority over their children. I just hope she never witnesses what I had.”
“Or the maids can protect her when she is older, or her father has outgrown his immoral behavior.”
Regina could only pray that it was so, or he married, and his wife brought respectability to the household again.
However, there was nothing she could do, unfortunately. “You will allow me to stay?”
“Yes. I became a governess to the girls with even less experience than you.” She laughed. “I had been running away, but that is another story for another day.”
Regina breathed a sigh of relief that she’d not be turned out, except she still had one other concern. “Will you hold my secret?”
“Of course.”
“Even from Lord Melcombe?”
Her employer had paused but didn’t answer.
“I just do not want others to know. Besides, Miss Regina Rutledge no longer exists.”
Lady Melcombe bit her lip, then sighed. “I cannot keep such a secret from my husband.”
Regina blew out a sigh. “I understand.” She would need to leave because once Lord Melcombe knew, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t say something to Alec. Further, he may want her gone so that his nieces were tainted by her soiled reputation.
“Rest assured, that if I ask my husband to say nothing, he will hold your secret.”
She looked up into Lady Melcombe’s sincere eyes. “Are you certain?”
“I promise.”
“I hope you understand that if you have visitors who may have known me in London, that I will remain above stairs.”
Lady Melcombe studied Regina for the longest time before she finally agreed. She knew Society as well as Regina. It wasn’t just Regina being alive that she didn’t want others to know, but what had truly become of her that night. “I understand.”
After she was left alone, Regina had slept the full night for the first time in a very long time, and the following day started to come to know the girls. On the second day, they insisted on riding after the morning lessons.
It was good to be atop a horse again. One of her favorite activities, when she lived with her father in the country, had been riding and it had been over a year since she’d ridden. At first, she feared the danger given two of her charges were only five and seven, but the concern was put to rest when two grooms took the girls up before them. Two other grooms rode to each side in the event one of the other girls needed assistance, or a horse bolted. The entire ride had been uneventful, though she did see a good number of sheep, and they had to keep calling Theodora back because she wanted to go faster. According to Delia, the eldest, Theodora was horse mad and behaved more like a boy than a girl. Further, she believed it was unlikely someone who insisted on being called Teddy instead of Theodora would ever turn into a lady.
The person least happy that they were riding was Matilda. Not that she didn’t like horses, she just considered riding them a waste of time when she could be reading. She’d even asked Regina if she could remain back, but Delia reminded her that they were all to ride at least four afternoons a week for exercise.
