He wanted to know more about her.
Chapter 5
Alice berated herself all morning long. Silently.
The moment dinner had finished the evening before, Alice had slipped away without a word to anyone. She had filled her role, balancing the table, and she wanted nothing more than to escape without any further notice.
The children went through their lessons on literature, penmanship, and French with ease. They were advanced in those areas. Then she settled Lord James with supplies to draw out a map of his father’s estate, while she gave the girls samplers to practice their embroidery.
Pretending to read a book, Alice sat in a chair where she could easily watch them all. The duke would send Lord James to school in January, as befitting a future duke, but she would keep the girls until their mother deemed it time for them to leave the schoolroom as their eldest sister had.
Alice had only caught glimpses of Lady Josephine, who was nineteen years of age. She had sat near her mother at dinner the evening before, between two handsome men at least a decade older than she.
Lady Josephine had captivated and charmed her companions throughout dinner. She had a beauty that many Englishwomen would long for, with deep brown hair and eyes, and a petite form that spoke of grace and good breeding. It was interesting, the differences between the duke’s eldest daughter and Alice. Lady Josephine was younger but had more influence and command of a room than Alice would ever experience.
Not that Alice envied her that. In all her time learning how to disappear until someone wanted her, Alice did not think she would enjoy having people constantly on the watch for what she would say or do.
She had not even managed to hold the attention of one gentleman, nor to converse without taking offense. The memory of that horrid scene made her groan aloud.
“Is something the matter, Miss Sharpe?” Lady Isabelle, the eldest of the children in the schoolroom, sounded concerned. “Are you ill?”
Alice peered over the edge of her book, keeping her expression neutral. “I am perfectly well, thank you. I merely read something disturbing.” She turned a page in the book. “Continue your work.”
Lady Isabelle exchanged a glance with her sister, who huffed. Perhaps the two had hoped an ill governess meant a cessation of their work.
Lady Rosalind stabbed her embroidery needle rather harshly into the fabric. “I wish there was more to do than school. Mother and Father’s guests all leave today, and that was the only interesting thing about this week.”
“That and meeting our new governess,” Lady Isabelle corrected with haste. The girl would make a politician a wonderful wife someday. “But at least they are not all going.”
The younger sister paused in her work to glare across the table at Lady Isabelle. “You cannot mean to be glad about Mr. Gardiner. He might look young, but he’s as grumpy as an admiral.”
Although curious how many admirals the child had met, Alice remained silent. She listened instead. Why would the gentleman remain behind when the other members of the visiting party dispersed?
Shrugging in an almost French manner, Lady Isabelle answered without lifting her gaze from her work. “I do like looking at him, though. He can be kind, too. But I dislike when he speaks of his horrid little insects.” She shivered dramatically.
Lord James paused in his map-making to glower at both sisters. “He still won’t let me use his nets or cages to catch spiders.”
Lady Rosalind sniffed. “As well he should not. You would do something horrid with them.”
Alice turned another page in her book, though she had not read a single line in some time.
“But Father commissioned Mr. Gardiner, so should he not do as we say?” Lord James asked, a near whine creeping into his tone.
As governess, it was time to speak up. “Your father also commissioned me to teach you until January, Lord James. But I do not do what you say.”
The boy muttered, “Then what’s the point of being a duke’s son?”
Alice lowered her book to her lap. “Dear me. I hope you do not mean to be tyrannical with your powers. I would imagine the point of being a lord has less to do with telling others what to do and more with how to exert your influence in a way that betters the country and the people under your care.”
Although the boy did not appear chastened, he furrowed his brow and went back to work on his map.
Mr. Gardiner had been commissioned by the Duke of Montfort to do something. Something regarding insects. Given his state the day before, capturing and observing the butterfly, whatever it was took his full attention.
How fortunate he was to have not only a subject which interested him, but which others found useful.
A knock at the door brought everyone’s gaze up. Alice rose. “Enter, please.” She put down the poor book she had used as a prop for her wool-gathering.
A woman Alice had not yet met entered the room, dressed in the clothing of a gentlewoman. “Do pardon me for interrupting, but Her Grace has sent for Lady Isabelle and Lady Rosalind.” She was taller than Alice, with dark brown ringlets of hair styled in curls, and flashing eyes that bespoke a good sense of humor.
Both girls immediately came to their feet. Alice checked the clock on the schoolroom mantel. “I imagine you will move on to your art lessons after you attend your mother, so I will see you both at two o’clock unless informed otherwise.”
“Yes, Miss Sharpe.” The girls spoke and curtsied in unison, then left the room with barely concealed glee. Given the time of day, Alice would guess their mother had invited them to take refreshment with her. It was likely the first time since the guests had arrived the week before that they would have the opportunity to spend time with the duchess alone.
The woman at the door watched them walk away, then looked back into the room. “We have not been introduced yet, Miss Sharpe. I am Emma Arlen, companion to Lady Josephine since her entrance into Society last year.” She came into the room, clasping her hands before her.
Alice relaxed. Here was someone in the household in a position similar to her own. Not a part of the family, but not truly part of the staff. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Arlen. I believe this is the first time I have even caught a glimpse of you.”
“The castle is quite large.” Miss Arlen raised her eyebrows. “It is a wonder more of us do not get lost or marooned in the wrong wing, waiting for someone to rescue us.”
That elicited a laugh from Alice. “I have done my best not to stray from the main halls for just that purpose.”
“Wise of you. I understand you went to dinner last night. I was sorry to miss you there. We might have enjoyed a pleasant conversation afterward.”
“Oh, yes. I balanced the table when the vicar’s wife fell ill.” Alice immediately wondered why they had asked her, rather than the eldest daughter’s companion, who ranked higher than Alice in the hierarchy of staff.
Miss Arlen tilted her head to the side, as though she had heard Alice’s unspoken thought. “My family lives nearby, and it was my evening to be with them.” She gestured to Alice with a graceful wave of her hand. “I should like to come to know you better, Miss Sharpe, now that we have met properly. Perhaps the two of us might take tea together tomorrow? Lady Josephine is to receive instruction from her grandmother, and I need not be present.”