The Duke and The Governess by Lyndsey Norton

doesn’t act like it. He had acted in panic, instead of deliberation. As a businessman he should have known better, panicky decisions always were more expensive. He shook his head and watched her carria ge vanish into the city streets, not realising that this was the costliest mistake of his life, because he would never see his favourite daughter again.
    Jessica sat with her spine like a ram-rod as the tears poured down her face. Anthony was just going to pat her hand as a comfort, but she jerked her hands away from him and shuffled across the seat to distance herself. Slowly she got to grips with her emotions and decided there and then that they were the last tears she would ever shed for her family or herself. Crying didn’t get you what you wanted and only caused more trouble.
    The c oach journey was difficult and long from London and Anthony secured rooms for them at a couple of inns along the way. On the first night, at dinner, Anthony tried to be jovial, but he was wasting his time.
    ‘I understand.’ He said softly. ‘It must be very difficult to accept that your husband has gone to war.’ His hazel eyes softened with compassion.
    ‘What is difficult to accept is that your brother agreed to marry me when he doesn’t even know me.’ Jessica said firmly. ‘And please don’t give me that rubbish that’s been bantered about by the gossips. Your brother was in the garden with Lady Saddleworth, not me!’ she said harshly, ‘and it was very badly done by him to involve me in his amorous affair!’
    ‘Do you mean to tell me that he didn’t have you in Devon’s garden?’ Anthony asked in astonishment.
    ‘He did not. I was saddened by some terrible news and had retreated to the garden for a weep and I happened to see Lady Saddleworth come out of the bushes, followed not two minutes later by your brother and the next t hing I know it’s me with my skirt around my waist!’ Jessica said in disgust. ‘I would hope to have a little more decorum than to find myself in such a position .’
    ‘My father is not going to be pleas ed about this. I wondered why David was in such a hurry to get away from the church.’ He smiled gently. ‘Now I understand. He didn’t want to consummate the marriage just in case he wants to have it annulled.’
    ‘I agree with you. He seems intent on saving his own skin at the expense of other people. I’m actually quite glad, because your father might be prevailed upon to dissolve the marriage if I try hard enough.’
    ‘Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t. He’ll only do that if David requests it and I don’t think he will while he’s in Portugal.’
    ‘What’s your father like?’ Jessica asked.
    ‘ I would never have described him as a very fair and upright man and seeing the underhand way you have been treated; my assessment hasn’t changed overly much . Are you under age?’
    ‘No, I’ m twenty one , but my father wasn’t going to let me say no and now it’s too late.’
    By the time they reached the family seat at Ross-on-Wye, Jessica and Anthony had developed a firm friendship, but nothing prepared her for the barrage of abuse s he received from her new father-in- law.
    She stepped out of the carriage, resting her hand on Anthony’s and was met at the top of the stairs by the officious butler Richmond, who looked down his nose at her as if she was a lump of horse muck.
    ‘His Lordship is in the study, my Lord and he will see her in there.’ Jessica felt Anthony bristle beside her.
    ‘Richmond! In fut ure you will address my sister-in- law as Her Ladyship or Lady Jessica. Do I make myself clear?’ Anthony demanded and Richmond squirmed and nodded consent.
    Anthony led the way and already Jessica was filled with trepidation . He knocked on the door and opened it at the invitation to do so.
    ‘Ah! Here is the little baggage.’ Stephen Carruthers said callously. ‘It took you long enough to get here. Were you busy servicing my son on the way? ’ Jessica was