A Most Unusual Governess (25 page)

It was an hour later. Miss Yardley and her father had departed, and James was strolling with Sarah through the elegant gardens that lay behind Randall House.

Sarah could not resist a gurgle of laughter as she recalled the disastrous afternoon, 'Poor Dominic! How could he have been so deceived?'

'Miss Yardley has a very pretty face and very pretty manners, said James. 'She is well dressed and has an air of elegance. She is lively and talkative and, when she feels it is worth her while, she knows how to please. Add to that the fact that Dom has always been willing to believe the best of people, and it isn't difficult to see why he was so taken in.'

'Even so... '

James nodded. 'Even so, a marriage with Miss Yardley would have proved disastrous. Because Miss Yardley is indeed beneath him, and sooner or later Dom would have discovered it for himself. And if that had happened after their marriage, rather than before, it would have made him miserable.'

Sarah stopped. James stopped, too. She had been determined to discover that Miss Yardley was a lovely young woman but she had found quite the opposite. She had to admit that James was right. Miss Yardley was beneath Dominic. Not just because she came from a lower position in life. Not just because her family had no connections. But because, as James had known all along, she was ignorant and vulgar.

'Do you remember when you apologised to me about the children? When you had seen for yourself what a difference it made to William's character, being allowed to play?' she asked. Well, this time I am the one who has to apologise. You were right and I was wrong. Miss Yardley is as vulgar as you claimed. It would have been a disaster if Dominic had married her.'

James smiled. Yes. It would have been disastrous. I am a proud man, Sarah, and I wouldn't have wanted Dom to marry someone without connections, but if he had truly loved her then I would not have stood in his way. It was my father who instilled such a strong sense of pride in me, and told me from the earliest age that I must marry someone from an old family.'

'Did you not object?' asked Sarah curiously.

He shook his head. 'I have to say that, when I was younger, marriage did not interest me, so that I was happy to agree with my father. The only thing that interested me was going into the army. My father had been understanding about my ambition - it is not usual for older sons to go into the army, but I had my heart set on it, and he did not stand in my way - and so I was happy to agree with him on the subject of marriage. Indeed, he arranged my first marriage for me.'

Sarah caught her breath. She had often wondered about James's first marriage. 'Was it... was it happy?' she asked.

He frowned. 'In its way, I suppose. I barely saw Rosabelle. After marrying her I deposited her at the Grange, and then went off to the continent to fight against Napoleon's armies. She went her way and I went mine. And that, I thought - not having anything to compare it to - was a happy marriage. So that when she died, and when I returned from the army, and when I realised I must mariy again — it was either that or be pursued by a host of unmarried young ladies and their matchmaking mamas until I was in my dotage! - I decided to make the another marriage of the same kind. I looked for a meek and quiet young lady who would not interfere with my life in any way.'

'And found her in the person of Miss Leatherhead?' asked Sarah, remembering the rumours that had been circulating in the village.

James gave a wry smile. 'And found her in the person of Miss Leatherhead,' he agreed. 'And I was all set to propose to her - until you came into my life. Telling me what I could and couldn't do. Making me think about you. Making me care about you. And making me realise that marriage had more to offer than meekness and obedience!'

'Poor Miss Leatherhead,' murmured Sarah.

James smiled. 'No. Not poor Miss Leatherhead. She is by now betrothed to Lord Tavistock - a young man who adores her, as she adores him.'

'Theirs at least is a suitable match,' Sarah teased.

'And so is ours,' smiled James. 'I didn't want to fall in love with a governess. I resisted it for a long time. But when it happened; when your absence forced me to acknowled
ge it’.

Yes, James?' asked Sarah softly.

When it happened I didn't care any more. Because once it had happened it didn't matter. I would have married you even if you'd been a scullery maid.'

Sarah nodded. 1 know that now. I think I would have known it at the time if I had stopped to think about it, but you took me by surprise and I was already confused because so much had happened in such short space of time.'

He nodded, understanding.

Who was it who told you about Miss Yardley? he asked curiously. Was it Dominic?

Sarah shook her head. 'He mentioned Miss Yardley a few times in passing, but it was Mrs Smith who told me the whole story. That's what made me think you wouldn't have proposed to me if I'd still been a governess. I thought your only objection to her was her rank, instead of realising your objection was founded on her personality as well. Do you forgive me for doubting you?'

'Only if you forgive me for having been a blind and arrogant fool, and taking far too long to see that I loved you, when I should have known at once.'

He bent his dark head and kissed her softly on the lips.

I'm glad you're not angry with me any more,' she said, as his mouth finally left hers.

'I've never been angry with you.'

She gave a wry smile. Yes, you have, You were so angry with me for doubting you that you didn't come to see me in Bath.'

You made it quite clear you didn't want to see me,' he returned.

'I waited for you to call every day,' she contradicted him. You didn't come. I couldn't think why. Were you really so angry that you would have been content to never see me again?'

He turned towards her with a frown. 1 called on you as soon as I had attended to all the necessary formalities, but I was told that you were "not at home". When I said I would call later - thinking that you were "not at home" because you were resting after your ordeal - I was told you would not be "at home" then either.'

'But I never gave instructions... ' began Sarah, puzzled.

'No one else would have the necessary authority to do so.'

'Nicholas,' Sarah said.

Your brother?'

She gave a sigh. When I first started at the Grange, I sent him a number of letters which were... uncomplimentary,' she said ruefully. 1 told him you were -'

'Rude? Arrogant? High-handed?' asked James with a smile.

Sarah gave an answering smile of her own. Yes,' she admitted. 'Although I later told him that I had been wrong he wouldn't believe it. He persisted in seeing you as some kind of monster who had made his sister's life a misery. I should have guessed what he had done.'

And I thought you were refusing to see me because the change in your fortunes had changed you,' said James, pulling Sarah's hand through his arm and walking on with her. 'But there is one thing I still don't understand,' he said thoughtfully. Why did you go to the cottage with Haversage in the first place? You knew he was up to something, or you wouldn't have sent me the note. So why did you agree to go with him?'

Briefly, Sarah explained about Lucy's hair, mentioning also that, at her suggestion, Lady Templeton had seen to Nelly's dismissal for aiding and abetting Mr Haversage. As he listened to the story unfold James's grip on Sarah's hand tightened, as if he was determined to make sure that nothing ever threatened her again.

'I only hoped that you would understand the note,' she finished.

'I would have needed to be a genius to understand it. But as soon as I read it I knew something was wrong.' He paused. 1 still can't decide whether it was brave or foolish of you to go with Haversage alone.'

'I knew I wouldn't be alone for long.'

You never doubted that I'd come?'

She shook her head. 'Never. I trusted in you completely.'

He turned to face her. Those are some of the best words I have ever heard. There are only three words I'd like to hear more.' He turned to face her, his black eyes looking directly into her own and sending shivers of awareness down her spine. 'I love you, Sarah, but I need to know if my feelings are returned.'

'Oh, yes, James,' she said, smiling up at him. They are. I love you. With all my heart.'

He took her hands. 1 asked you once before to marry me. I'm asking you again now. Sarah, will you be my wife?'

'Oh, yes, James.'

And the kiss that followed was sweeter than the one before.

It was broken off only when one of the gardeners appeared, trundling a wheelbarrow in front of him, at the end of the path.

'Although it might be unfair to Susannah,' said Sarah teasingly. 1 had just arranged with Lady Templeton that Susannah should be my replacement as Lucy's governess. It seems she won't be needed after all.'

1 think well appoint her,' said James. 'Lucy will need a governess, especially whilst we are on our honeymoon. Well go to Paris. Now that the war is over, there's so much I want to show you.'

'And so much I want to see. And who knows,' she added thoughtfully, If Susannah spends the winter at the Grange... '

'Matchmaking, Sarah?' asked James with a smile. Who knows, you may be right? I think Dom and Susannah might suit very well. But not as well as us,' he added with a smile.

'Even thought I turned your life upside down?' she teased him.

'Because you turned my life upside down,' he laughed. 'Because you taught me so much about life. And about the children. And the more I saw you with them, the more I longed to give you children of your own!'

Wasn't that very improper?' Sarah teased him, giving him a sideways glance.

'Most improper,' he agreed with a wicked smile. *But also, most enjoyable.' He put his finger under her chin and turned her face up so that her eyes met his own. 'You've taught me so much, Sarah, but there is so much I want to teach you.'

He kissed her again.

When at last he let her go she said, If all the lessons are as enjoyable as that one, I can't wait to begin.'