Virtue of a Governess (14 page)

“Please?” His eyes softened with the plea.

Hoping her trembling didn’t show, she swallowed and wondered at her reasoning when she said she would.

They walked for the length of the street, content to let the city noise, the pedestrians and traffic occupy them for a time. Nicola didn’t know how to start a conversation with him. Her mouth seemed to have shut tighter than a clam. Would he propose again? She hoped he wouldn’t, for she utterly believed she wouldn’t know how to refuse for a second time. And did she want to?

Sneaking a peek at him from under her hat brim, she sighed inwardly at his handsome profile. Not many women would refuse such a man. So, why had she?

“If you are not tired, we could cross over and walk through the Domain?”

She glanced up at him and smiled nervously. “I am not tired.”

He raised his hand as though to place it over hers, but slowly lowered it back to his side. “I had intentions of calling on you this afternoon.”

“Oh?” Her stomach clenched at the thought.

“On Frances’s behalf.”

“I see.” Disappointment echoed through her, which made her frown in surprise. What did it matter if he wasn’t coming to see her for himself? What did she expect? It was intolerable to be so confused and it was all his fault.

“She is extremely distressed, Miss Douglas, and begs your forgiveness.”

Nicola gazed over to the harbour in the distance. The park was littered with people enjoying the warm day. She wished she strolled peacefully and without this man beside her. How could she enjoy the park and the view when her head swam with thoughts and questions and her body…

“Will you forgive her?”

She bowed her head and went to sit on a bench under a large Norfolk pine tree. Arranging her skirts, she avoided looking at him. “Do you know what she said to me, Mr West?”

“I do. She had no right to say what she did, and she knows that.” Taking off his hat, he ran his fingers through his dark hair and Nicola watched him in guilty pleasure. He caught her staring and smiled a slow smile full of warmth and something else, something devilish.

Jerking to her feet, Nicola fiddled with her reticule. It was madness to be in his company. She lost all reason with him near. “I must return. Thank you for the walk.”

His hand shot out and stopped her as she went to rush by him. “Don’t go…please.” The anxious concern in his eyes melted her resistance.

“Tell Frances I do forgive her.” She stared down at the grass, her mind whirling. Why did she have such a response to this man? Her traitorous body yearned for his touch. This was never in her plans when she sailed from England. She came to teach, to have a career and be independent, to rely on no one.

“Nicola…” He said her name on a sigh as soft as a night’s breeze and she swayed gently towards him. His hand inched up her arm, burning the skin beneath his fingers. “Look at me…”

She dragged her gaze to his face and saw the same yearning reflected in his eyes. His lips parted and she sucked in a breath, thinking he would kiss her, but a child’s cry from nearby broke the magic around them and they both jumped guiltily.

“I must go.” With one hand she lifted her skirts high enough for her to hurry from him, her cheeks burning and her breath caught in her throat.

A bang from above her head made Nicola wince. The labourers she’d hired to move the furniture from the old house and into the new one were clumsy and lazy. Already they had dropped a crate of kitchen crockery and broken several things inside. Between them and the maid, Hannah, there would be nothing left.

“Nicola,” Meg called from the other room.

Sighing, she left the unpacking of the drawing room and crossed the entry hall to the parlour opposite where crates and furniture were piled haphazardly. “What is the matter? And must you call me as though I’m your dog? I am extremely busy and do not need to keep running to you.”

“Oh, do shush, Nicola. Lord, you’ll have a heart seizure if you don’t calm down, and then how will we be? Now come, look what just arrived.” Meg beamed, pointing to the huge display of flowers sitting on the new piano Mr Belfroy had delivered this morning. “Read the card.”

Nicola took the little white card from the bouquet and read.

Wishing you all the very best of

happiness in this new venture,

Frances and Nathaniel West

“How kind of them.” Meg sniffed the white roses nestled amongst the lilies and greenery. “You are fortunate to have such friends.” She grinned, running her fingers over the piano keys. “As well as me, of course.”

“Of course.” Nicola laughed and tucked the card in her skirt pocket. There wasn’t time to ponder on the gift now, or on those who had sent it, she had so much more to do.

“Have you eaten?”

“No. Have you seen my list?”

“Upstairs I think.” Meg played a little tune and then closed the piano lid.

Another loud bang overhead caused Nicola to groan. “Those men!”

“I’ll go up and speak to them. You find Mrs Nesbit and ask her to make you some tea and a plate of something.” Meg paused by the door. “The unpacking of the whole house doesn’t need to be finished in one day, Nicola. Do calm down and rest. Mr Belfroy will be upset if he thought you were working too hard, and think of us! What on earth would we do if something happened to you?” Her eyes widened in innocence and she laughed.

“Go on with you.” Smiling, Nicola waved her away and then turned her attention to the parlour. The room was of a good size and decorated in hues of blue and cream. A new sofa and chairs had arrived shortly after the piano and a large bookcase now stood on the far wall next to the fireplace. With some touches of home comfort this room would be a nice place for the women to sit and write letters, read or simply relax.

Leaving the parlour, she went down the hall to the next door on the left, the dining room. The long polished table, chairs and a serving side table were all in place. Opposite the dining room was Nicola’s study. In here, boxes crowded the desk and carpet. None of that would be sorted today.

Voices at the front drew her out of the study and back into the hall. Miss McIntyre, a natural leader and organiser, was shepherding in Misses Golding, Barker and Rogers. Nicola smiled at them. “Welcome to your new home, ladies.”

“It is so big, Miss Douglas.” Miss Barker stared up at the landing above. “We will surely lose ourselves and each other here.”

“I do not think we will be of a small number for long, Miss Barker,” Miss McIntyre said in her Scottish accent and stepped closer to Nicola. “I thought we should come and help here. The last cart was packed just as we left and is on its way. There is only cleaning left to do back at the old house and I have instructed Hannah to make a start. I hope that meets with your approval?”

“Certainly, Miss McIntyre, and thank you for your help.” Nicola squeezed her hand, acknowledging her friendship and kindness.

“What can I do to assist you now I’m here?”

“Actually, I’ve yet to inspect the state of the bedrooms since the moving men started. Miss Robinson is up there now, but I have the kitchen to check on and-”

“Leave upstairs to me, Miss Douglas.”

“Thank you.” Turning to the ladies, she gestured to the staircase. “Please, ladies, go up and select a bedroom. For now we have one each, but I am sure that will change soon enough. Oh, and open the windows if you please. The rooms are stuffy in this heat.”

Their chatter drifted up the staircase behind them. Hearing the rumble of wheels on the gravel drive, Nicola took a deep breath and went outside into the warm October sunshine. She still found it strange to have warm weather in the months that she always associated with cooler temperatures. Back home in England the leaves would be falling from the trees, the nights turning cold with winter approaching.

Another cart pulled up in front of the double doors with the last of the furniture. While giving instructions to the two men, who climbed down to untie the ropes, she noticed Mr Belfroy’s carriage turning into the gates. The circular drive was not large and with two carts in front of the house the carriage had to stop on the curve of the drive. Nicola walked down to meet it, and at the same time, made notes on improvements for the gardens, which were neglected and overgrown with weeds. But the back garden looked promising with an abundant orchard and vegetable patch.

“Miss Douglas!” Mr Belfroy climbed down from the carriage and bowed over her hand. “How is it all coming along, my dear?”

“There is some upheaval, naturally. Moving six women, staff and a household of furniture isn’t easy.”

“Indeed not.”

“Later, I would like to speak to you about hiring outside staff.”

“Yes, yes, later, I promise.” He beckoned to the person inside the carriage. “Come out, dear boy, and meet my friend, Miss Douglas.”

Intrigued that Mr Belfroy wasn’t alone, Nicola’s eyes widened as a tall man, dressed in a brown suit with a cream shirt and cravat, stepped out from the carriage. He held his top hat in one hand and with the other he pushed back his over-long hair, the colour of wet sand. He must have been at least six foot four, a height Nicola had rarely seen.

“Good day to you, Miss Douglas.” He spoke with an accent she hadn’t heard before.

“Welcome, sir.”

Mr Belfroy bustled forward. “Miss Douglas, please meet Mr Hilton Warner. He is my cousin’s son, but his mother and I grew up like brother and sister, so Hilton calls me uncle.”

Nicola found her hand taken and kissed. “If I’d known Australia held such beauties, I would have travelled here long ago.” His tanned face broke into an easy smile, crinkling the corners of his hazel eyes.

“Where are you from, Mr Warner, if I may ask?”

“America. The North, but you won’t hold that against me, will you Miss Douglas?”

“I’m sure I won’t, Mr Warner.” Nicola smiled, and gestured to the front door. “Please, won’t you come in? Though I do apologise for the state of the house. I’m not even certain I can offer you refreshments at the moment.”

Warner boldly held out his arm and after a brief hesitation Nicola placed her hand on it. “We don’t need refreshments, Miss Douglas, for we can drink of your beauty.” He frowned as she chuckled. “Was that too overdone?”

“Indeed it was, sir, but I’ll forgive you.” Laughing, she led them inside, where she gave him a guided tour, while Mr Belfroy spoke to the ladies about their job prospects.

Upstairs in one of the bedrooms, Nicola and Mr Warner paused to stare out of the window at the view of the water in the distance. Nicola glanced at the tall American. “When did you arrive in the country, Mr Warner?”

“Yesterday evening.” He leaned against the wall beside the window and gazed at her.

A little flustered at his attentions, she fiddled with the lace curtain, which was in need of a good wash. “And you came specifically to see Mr Belfroy?”

“No, that wasn’t the only reason. I came to open some trade routes for my businesses.”

“How interesting. May I ask what kind of business?”

“Exports and imports between my country and this one.” He folded his arms casually. “My uncle is a clever man, I think.”

“Oh?”

“His passionate endeavours to help abandoned females brings him into contact with admirable women such as yourself. I wish I had thought to champion such a cause and therefore be forever surrounded by elegant loveliness.”

Nicola stiffened. “I can assure you, sir, that Mr Belfroy, your uncle, is most respectful and in no way-”

“Whoa! Hold up there, Miss Douglas.” Warner pushed off the wall and stepped closer. “I meant no disrespect.”

“That is not how it sounded, Mr Warner.”

“Then I shall beg your forgiveness for my crassness.” Teasing replaced the concern in his eyes. “I am indeed backward in my manners, Miss Douglas. I meant no harm with my clumsy humour.”

She nodded. “Yes, indeed. I am too sensitive on the subject. Unfortunately I have seen the ugly side of our situation and, no doubt, will continue to do so.”

“My uncle spoke of the atrocities suffered by good women who only long for decent work. While I am here, I hope to help in any way I can.”

“Really? That is pleasing.”

“I have promised my uncle that I will invest in this house and charity.” He looked around the room. “I think you will need all the extra help you can get.”

“Very true.” Nicola sighed, staring at the faded wallpaper, its rose pattern hardly visible anymore. “I have plans, Mr Warner. This house will be a shining example of our abilities to cope as single, educated women.”

“Will you tell me all about your plans over dinner?”

She shied away from his earnest expression. “I don’t think that would be possible.”

“Why?”

“There is so much to do here. I have days of organising and we could get new arrivals at any time...”

Warner smiled. “Have you run out of excuses now?”

Unable to help herself, she returned his smile and sighed. What harm would there be in having dinner with this man? “Very well. Where shall I meet you?”

“On my ship.” He turned and waved out towards the distant harbour. “I’m staying aboard my ship. The captain is my partner.”

“I see. How exciting.”

“You will come?” He looked as hopeful as a boy at Christmas.

“Only if I can bring my friend, Meg, Miss Robinson.”

“Excellent. Let’s say tonight, around seven?”