A Governess for the Brooding Duke(13)

With her cold and uncomfortable ablutions complete, Georgette got herself dressed. Even though she always had access to a maid in her father’s house, she had not always chosen to use one in dressing and undressing unless she was getting ready for a social engagement and wanted to look her best. She thought now what a good thing that was, for she did not instantly recognize the loss whilst getting herself ready.



Georgette walked into the small closet and chose a medium weight gown in a very dark blue. It was a simple gown and rather plain and, Georgette thought, perfectly suitable for a governess. It had long sleeves with a very narrow frill of white lace about the cuffs. The neckline was a little square and also had the same frill of simple white lace. There were three small buttons running from the neckline to the empire line just beneath the bust. There was a band of satin, just an inch wide, around the empire line. The gown fell almost to the floor, not quite long enough to be impractical.



All in all, Georgette felt smartly turned out without any leanings towards ostentation. She simply wanted to feel comfortable in the knowledge that she had chosen well for her first meeting with the Duke.



Georgette wound her thick chestnut hair and fastened it securely at the back of her head. Fortunately, she had brought a small glass with her, as there was none in her room with which to look at her reflection. It was only a few inches across, but enough for her to check that her glossy hair was neat and tidy. It rather struck her that the deprivations of the governess seemed to be growing by the hour.



Just before eight o’clock, Georgette returned the used jug and bowl to the table outside her room and then sat on her bed to await breakfast. She left the door a little ajar so that she might hear whoever would approach with her breakfast tray.



The moment she heard the merest sound of footsteps on the wooden floorboards, she jumped to her feet and darted across the room. Standing in the open doorway, she watched as a young maid, clad in an austere black gown and crisp white apron, approached holding the tray.



“Good morning,” Georgette said brightly.



The woman was very young indeed, at perhaps seventeen years, and Georgette wondered if it was the same maid who had delivered the cold water for her to wash in.



The maid, who had not seen Georgette standing in the doorway, looked up sharply, somewhat startled by the cheery greeting.



“Good morning, Miss Darrington,” she said in a quiet voice, a shy smile on her face as she gently laid the laden breakfast tray down on the table next to the jug and bowl.



“That looks wonderful, thank you,” Georgette said, looking down at a breakfast which consisted of tea, toast, butter, and pound cake.



“You are welcome, Miss Darrington,” the maid said and looked as if she was not sure if she should curtsy.



“I thank you kindly much for my jug and bowl this morning,” Georgette said, hedging her bets. When she saw the girl blush, she knew she had hit her mark.



“Yes, Miss Darrington.” The girl was scarlet, and she cast her eyes downwards.



At that moment, Georgette felt very sorry for the maid. She was so young that it was highly unlikely that to bring the new governess cold water with which to wash was her idea at all. Rather, Georgette assumed that the young woman had been given very little choice in the matter and that she had been instructed in what she must do.



“It woke me up nicely,” Georgette said brightly, suddenly keen to ease the poor young woman’s conscience.



“I am very sorry,” the girl mumbled, her face still terribly flushed.



“Please do not make yourself uneasy. I am perfectly well aware that you would have been given no say in the thing. I do not blame you, and I should like you to know that.”



“I tried to sneak in some warm water, Miss, but I could not do so without being seen.”



“Please, do not find yourself in trouble over something so simple. Others are at fault, and not you. And I shall say nothing of it and make no complaint whatsoever. Mrs Griffin must have her fun, after all.” Once again, Georgette was hedging her bets.



“She might soften, Miss,” the girl said, finally raising her eyes to meet Georgette’s own. “If you do not say anything, she might grow bored of it.”



“Then I shall take your advice, my dear,” Georgette said and nodded reassuringly. From the girl’s words, she rather gathered that the previous governesses must have complained immediately. If that were what the sour-faced housekeeper was looking for, Georgette would not give her such joy. “Tell me, what is your name?”



“Daisy, Miss.”



“Well, thank you kindly, Daisy. And please be assured that I shall say nothing of our conversation. I should not like to do anything which would see you in trouble with Mrs Griffin or Mr Pearson.”