Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Florence, you must study," Claire stressed, sighing when Florence only crossed her arms over her chest and sneered at her. The history book in front of them lay unopened.

"Perhaps I will," she said. "Then again, I have studied recently. I have read a very impressive book on maintaining the privacy of others. Perhaps you might benefit from it, Miss Gundry."

Ever since the week before, when she had caught Claire sneaking a glance at her letter, the quiet girl had become somewhat outspoken and more sarcastic, and she had refused to cooperate in their lessons.

Claire was getting anxious about it, unsure how to resolve the issue. If Lady Florence showed no progress continuously, then Claire herself would come into question, and she desperately wanted to protect Florence's secret without lying to cover herself.

"Florence, please," she muttered. "I will have no more of this nonsense. You are about to enter society. This is no time for immature games."

"No, it is not. Because apparently, society will teach me how to snoop around other people's belongings."

"Lady Florence." Claire's voice was sharper now, and the young girl stood up straighter. But the truth was she had hit close to home, for her own father had done that to her belongings, finding anything of value, and Lady Florence did not know Claire had been in the same society she was preparing for. She needed to pretend she was speaking from a governess's point of view. "Your lessons must continue. Now."

The girl blinked at her as if playing foolish. "I shall not."

And then Claire thought of something rather clever. She knew Lady Florence had a penchant for historic buildings, and she had met this Lord Victor at the assembly hall, which Claire knew from her own love of history, was opened several decades ago. It would be a perfect segue into getting Lady Florence to talk to her again.

Claire looked askance at Lady Florence. "How about we study somewhere else today?"

***

The question was enough to pique Lady Florence's interest, and within the hour, the two of them were ready to leave for town and had their carriage take them to the centre of Bath. For there was the vastly impressive sight of the Roman baths, and that was exactly where Claire intended to conduct her history lesson that day.

Lady Florence's eyes flicked over the ancient building with disinterest as they exited their carriage. She let out a great sigh as Claire led them into the main area where the bath itself was, overlooked by balconies above and old stone platforms, with stairs descending into the water.

"I am bored, Miss Gundry," Lady Florence said in a flat tone, attracting the stares of some men walking by. They glanced at the young woman, likely thinking her another spoiled debutante-to-be, unappreciative of the beauty of history.

"Then we shall participate in something," Claire said cheerfully. "Look, there is a guided tour. How about that? You can hear—"

"I do not wish to."

Claire stiffened before she forced a smile. "Very well."

She looked around herself at the beauty of the scene in front of her, attempting to imagine the Romans in here, readying themselves for their baths.

"It is a strange notion to think of the users of this bath not having their own baths in their homes," Claire said, attempting yet again to get Lady Florence to talk to her. But she still eyed Claire with discontent, still stubbornly awkward around her, as though they were strangers forced to be reluctant friends.

"We have our own baths now," Claire muttered. "I wonder what advancements we are yet to discover. Perhaps to the Romans, personal baths were a strange notion."

"Hmm," Lady Florence said, not listening. The girl from even just two weeks ago would have been overjoyed at these sights; Claire was sure of it. She would have discussed the advancements, would have made her own guesses and asked what families attended the baths and how it worked. She would have shown an interest.

But the angry Lady Florence Claire guarded now was hurt and stubborn, and Claire knew she could not continue ignorantly. She'd had quite enough of the stubborn tantrums. Her employment was at risk, and—well, she missed the bubbly, quietly intelligent girl.

"Come with me," Claire said insistently. She walked over to a bench that was tucked further back from the pool, relatively sheltered by the floor above them. Expecting Lady Florence to be stubborn about that, too, Claire was happily surprised when her young charge did actually follow her and sat alongside on the bench.

"What is it?"

"I must explain to you my concerns," Claire said. "About your … letter. And before you speak over me once again, I know that you are angry, but you shall listen to me. I am your governess, and you are to be tutored by me. Well, here is my lesson today, and it is not on the Roman baths or French or the pianoforte. It is in men, Lady Florence."

Lady Florence looked taken aback at her speech, and it was perhaps that surprise that finally got Lady Florence's attention. It was incredibly hard-won, but she had it.

Claire's expression schooled into something serious. "Lady Florence, you must listen good and carefully now. You are indeed approaching your debutante. Lord Bannerdown would not tell you this, for he is likely unaware, as are many men. And Lady Katherine … well, I believe she is of the mind that any male attention is good, but that is not always the case."

She sighed and continued, "When I was younger—around seven years ago—I met a man and was positively taken by him. We danced together at my very first ba—" She paused, trying to reframe her experience as a late debutante. "We danced together when I was attending a dinner party."

Lady Florence frowned.

"Not unlike the one Lady Katherine hosted," Claire said, hoping Lady Florence would fill in gaps she couldn't bear to fill with more lies. So, she gave veiled truths instead. Lady Florence nodded slowly. "And he was dashing, scholarly. He enjoyed culture, much like me. We bonded over a love of arts and history, and we corresponded with lengthy letters where we quoted plays to one another. It was very romantic and lovely. However, I sometimes would receive his letters every day for a week, and other days, he would leave me without for two weeks. His interest was very … inconsistent, and it wounded me terribly. I ached to hear from him; I would not eat nor sleep well during the weeks he left me waiting, and my mood would be elated when I did finally receive word."

"He was busy?" Lady Florence asked, finally engaging with Claire.

Claire shook her head. "No. I truly believe he was playing a game where he expressed interest in me for his own gain in one moment, only to almost neglect what we had built the next."

"Were you courting?"

Claire nodded. She and Lord Simon, him only one year her senior, even when she had entered society quite late at the age of twenty, had been positively in love … Or so she had thought. Looking back, she realized her foolishness and his very unpredictable interest that had altered her moods from day to day. She had spent her days hoping that that day would be one that he thought of her and took an interest in her.

"He played with my emotions, Lady Florence," she said gently. Lord Tuberville was quite skilled at the games, she thought. Only to leave me behind completely the moment … the moment that …

Her chest ached, and her lip trembled. She cut off her own thoughts of her father and his actions that had pushed her into the life of a governess, forced to hide.

"I know you do not wish to listen to me," Claire said, taking her young charge's hand. "And I know you think that the man you correspond with is your moon and stars, lighting up your dark nights, but I wish to warn you. More often than not, young men in society will play with young women. They very often receive no consequences for frivolous, careless actions, and not every man has honour as they should. They can ruin a lady with no thought for the woman's future. They can dally and play as they please and hush away their shadowed secrets. We are not so fortunate." She gave a small smile. "They can use young women like yourself for their own satisfaction. They can play with hearts and leave you wanting more because they can. And they know that we wait for them."

"That is your belief, Miss Gundry." Lady Florence's voice was softer than the snarky version it had been, but it was still stubbornly toned. "And your experience. Lord Victor is very different. He loves me, Miss Gundry, and would not wish to hurt me."

I thought the same years ago, Claire thought mournfully.

"All I ask is that you think of it and you do as you wish, but keep my warning in mind," Claire told her, squeezing her hand. "I do not wish to see you hurt."

Lady Florence's eyes held that faraway sparkle as she sighed dreamily. "Lord Victor and I are like Romeo and Juliet." She faced Claire. "I yearn for him as Juliet yearns. I wait for his letters as Juliet awaited on her balcony, night after night, calling for her Romeo. And every night, I believe that he shall return to me, and we shall make our future together."

Claire withered beneath the proclamation. "Lady Florence, I shall remind you that the play ends in tragedy. They both die at the end."

"And it is romantic, is it not?" Lady Florence sighed, giggling. She clasped her hands to her chest, standing up. "We shall have the greatest love of the season! You shall see, Miss Gundry."

***

Claire hoped that she and Lady Florence came to a tentative agreement following their visit to the baths, but she knew it was mostly her hope that wanted it. Lady Florence would have her own daydream that she perhaps needed.

Claire didn't want to be so cynical, but Florence had been through enough without adding heartbreak to the mix of her grief. But it was because of her grief that Lady Florence likely needed the light that this man provided in his letters. In a world that had made Lady Florence lonely and orphaned, forced only to call her governess and distant cousin her only companions, the letters would have made her feel wanted and bright again.

And Claire could only hope the man who wrote to her did not prey on that.

A footman entered the music room where Lady Florence had agreed to keep practicing the pianoforte if only to play a tune from the play of Romeo and Juliet, as Lord Bannerdown had procured the sheet music for her to try out.

"Excuse me, Miss Gundry, but Lady Katherine is calling upon you," he said. Claire's chest immediately tightened. She forced herself not to look at Lady Florence, not to question if she had said anything. Had she understood more about the full story than Claire let on? Had she somehow uncovered her secret?

Claire's heart thudded when she thought of her rifled-through desk and her belongings in disarray.

Surely that had not been Lady Florence, Claire told herself. She would not do such a thing. But she had been so hurt over Claire doing that very same thing to her. With one last glance at her young charge, who seemed confused herself, Claire left the music room and followed the footman to Lady Katherine's bedroom.

Little Harkwell's bright décor helped calm her as she walked up staircases and down hallways until the moment she heard the woman's voice. It drifted from the open doorway up ahead, and Claire's heart rose when she heard Winnie's voice as well.

"Yes, Lady Katherine," Winnie answered to something Claire had not heard.

"And make sure—"

She was interrupted by the knock of the footman to announce Claire's arrival. Claire watched as the older woman paused, flicking her gaze to the doorway with disinterest until she saw her standing there.

"Ah. Miss Gundry. You came much slower than I anticipated."

Her heart thudded harder. "Apologies, My Lady. I came as soon as I was alerted."

"Then next time, do not dawdle."

Behind Lady Katherine, Winnie's eyes rolled. Claire gave her a small smile before she lifted her chin.

"What can I do for you, Lady Katherine?"

"I wish for an update on Lady Florence's progress. The dolt follows you around and attends silly plays, but I wish to know how she is truly doing. Can she hold a conversation in French yet? Is she proficient with an instrument to my satisfaction?"

It was not the questions Claire expected, so she branched but schooled herself properly. "I … Yes, Lady Katherine. Just today, Lady Florence has been playing a score from Romeo—"

"That is foolishness," Lady Katherine interrupted sharply. "I want her playing scores that her future husband will not laugh at her for knowing by heart."

"Lady Katherine?" she asked, confused. "I do not understand."

"I want her to play the great classical tunes. I would like her to be impressive. Do not indulge her whims."

"It is part of her education and also her passion, My Lady."

"Do you contest my desires for my own niece?"

"Not at all," Claire whispered. "Forgive me."

"Hmm." As Winnie styled the lady's hair back from her face, letting some curls hang down around her shoulders, Claire hovered, waiting for her next question. "By the week's end, have her know, from memory, a Mozart piece."

"By the week's end?" Claire gasped.

Lady Katherine's glare was pure ice. "By the week's end, Miss Gundry."

"Yes, Lady Katherine," she murmured, her jaw tightening as she fought not to speak back. Any risk to her employment was detrimental. Lady Florence might be upset with her and argue, but Lady Katherine would have her right out the door within seconds.

Silence settled in the room, the only sound being Winnie's hands tending to Lady Katherine's hair and the shift of the length of curls against the woman's robe. Outside, horses whinnied as they were walked and tended to, and voices of servants drifted from other hallways. But the silence in the room itself was stifling.

"Miss Gundry, did Lord Bannerdown ever divulge his opinion of Lady Samantha to you?" Lady Katherine suddenly asked, causing Claire's temper to rise once again. She swallowed it right back down.

"I …No, Your Ladyship."

"You stutter," she noted. "I assume he has told you something."

"I am merely surprised by your question, Lady Katherine."

Once again, that contemplative "Hmm" came as a response as Lady Katherine met her own reflection in her vanity. "Winnie, do not tug on my hair. Your hands are as rough as a winter's storm wind." To Claire, she said, "I would think Lord Bannerdown has confided in you."

The implication of their closeness and her disapproval of it was clear. Claire swallowed.

"I have no idea of his opinion, Lady Katherine," she lied.

Lady Samantha is lovely both in looks and person, as the viscount always said, she recalled him saying, sharing the thought of the girl's former betrothed. Claire was glad Lady Katherine did not look directly at her, for she was sure that her lies would have been written across her face.

"I see." Lady Katherine nodded. She stood up from her vanity and rounded on Claire. "Winnie, leave us."

As the lady's maid ran out, she spared a glance at Claire, who had to pretend not to see her and kept her focus on Lady Katherine, but as Winnie passed, Claire let her hand brush the maid's in a silent show of solidarity.

But then the door was closed, and Lady Katherine was getting closer, and Claire forced herself not to be insulting to the woman and back up a step.

"Miss Gundry, you are my niece's governess, and it seems you need to be reminded of what your role entails." Her voice was all-knowing and condescending, sharp and hurtful. "Your employment requires you to attend Lady Florence. To tutor her, to guide her, to be there for her no matter what. You must tend to her. Your employment does not require you to talk with Lord Bannerdown, or dine with him, nor spend evenings at the playhouse as if you were courting." Her lip curled at the thought. "It is improper. You are not a woman of the Ton. Are you, Miss Gundry?"

The question was supposed to be patronizing, reminding Claire of her place, but it held an undertone to it. It held … knowledge. Or was that Claire's own guilt talking?

"If you are to spend all your time with Lord Bannerdown, it is no wonder that Lady Florence's progress is lacking. I do expect the Mozart recital by the week's end, Miss Gundry, so you may prove to me that you do value your position here. You shall not bring shame on my son, my house, nor the Bannerdown name."

Her head lifted so she could glare at Claire down the length of her nose. "After all, you are fortunate to be employed by me, are you not? It would be a shame if you were to be left destitute …" Her mouth pulled into a cruel smile. "Again." She feigned confusion. "Tell me, what would you do this time to begin a new life? Will you forever run because you do not know how to be in a role properly, Miss Gundry?"

Claire gasped. She knows.

"You …" She whispered. "You went through my belongings."

"I do not know what you mean," Lady Katherine sniffed. "And I shall not be the victim of accusation. Count your blessings, Governess, for you are on very thin ground. One step out of line, and you shall be out on the snow-covered streets in a moment, and the winter in Bath is not a kind one, Miss Gundry."

Claire bowed her head, nodding.

"However, I can be persuaded to forget about anything I may not have read."

Oh, she is a devious snake! Claire thought.

"As you said, Lady Katherine, you do not know what you have read, so why should there be any persuasion necessary?"

Her backchat was a mistake, and Claire bit her tongue too late as anger flooded Lady Katherine's features. Her mouth twisted, and her eyes turned hard and cruel as she walked closer.

"Listen to me, Miss Gundry," she hissed. "I am playing a very fortunate game for my son, and he does not seem to realize the good that I am doing for him. Seeing as you and Lord Bannerdown are ever so close, you shall assist me. In return, I shall assist you by keeping your secrets and not sending you out onto the streets. Heaven forbid, I should have already done that. But I shall not, for you can prove your use."

"I shall prove it with Lady Florence's tutoring." Claire nodded eagerly, feigning innocence about what exactly the bribe was.

"I am not talking about that foolhardy, insolent child," she snapped. "You are close to Lord Bannerdown. I have seen you together, and while it displeases me to see such wrongness, especially with a lady of your standing—" She paused, waiting for Claire to correct her that she had once been a lady of the ton, similar to Lady Katherine herself, but Claire remained stubborn in her resolution. "—I can make use of this connection. You will convince his lordship that Lady Samantha is an excellent match for him. You will convince him that he should honour his late friend and marry Lady Samantha."

Claire inhaled deeply, her chest aching as she considered the threat. Her heart pounded as her thoughts began to go into a tailspin of panic.

"Or I shall reveal your secrets to both Lord Bannerdown and the rest of the Ton, Lady Claire Garner."

A sinking feeling dropped in Claire's stomach, and she gasped. The room faded around her, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Lady Claire Garner. All she could see was the woman's cruel smile, knowing she had won.

Before Claire could answer, Lady Katherine flicked her hand at her. "You are dismissed."