Chapter 3

Chapter 3

For a while, Catherine stood rooted to the spot. Nothing about this house made sense and she suddenly longed for the warmth and comfort of the Ashdown home. The manor’s eerie silence pressed in around her, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. She shook her head with a sigh, trying to dispel the apprehension that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Pull yourself together, Catherine,” she muttered as she turned away from the door. “It’s just another household. You’ve done this before.”

Even as she said the words, however, she knew they were not quite true. There was something different about Wessex Manor. Something that set her nerves on edge in a way she could not quite explain.

With a frustrated groan, she turned to the window and drew back the heavy curtains. Even the sun seemed to hide from the manor, she thought with a grimace as she glanced at the gray skies. A sudden movement caught her eye, and she frowned, leaning forward.

A dark figure on horseback emerged from the nearby woods, riding swiftly toward the estate. Catherine leaned forward, squinting to make out more details through the morning mist.

There was not much she could see, though it was evident that the rider approached at a gallop, his black cloak billowing behind him. As he neared the manor, he suddenly looked up.

Though she was certain he was too far away to see her, Catherine whirled around, her heart pounding. She pressed a hand to her heart and shook her head. There was something about him, even from a distance, that set her entire body ablaze and she let out a shuddering breath.

His shoulders were broad and even from her spot at the window she could see strength exuding from him. For a mad second, Catherine wondered what it would feel like for those arms to envelop her, hold her…

“This place is driving you mad already, Catherine,” she mumbled to herself, jumping when there was a sharp knock at the door once again.

“Yes?” she called out, her voice trembling. The door swung open, and Mr. Harper entered, his expression impassive, as always. “It is time for breakfast, Miss Winslow. If you’ll follow me.”

Once again, he did not wait for her to agree, and Catherine rushed to fall into step behind him. As they made their way through the corridors, Catherine wondered if she ought to ask Mr. Harper about the mysterious rider. Something in his demeanor, however, made her hold her tongue.

“Here we are,” Mr. Harper announced as they arrived at the small dining room. A single place setting awaited her at the long wooden table and Catherine glanced at Mr. Harper uncomfortably.

“Please sit,” he said and gestured to the chair. “I will return shortly with your meal.”

The chair scraped on the floor with a high-pitched squeak when Catherine moved it out, and she sat slowly. Before she could think too much about the mystery of the man on horseback, Mr. Harper returned with a tray bearing tea, toast and eggs.

“Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Winslow,” he said as he put the tray in front of her, disappearing again quickly. Catherine sighed as she took her first bite. Though the meal was simple, there was no denying that it was well-prepared. Still, she found it quite odd to eat alone.

Her meal was barely finished when Mr. Harper appeared in the dining room once more. “His lordship will meet you now,” he said, and Catherine jumped to her feet, her eyes wide.

“Now? I mean…” she glanced down at her yellow dress. She’d chosen the light color specifically because it was the antithesis of the dark manor.

“Now,” Mr. Harper said simply. “Follow me please.”

This time, he waited for her, and Catherine licked over her lips nervously when they halted in front of an imposing oak door. He rapped sharply on the wood, then stood back.

“Enter,” a deep voice called out, the sound reverberating through the silence of the house.

Catherine’s heart raced when Mr. Harper opened the door and ushered her inside. Like the rest of the manor, the study was dimly lit, though it had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and an enormous desk dominating the space. Behind the desk sat a broad-shouldered man with wavy dark hair. When he looked up, the intense blue gaze left no doubt: it was the rider she’d seen earlier.

Up close, the Earl of Wessex was even more striking than he’d been from a distance. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a chiseled jawline and intense eyes that seemed to look right through her.

Without fully being aware of it, her eyes traversed to his lips—full lips with a hint of a cupid’s bow. Catherine blinked. What would it be like to touch those lips? Her face flushed and she averted her eyes back to his own, and found he was still staring at her, a single brow lifted.

Uncomfortable with his direct gaze, Catherine averted her eyes again, only now noticing the young woman next to him. Like the earl, she had wavy dark hair and deep blue eyes, though her gaze danced with poorly concealed mirth.

It had to be Emily, Catherine realized.

“Miss Winslow,” the earl spoke now, his voice gravelly. “I am Edward Montague, Earl of Wessex. This,” he gestured to the girl beside him, “is my sister Emily.”

Catherine dropped into a deep curtsy. “My Lord. My Lady. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

Though the Earl’s expression remained unchanged, Emily grinned brightly and bounced on her toes. “Oh, I am so glad you are finally here,” she let out, her voice filled with elation. “I have been pestering Edward about getting a governess for ages!”

“Emily,” Edward said warningly, though there was a hint of fondness beneath his stern tone.

Despite herself, Catherine smiled at the girl’s enthusiasm. “I am looking forward to working with you, Lady Emily,” she said kindly.

“Tell me,” Edward said now, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Catherine. “What exactly qualifies you to teach my sister, Miss Winslow?”

Catherine lifted her chin and straightened her spine, meeting his gaze steadily despite her nerves. “I was educated by my father, a bookseller, from a young age,” she said softly. “He ensured that I was well-versed in literature, history, mathematics and the sciences. After he passed, I became a governess for the Ashdown family.”

“Remind me,” Edward said, his tone holding no humor. “Why did you leave their employ?”

Catherine looked at him through narrowed eyes. Did he not know? Was it Mr. Harper who arranged her employment and not his boss? “The Ashdown daughters have reached an age where they no longer require a governess,” Catherine explained slowly. “Lady Ashdown was kind enough to recommend me for this position.”

“I see,” Edward said, nodding slowly. “And what are your expectations for this role, Miss Winslow?”

Catherine frowned, considering her words slowly. “My… primary goal is to provide Lady Emily with a well-rounded education that will prepare her for her future,” she said slowly. “Beyond that, I hope to foster a love of learning and curiosity about the world.”

Emily beamed at this, her grin spreading. Edward, however, remained impassive. “Noble goals,” he said, “But I must make something clear, Miss Winslow. You are not to question any of my requests or decisions regarding Emily’s education or any other matters in this household. Is that understood?”

Catherine blinked, fighting to tamp down the flicker of indignation rising up in her. “Of course, My Lord,” she said at last, her tone miraculously even. “I wouldn’t dream of overstepping my position.”

“Hmm,” Edward said simply, a hint of a smile flickering upon his face for only a split second. “You mentioned your father, and that he passed,” he said now. “What of the rest of your family?”

Catherine swallowed hard, lifting her chin. “I am afraid I have no other family, My Lord. I was an only child, and my mother passed when I was an infant. My father… was all I had.”

For a moment, Edward’s stern facade cracked again. revealing a flash of sympathy. Like the shadow of a smile earlier, it was gone as soon as it appeared. “I see,” he said. “So you have no one and nothing, beyond your stellar reputation and apparent skills?”

“Edward!” Emily gasped now, her eyes wide. “That is a dreadful thing to say!”

Catherine, however, held her ground, facing the intimidating man head-on. “You are quite right, My Lord,” she said. “I have gotten to where I am on the strength of my abilities and dedication alone. My work means everything to me, and I assure you, I will do nothing to jeopardize this opportunity.”

A tense silence followed her words. Despite her pounding heart, she refused to look away from his piercing gaze.

Finally, Edward nodded. “Very well, Miss Winslow. You may begin Emily’s lessons this afternoon. Mr. Harper will show you to the schoolroom and see to it that you are provided with any materials you may need. You may leave.”

“Thank you, My Lord,” Catherine said, dipping into another curtsy.

“I can’t wait to start our lessons, Miss Winslow,” Emily called out as she left, and Catherine smiled. If nothing else, at least Emily was bound to light up the darkness of Wessex Manor.