Momentarily mollified by the abrupt turn of events and having gained the upper hand, he kept talking.
“If you must know, I was admiring your table manners.”
“I hope they meet expectation?”
“They do, I believe my daughter is in capable and well-cultured hands.”
He had not meant for his voice to drop to a low octave that suggested flirtation. And for all her innocence, it was not lost on her, as her blush now burned claret red. He knew he was toying with her. She also knew it. There was a steely glint in her eye that belied her flushed face.
“Lady Clara has much potential in many areas if she applies herself.” Her voice was calm as she tried to gain control of the conversation.
“Your daughter is very clever and has much imagination and energy, and my aim is to channel this potential into her lessons.”
“Very good, Miss Lewisham, very good. I take it she has yet to scare you away then.”
“I do not scare very easily, Your Grace.”
She boldly met his gaze as she spoke, sending a veiled warning as he entwined his fingers under his chin and placed his elbows on the table.
“No, I can see you do not. I wonder why that is? Why you are so bold?”
She faltered under his intense gaze, unable to hold the eye contact any longer.
“As I informed you, I have younger twin brothers. They oft tried my patience with foolish pranks and wilful ignorance. But I am grateful for such, as they bolstered my fortitude.”
“And you lived with your brothers and family in the town of Cheltenshire. What does your father do?”
“He and my uncle are linen drapers and share duties between their shops in Cheltenshire and London. My mother is also a skilled seamstress, whose tutelage I have benefited from.”
As he had expected, a middle-class upbringing, but why a governess? She could have made a fine match with a young man in her class. Realising he could just ask her, making himself the bold one, he did. Her face flushed again as surprise opened her eyes wide.
“Why did you choose the solitary life of a governess and not a marriage and family of your own?”
She clearly found this line of questioning inappropriate, and the room was silent as he awaited her answer. Or perhaps she would not answer, as the silence grew.
“I love to learn, and I love to impart what I learn. When you become a wife, those opportunities diminish as your time is spent caring for others and a home. I had the benefit of choosing my path, and this is the one I chose.”
Her words were so heartfelt that it gave him a pang of guilt for being so forthright this evening. All he had cared for was abating his own curiosity.
“I apologise, Miss Lewisham, if I have overstepped in any line of questioning tonight. I just found myself very curious.”
To his surprise, she chuckled, bringing her dainty hand up to her mouth to mute the lilting sound.
“You find my apology amusing?” He raised his eyebrows in enquiry laced with amusement.
“No, no, Your Grace. It was your use of the word curiosity. I read to Lady Clara today the myth of Pandora’s box, which, as you would know, is a tale that explores the follies of curiosity. Lady Clara, in her own words, found Pandora hasty and selfish.”
“That does explain your mirth but now leads me to question whether your meaning is that I am hasty and selfish?” Her impertinence had escaped again, and this time, instead of feeling infuriated at her lack of respect for their class differences, he found himself aroused by her nerve.
“That was not my intent, I misspoke,” she said hastily, realising her faux pas. He was about to respond, to continue their sparring of words, when she stood abruptly.
“It is getting late Your Grace, if you will please excuse me, I shall retire for the evening.”
Disappointed that she was ending their exchanges of wits, he simply nodded.
Maybe I should have gone to London.
Chapter Nine
