“A few months?” Christopher repeated, stunned. He did not know that governesses were in great demand until now that he required the services of one. “But that is far too long.”
“I am afraid that is the only option, if you want someone who is truly competent. I could arrange for a low-tier governess more quickly?—”
“No, I want only the best,” Christopher cut her off halfway. “I suppose I should best keep looking.”
With slumped shoulders, he ended the conversation and excused himself. His search for a governess was so far turning out terribly. All the ladies at the dinner had told him the same thing.
Dejected, he retreated to a corner of the room. He had thought that attending this dinner would be a breeze, and he would find someone through the connections of the ladies here. So far, it seemed, luck was just not on his side.
His gaze swept over the guests, looking for someone he had not yet spoken to about this. And then he spotted a familiar face. A slight furrow formed between his eyebrows as he tried to remember where he had seen her before.
Is that Frances? What on earth is she doing here? Has she followed me all the way here?
As he looked her way, she seemed to have caught his gaze as well. She looked different—transformed from the demure figure he remembered into a polished lady. It momentarily took his breath away.
He approached her with a hesitant step. “Frances?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
“Your Grace.” A blush bloomed in her cheeks.
“I did not expect to run into you this evening.” His gaze trailed down her dress, which was an improvement from the plain cotton one she had on when they last met.
“I could say the same for you, Your Grace. But I am here for my sister.” She pointed to where Esther was standing.
“Your sister?” Christopher furrowed his brow, and then realization dawned on him. “I was not aware that you and the Duchess were related. I am close friends with the Duke.”
“So I’ve learned.” Frances bit her lip, “How is your search going thus far? For the governess?”
“Oh, I should be able to find one any day now, I believe,” he lied.
He did not want to tell her just how futile his efforts had been so far.
She frowned. “I see. And how are the children doing?”
“They’re doing well. Listen—” His voice dropped to an urgent whisper. “Does your family… know? Of your connection to my brother and his wife?”
She shook her head. “Of course not. I would appreciate it if you did not tell them either.”
“Right.” He took a step back, his jaw tight. “Well, if anything, I must commend you for keeping such a big secret for so long.”
Frances shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever I did, I did for a dear friend. I do not regret it.”
Christopher was surprised by her boldness. She stood by her friend, even now that she was gone. Women from her class usually did not dare to associate themselves with commoners.
“And I wish to do more,” she continued, balling her fists at her sides. “I care about those children. I just wish that you could see it.”
I’m beginning to.
Christopher was about to tell her she should visit again when she left abruptly, seeming upset. He was left staring after her in confusion.
They did not interact for the remainder of the evening, but she remained on his mind. Now that he knew more about her, her earlier suggestion of marriage seemed even more puzzling.
A woman from a respectable family, willing to put her reputation on the line for the future of children whom she was only related to by a promise made to a friend. It revealed something about her character that left Christopher impressed the more that he thought about it.
His return to Huntington Manor was marked by unexpected chaos. As he stepped through the doors, he was met by a panicked Rosaria.
“Y-your Grace, you are here,” she nearly yelped at the sight of him.
“What has happened? You look positively distressed.” His brow furrowed, and his mind immediately went to the children.
