“You need one. All young girls need one,” Adeline said, firmly. “There are things about being a lady that a father cannot teach you.”
“But if I had a mother…” Louisa said as they reached the ground floor.
“Then she would teach you. But in her absence, a governess will do.”
They entered the breakfast room. Cordelia munched on toast and marmalade, but Winston was not present. Adeline took her seat at the table.
“Grandmama, isn’t it wonderful! Papa has agreed to take on Adeline as my governess!” Louisa exploded as soon as she entered the room.
“Oh, that is wonderful. I am very happy for you, Louisa. Adeline is a marvelous companion, and I’m sure she will be an excellent teacher. Did you and Winston work out his objections then?”
“We talked it over,” Adeline said with a smile. “I think I have proved myself to him.”
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. “My, that is fast work. Once my son decides on something, he is very difficult to shift. You have done well to change his mind in a matter of one day.”
The look on Cordelia’s face, the tone of her voice, was different to anything Adeline had seen before. There was a bird-like watchfulness in her expression. A pause as she held a teacup to her lips, eyes steady on Adeline through the steam.
“Perhaps he was already on the fence, and it did not take much to push him off?” Adeline said.
Louisa giggled. “I like the idea of Adeline pushing Papa off a fence. Papa would not.”
“I think my son could certainly benefit from a woman in his life who is able to nudge him in the right direction,” Cordelia said. “That is a task you can help me with: find a suitable wife for Winston, and a permanent governess for Louisa, of course.”
“Of course. I’d be glad to,” Adeline said, wondering why the first task felt so uncomfortable.
She wished that Cordelia’s gaze were not so appraising. She smiled, sipped tea, and nodded as though this was a purely academic topic. After all, she had been jilted at the altar and was not a candidate to be a bride to any man. As far as Cordelia was concerned, anyway. Louisa simply shrugged, toying with a piece of toast on her plate. Adeline exchanged looks with Cordelia.
“Your father must have an heir,” Cordelia said. “Do you not wish for a brother?”
“Perhaps,” Louisa said slowly.
“Or perhaps you would prefer if it continued to be your father and you?” Adeline suggested gently.
“And Grandmama. And you,” Louisa replied.
“Let us see how I get on as governess first. You may not like me at all when I have to be strict with you,” Adeline said with mock severity.
“We’ll see,” Louisa grinned.
Adeline was glad to steer the conversation away from the notion of herself as a potential fiancée to Winston. She felt the heat in her cheeks at the thought.
He is too cold. Too untrusting. Too handsome. Too magnetic.
She realized that she had been frozen in a moment of time, held there by thoughts of Winston.
The Duke. How can a man be considered a possible husband when I do not even have permission to use his first name! Patently ridiculous.
“What was that, Louisa?” Adeline said, her mind returning to the room.
“Saturday is the village fete at Greytonwic. Will you come with us?”
“I would be delighted.”
“Grandmama, do you think Papa will come with us this year?” Louisa asked.
“We can only ask,” Cordelia said, “but you know how he dislikes such social activities. And he is very busy managing his estates.”
“But we are giving him three days’ notice,” Louisa protested.
