But to do any of those things might send her fleeing.
“Yes,” he finally answered, and watched as she glided from the parlor.
However, all was not lost. He would enjoy her company each evening following dinner.
Unfortunately, the plans he had for those evenings never turned out as he’d hoped.
It wasn’t her fault, it was his.
Each day he imagined the conversations he’d have with her. They could discuss the Season, music, theatre, even gossip if they must. Every night he knew which subject he intended to broach, but when the time came, he failed.
Preston didn’t know how to talk to Miss Claywell on any subject not related to his charges no matter how much he tried.
Why was it so bloody difficult?
Perhaps it was because Miss Claywell was not welcoming, nor did she seem open to conversations relating to anything other than her purpose for being in the household. After she’d reported on his nieces, she sipped her tea and then asked, “Will that be all?”
As a governess, she certainly wouldn’t step beyond the line that divided them—he the lord of the household and she the governess—so it was up to him.
Unfortunately, in her presence, Preston was robbed of words, or they were a jumbled mess in his mind, and he feared uttering any foolishness. However, that didn’t stop him from listening intently while he also admired her silky hair, the humor that sparkled in her emerald eyes, the delightful quirk of her lips, the fullness of her bodice, and the delicacy of her hands as she poured tea while enveloped in the scent of honeysuckle. His body filled with need.
She was delightful, charming, beautiful, and desirable but he could say none of those things to her because she was also a governess, and he was a bloody fool.
Preston tossed back a glass of brandy then laughed dryly. He had thought that by having her in his home it would be far easier to court her than it had been in London.
He’d been wrong.
Althea truly enjoyed being a governess. It was something that had never crossed her mind previously, though there was no cause for it to do so.
She also enjoyed being in this household. Other than the one evening that Lord Melcombe had been in a poor humor, he’d been quite pleasant to be around. Althea had learned that the girls were not to miss luncheon or supper, which was not a hardship, especially since she was included. Melcombe was quiet, which was not unusual, but he was attentive and listened to the girls’ chatter. Even if he did wish to offer something to the conversation, it was difficult to do so because they were so busy telling him of their day, or what they may have learned. Often Melcombe would glance at Althea, humor in his blue eyes and for those few moments, it was as if they were in silent agreement of enjoying having the five at the table.
The same had happened often when he’d called on her in London. He hadn’t spoken then either but remained on the fringes. Yet their eyes met often, a silent communication. Even though she didn’t know what he was conveying, it didn’t matter. He was there and she’d been glad he was.
She cherished those moments though it gave the illusion that the two were closer than they actually were.
Althea also learned that he often finished eating before his charges, which wasn’t a surprise since they’d been too busy talking to eat. When he finished, Lord Melcombe would lean back and stretch out his legs beneath the table, his knee first touching hers, then his foot beside hers, which seemed to linger longer than was proper, especially if it was accidental. Each touch made her all the more aware of her desire for him. A physical reaction that she’d experienced since that first waltz. After the first instance of brushing knees under the table, she should have anticipated his actions and moved, except, she intentionally did not, longing for those briefest of touches.
He must think her wicked. Yet, he never apologized either. It was almost as if he did so on purpose, which she was certain he had not.
There was, however, no doubt that Melcombe adored each of his nieces and they in turn, adored him. He also started to take time with them during the day.
She’d been surprised the first time he’d appeared in the schoolroom, and thought perhaps he wished to observe, though she couldn’t remember her uncle or aunt interrupting her education. That hadn’t been the case. Melcombe decided to take them riding. Althea believed that it was his way of proving that he did not consider them a burden and that he enjoyed having them in the home.
They would be gone for nearly two hours, then he’d return them so that she could continue with the lessons.
Melcombe always asked her to join them, but Althea declined because she was certain he did so out of politeness. However, that didn’t stop her from being hopeful that when he asked her to join him for tea each night, he might speak on topics other than his nieces.
She went so far as to intentionally delay finishing her tea after she’d reported on the progress of the day, hoping he’d broach another topic, but uncomfortable silence always hung in the air until she finally asked if there would be anything else. And each evening she left the parlor disappointed.
There were many things that she’d like to discuss with him, that were not centered around the girls, but unlike when they had strolled in Hyde Park, when she’d hoped that he’d court her, Althea now needed to be mindful as she was now his employee and thus lacked freedoms that she’d enjoyed in Society.
With a sigh, Althea continued to stroll through Willanton. This was her free day, and other than a few items that she needed to purchase for herself, there was little for her to do.
Instead, she wandered, learning the village, though her thoughts were on her employer.
What was it about Melcombe that made her wish for more? If she’d thought her infatuation would dissipate over time, she’d been incorrect, for it had only grown, along with desire. It would be so easy to let herself fall in love with him, just as she had begun to do last spring. Yet, there was no reason for her feelings to grow.
Perhaps it was because she was able to fully observe the type of gentleman he was, especially with his nieces. He didn’t charm but was structured. The opposite of those who had called on her in London. And even though he gave no indication that he would ever consider her anything beyond a governess, Althea continued to admire him and hope for more.
