“My daughter is a good woman,” the Vicar continued. “And she knows her role.” He blew through his lips. “In truth, she is the last person you need to worry about.”
“And why is that?”
“She has an affinity for children,” he explained. “Cares for them as if they were her own.” He scoffed. “I would rather that she had her own, mind you. Make herself of use…” A shake of the head. “I have tried to convince her to find herself a man and marry, but will she listen to me?” He laughed bitterly. “She would rather waste her time looking after someone else’s children. No offence, of course, Your Grace.”
“Offence? For me, or for your daughter?” Alistair said coldly.
The Vicar balked. “I… I did not mean –”
“Oh, you certainly meant everything that you said,” he cut over the Vicar. “Heaven forbid that your daughter applies her time to helping starving children find meaning in this world. And shame on her for dedicating her time to the well-being of the less fortunate.”
“That is not…” The Vicar winced. “I only meant that –”
“Or should I just be grateful that your daughter wishes to waste her time looking after Hugh? I have seen her with him, you know. Watched them together. And while he might not be herown blood, she treats him as if he were. If that is not something to aspire to and be proud of, I don’t know what is.”
Alistair’s words struck the Vicar where he sat, and the pitiful man looked away with great shame.As he should do.
In truth, Alistair was a little surprised by his outburst. There was no need for it. But the Vicar’s disparagement had annoyed Alistair, and he felt a need to defend Miss Norleigh’s honor.
He had seen Yvette and Hugh together, and he knew how much the boy admired her. What was more, she was the reason that Alistair was able to smooth the terrain between himself and Hugh, laying the way for them to develop a relationship of their own.
She was more than a mere governess, and he was starting to realize it.
It did force Alistair to wonder why Yvette had no children of her own, especially if it was something that clearly upset her father. There was no doubt that they would have spoken about such things, and based off the vicar’s judgement, she had dismissed the notion entirely.
She would make such a good mother, I am sure. But that she isn’t one… there must be a reason. I wonder, in fact, if it has anything to do with her reaction last night?
It was food for thought, and yet another reason for Alistair’s imaginings to be plagued with visions of the young governess.
“I think it is time that I go,” Alistair said, sensing the shift in the mood of the room.
“Oh?” The Vicar tried to contain his relief. “Would you not like to stay for lunch?”
“I will be quite fine, thank you.”
The Vicar played the role of aggrieved host, again asking if Alistair would stay. As he did, he was sure to lead Alistair from his office and through the house, no doubt eager to see the back of him.
Even if he wanted to, Alistair knew it was not a good idea. Eating lunch with Miss Norleigh and her father… it felt entirely too familiar and would only confuse his thoughts further. Best to err on the side of caution.
At least that had been the plan.
It was as he was led through the house that Miss Norleigh stepped out of her bedroom, right in front of where Alistair was walking. Bright yellow sunlight shone from behind her, she lit up as if a halo surrounded her body, and Alistair’s reaction was typically mystified.
She is… beautiful.
Beautiful felt like the only word that suited. Dressed in a flowing pelisse of white, her dark hair worn down to her shoulders, her green eyes glistening like emeralds, and a smile that was full and luscious and glimmered with white teeth, it was all Alistair could do not to gawk.
“You’re leaving?” she asked.
“I…” He hesitated, his tongue swelling in his mouth, his chest tightening. “I should… I am needed at home.”
“He has business, Yvette,” the Vicar hurried. “Do not worry about it.”
Alistair continued to stare at her. He looked from her eyes to her full lips. He saw the pout, a hint of disappointment. He wanted to change his mind, to join them for lunch, but knew that he could not. That was entirely too dangerous.
“I will send the carriage back for you,” he somehow managed to stammer a response. “It shan’t be more than an hour.”
She nodded with understanding. “Thank you, that is too kind.”
