She flushed, and her fingers toyed with the brooch on her bodice. “I am aware of that,” she said shortly.
“I am confident of your good judgement. But things happen… Should you be invited to go for a walk with any gentleman, other than myself, of course, I prefer you did not.”
He turned and continued along the corridor. The former governess’s behavior obviously still played on his mind. Did he think all women were so irresponsible? She bit her lip, he would be right to have that view, she supposed, having left her home to take up this position.
She frowned and hurried after him incensed at the injustice of the veiled criticism. “I am not in search of a husband, Your Grace,” she said, her anguish making her sound horribly stiff. “If that is what lies behind this conversation.”
He swung around, his eyes troubled. “Why ever not, Miss Harrismith?” he asked in a gentler tone.
She gasped. “Why? Because I value my trusted position here.”
His dark brows snapped together. “You are skilled at evasion, Miss Harrismith. Most women wish to marry, do they not?”
“I did, once…”
“What changed your mind?”
If only he didn’t sound so concerned. She feared he would make her cry.
“London Seasons and dowries are expensive.”
“I understand.”
And yet she feared he didn’t. “I cannot blame my father, there are four children still at home. Bella and Beth yet to see married.”
“However this fails to explain why you have chosen this life instead of marriage.”
Why was he so intent on discovering the reason? How much could she tell him? “I refused a gentleman’s generous offer and my father was so angered by it he told me to leave home.”
“You refused?” His quizzical blue eyes met hers. “Despite knowing you would be placed in service? And with the knowledge that the marriage might have aided your siblings? But why?”
The question she hoped he wouldn’t ask her. Jenny bit her lip, her heart galloping. “I’m afraid I shall not tell you the reason, Your Grace.”
He arched his eyebrows. “You won’t?”
“No.” Amazed at her effrontery she pivoted to hurry away before she burst into tears and almost tripped over her feet.
He took her arm to steady her, his fingers strong and warm through her sleeve. “Miss Harrismith! I’m sorry I’ve upset you. It is your safety that concerns me, and I confess a wish to understand what brought you here. Of course, I consider myself most fortunate that you did come, but…” He shook his head. “We will say no more about it. Allow me to escort you to the schoolroom.”
She trembled, and her deep gasps drew in the duke’s fresh smell of starched linens and soap. The touch of his fine wool sleeve beneath her hand rattled her further, and she was unable to think of anything to mend her rude outburst, struck by a fear that he was not done with her. That he would prod her with more questions.
But he said nothing more. Was it bemusement that rendered him silent? Surprising indeed that anyone as lowly as a governess would deliberately withhold information from him. But would he now let the matter rest?
At the door he released her arm and stepped away. “I’ve enjoyed our talk, Miss Harrismith.”
He had not of course. The fact that she’d been unhelpful to the point of rudeness, hovered for a moment in the air between them. But to tell him the truth and have him make inquiries, which she suspected he might, for he was a man who wished to right an injustice, could subject her family to unwanted scrutiny, and possibly retaliation.
Jenny suffered a spark of anger that a woman in her position must endure and remain silent or suffer the consequences.
“You’re very welcome, Your Grace.” She sank into a curtsey.
“I can’t remember anyone putting a curtsey to such good use, Miss Harrismith,” he said dryly.
He turned to George who’d sprung up from his chair and stood to attention beside the schoolroom door. “Inform the two gentlemen in the schoolroom that I am leaving. I shall go downstairs with them.”
The gentleman accepted their marching orders with good bonhomie. Relieved, Jenny watched them descend the stairs with the duke.
Inside, the schoolroom had become blessedly quiet.
