Ruined (To Love a Governess Regency Short Story) (3 page)

It had been almost a year since they last danced
—
since he’d held her and kissed her. What would have happened between her and
Winters
had her father not betrothed her to Vickery?
 
Would they have become engaged? Would he have left her after her father disappeared?
 
She liked to think he wouldn’t, but one never knew.
 

 
“What do you know of
Winters
?”
 
Mrs. Downing studied her.

Only that my heart hitches when he speaks and my skin tingled whenever we danced
.
 
“He is an honorable and respectable gentleman.”
One I wish I could have spent more time with. The one I wished I could have married.
 
“I hadn’t realized he was married.”
 
And even if he had married the moment she left town, his child would be an infant. “Did he marry a widow with children?” Audrey ignored the pain of her heart at the thought of him married to another lady.

Mrs. Downing settled onto the lavender settee and indicated for Audrey to join her.
 
“He is assisting his cousin, Lord Fairfield. When Lord Fairfield’s brother and sister-in-law were killed last year he inherited the title and his five nieces.”

Relief swept through Audrey with the knowledge she would not have to live in
Winters
’ household and witness him and his wife or any affection they may share, even if it was simple glances.

“Nor has he married,” Mrs. Downing added.

Her pulse increased. He was still a bachelor. Her stomach turned a moment later knowing that she would never be worthy of him.
 
A man such as
Winters
did not take an interest in ruined young ladies such as herself.

“Do you think you are up to the task of five girls?”

If anything, she would be too busy to think about Lord Winters. “Yes. I look forward to the challenge.”

Chapter 3

Alec dropped onto the seat of his carriage and hit the roof with his cane.
 
He lurched forward as they drove away from Fairfield’s estate, vacant of his cousin, his wife and their nieces.

Why did Fairfield pick this week, of all weeks, to take his family to visit to their grandparents?

He couldn’t very well set Miss Rutledge up at his cousin’s house because Fairfield didn’t know about her yet. But his was a bachelor household with the housekeeper being the closest thing to a chaperone.
 

What was he to tell her?
 
Would Miss Rutledge stay with him and risk ruining her reputation further?
 

He could ask, but if Miss Rutledge insisted, he would see that she returned to Edinburgh until Fairfield returns. He dearly hoped she wished to remain with him, though. This was one opportunity he did not want to miss.
 
His desire for her had not died, regardless of the impossibility and now he had been given a second chance. Alec wasn’t about to squander it. His heart was still engaged, but he needed to determine if they still suited after all this time and everything Miss Rutledge had endured.

Maybe he wouldn’t tell her right away that her potential employer happened to be out of town for a few days. Besides, by the time she arrived it
would be
too late to turn around and return; nor would she wish to after traveling for two days. In fact, it would be a complete waste given that once she arrived in
Edinburg,
she would only need to make the trip back a day later.
 

It was best that she stay with him and he would preserve her reputation the best he knew how.
 
It wasn’t like anyone would know.
 
Briar Crest Abbey was further away from a town than any other estate and there wasn’t a neighbor within walking distance.
 

He glanced out the window to the passing scenery.
 
Between Fairfield’s and his estate was the town of Willanton.
 
There was also an inn. Perhaps he should see about a room for Miss Rutledge. At least then her reputation wouldn’t be at risk.
 

But what of danger?
 
He didn’t know the type of men who stayed at the inn. Would he be putting her in physical danger by trying to protect her reputation?

He couldn’t risk it.
 
She would just have to stay at Briar Crest Abbey and hope nobody learned of it. Though Fairfield would, of course, but Alec trusted his cousin not to hold this mild indiscretion against her.

Indiscretion?
 
There was no indiscretion.
 

Alec thrust his fingers through his hair.
 
He should not and would not think of Miss Rutledge and indiscretions in the same sentence. She was a lady despite her circumstances and he would treat her as such.
 

Resolved, he knocked on the roof when the carriage entered the main street through town. He would wait here until her coach arrived then escort her to Briar Crest Abbey.

Alec stepped out into the sunshine and looked around. As usual the residents strolled from one shop to another.
 
The lending library would soon be open and would be a great asset to the community. But that wasn’t his destination.
 
The Tea Room next to the library would offer sustenance and a warm place to wait.
 
Though the sun may be shining, there was still a brisk wind and he had no desire to remain outside any longer than necessary.

* * *

It was all Audrey could do not to push everyone out of the way so she could finally get out of the public coach.
 
Her plan had been perfect. By getting on first in Edinburgh she was able to get a seat next to the window, farthest from the door.
 
It was better than being stuck between strangers. Unfortunately it left her trapped inside the sweltering conveyance with five other passengers putting off body heat and stench throughout the last two days.
 

At each stop she waited to board, hoping to find a seat closer to the door, but each time she entered, the kind people had held her place for her.
 
If she never sat in a coach again she would be happy.
 

The five ahead of her did not seem to
be
 
in
as much of a hurry as she was. Then again, they were continuing onto another destination. She was the only one remaining in Willanton.
 

The man who had sat next to her waited and offered a hand when she stepped out of the coach. Thank goodness she would not need to touch him ever again. The coach was crowded but he was far too familiar with the way he shifted into her more times than she could count, especially under the cover of darkness when his hand had more than once skimmed up her arm.
 
He made her uncomfortable and she could not wait to be away from him.

Audrey hid her irritation and dislike behind a polite smile and accepted his hand, pulling away the moment her feet were safely on the walk. She made her way to the back of the coach, but the driver wasn’t there.

She marched to the front to find him standing by the horses. “Where is my trunk?”

“You didn’t have a trunk.”

“Yes, I did.
 
Willis, the footman, had it with him in the carriage and he was to deliver it to you for loading.”

“I remember the young man, but he didn’t give me
no
trunk.”

Audrey stomped back to the coach and looked at the luggage behind and on top.
 
Her trunk was not there.
 
All this way and no trunk, no personal effects, nothing but the clothing on her back and the few items thrown into the satchel she carried with her.
 
Why hadn’t she insisted on getting her trunk the one time they stopped at an inn? Then she would have known her belongings were not with her.
 
The driver had refused to unload and load at each stop, forcing the passengers to make do with what they had.
 

What was she to do?

The other passengers wandered into a tea shop down the road. Audrey did not follow.
 
Instead she found a bench along the walk, settled onto it and opened her reticule.
 
She had very few funds and certainly not enough for a change of clothing.
 
She glanced down at her dress and thought to pull her pelisse closed before someone noticed her appearance. The hem of her gown was muddy and there was a stain from the chocolate one of the passengers had spilled into her lap.
 
She could not present herself for an interview dressed like this.

Tears pricked the back of her eyes.
 
She squeezed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth.
 
She had suffered worse than this and would manage somehow.
 

Across the street was a modiste. It wouldn’t hurt to find out the cost of a dress.

Audrey stood, clutched her reticule and lifted her satchel before she marched across the street. Maybe the proprietress would take pity on her?

No. Audrey squelched the thought. She would not take charity, ever.
 
She would get through this one way or the other.

A bell tinkled above the door when she entered and one of the most beautiful women she had ever
lain
eyes upon came from the back room.
 
She had black hair and the clearest blue eyes Audrey had ever seen.
 
And her smile was warm and welcoming.

“Good afternoon.” Her smile broadened. “I am Monique. May I help you?”

Audrey quickly explained her need before getting down to business.
“How much for a dress?”

The bell tinkled again and Audrey turned.
 
Another
 
lady
entered. She also had dark hair but in contrast to Monique’s blue eyes, this
lady’s
were dark brown.
 

“Good afternoon, Lady Timothy,” Monique greeted.

“Miss Rutledge, I would like to introduce you to Lady Timothy. She and her husband will be opening the lending library down the street.”

Audrey greeted the lady with a smile, unsure what to say.
 
She wanted to hide behind the screen, or in a closet.
 
Both ladies were not only beautiful, but elegant from their artfully arranged hair to their clean, crisp, fashionable clothing.
 
Audrey caught sight of
herself
in the mirror and groaned. Any semblance of a hairstyle was gone.
 
Half of her hair was falling down and the other flattened to the side of her head from falling asleep against the side of the coach.
 
They should have
insisted
 
that
the driver stop last night instead of continuing on.
 
Not only was her clothing stained, but wrinkled as well.
 
Bed clothes didn’t even look this bad after someone tossed in them all night.

 
“Are you continuing on or staying with us in Willanton?”

It took Audrey a moment to realize Lady Timothy had asked the question. Both ladies were watching her expectantly. What had they been saying while she was ruminating over her appearance?

“I had hoped to be hired as a governess by Lord Fairfield. But I cannot present myself looking like this.”
 
She opened her arms and gestured to her dress.

Lady Timothy raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down.
 
“I don’t wish to be rude, but I must agree.”