Page 11 of When She Was a Governess
“Her family fell into disgrace when their father was falsely accused of murder. She had no choice but to find employment.” Henry turned from the window. “Her brother has nowsummoned her to London for a Season. She’s leaving within the fortnight.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned in Davies’s eyes. “Miss Amelia will be heartbroken.”
“Yes.” Henry shrugged out of his waistcoat. “As will Miss Ashford herself. She loves that child as if she were her own.”
Davies began folding the discarded clothing with meticulous care. “The staff have observed as much, my lord. She’s devoted to Miss Amelia. We’ve all remarked upon it.”
Henry loosened his cravat, pulling the linen free from his collar. “My cousin Charlotte has suggested a rather unconventional solution to the problem.”
“My lord?”
“She thinks I should marry Miss Ashford.”
The waistcoat slipped from Davies’s hands. He caught it before it hit the floor, but his composure was clearly rattled. His lips twitched as though fighting a smile, though whether from amusement or shock, Henry couldn’t tell. “Marry her, my lord?”
“Precisely my reaction.” Henry pulled off the cravat and handed it to Davies. “It’s absurd, isn’t it?”
Davies appeared to recover his wits, carefully draping the cravat over his arm. His expression had shifted to something more thoughtful, though that hint of mischief still lurked in his eyes. “It would certainly be unexpected, my lord.”
“That’s a diplomatic way of putting it.”
“But not entirely without merit.” Davies moved to the wardrobe to retrieve Henry’s nightshirt. “If I may be so bold.”
“You may.”
Davies returned with the nightshirt, his expression thoughtful. “You need a wife, my lord. That’s no secret. And Miss Amelia needs a mother. Miss Ashford is already performing that role and doing it admirably. From a practical standpoint, the match makes a certain sense.”
“A practical standpoint.” Henry pulled his shirt over his head. “That’s one way to view it, I suppose.”
“The staff would approve, my lord. If that matters to you.”
Henry paused in the act of donning his nightshirt. “Would they? Even though she was the governess?”
“She’s a duke’s sister, my lord. And more importantly, she’s kind. Fair. The sort of mistress any household would be fortunate to have.” Davies picked up the discarded shirt. “Mrs. Bromley speaks very highly of her. As does Mrs. Mills. Even Grimshaw, and he’s not easily impressed.”
“But would they accept her? Truly? After two years of her living in the nursery as a servant?”
“They’d accept whoever you chose, my lord. But they’dwelcomeMiss Ashford. There’s a difference.” Davies met his eyes directly, and for a moment the usual playfulness was gone, replaced by genuine sincerity.
Henry sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly exhausted. “It seems everyone thinks this is a brilliant idea except me.”
“Do you object to Miss Ashford herself, my lord? Or to the idea of marriage in general?”
The question was more perceptive than Henry expected. “I don’t know. Both, perhaps. Neither. I haven’t sorted it out yet.”
Davies moved about the room, tidying up for the evening. “If I may observe, my lord, you’ve been alone a long time. Perhaps too long.”
“Are you suggesting I’m lonely, Davies?”
“I’m suggesting that a house needs a mistress, my lord. Miss Amelia needs a mother. And you…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “You deserve a companion. Someone to share the burden of the estate, the responsibility of raising Miss Amelia. Someone to talk to over breakfast who isn’t your valet. And, if I may say, she’s exquisite. That has been remarked upon often, mostly by the men under your employ.”
Despite himself, Henry smiled, tugging on his ear. “You make a compelling argument. Yet, would she really able to run a household?”
“I often do.” That familiar hint of amusement crept back into Davies’s expression as he collected the pile of folded clothing. “Will you be proposing to Miss Ashford, then?”
“I haven’t decided. I’m going to sleep on it.”
“Very good, my lord.” Davies moved toward the door, then paused, his brown eyes gleaming. “Mrs. Bromley would assist in acclimating her to such a prestigious position, so I do not see that as a problem.”
