Page 25 of Deviant Duchess
This is ridiculous and a waste of time! I could be using these days to iron out a new plan for Sylvester.
“I believe we have established that no one can make you do anything, Adeline,” Deborah replied, her tone stiff. “If you feel foolish, that is entirely of your own doing.”
The anger in Adeline’s gaze vanished with a suddenness that surprised Deborah, and she watched as the girl’s expression turned sad.
Deborah heaved out another sigh, trying to take one more approach.
“Your previous governesses and nannies- they called you names? Said things to hurt your feelings?” She asked, keeping her tone soft.
Adeline kept her eyes to the floor, but she nodded.
“They always told me that I needed to be kinder, but they were never kind to me,” the girl whimpered.
Deborah’s heart softened a little more as she took in the way Adeline’s stature continued to shrink. She dipped her head lower, bent her knees, and pressed her arms tight to her sides. Arms, Deborah saw, that were still bruised. Though they did look far better than they had when they first met, so she wagered whoever put them there had not attempted to do so again since.
“I know how awful it is to have a mean governess,” Deborah said, daring another step closer to the girl, “When I was younger, my mother put my sister's and my education into the hands of someone else. I suppose that is very common in our society. However, while my mother was kind, the governesses were not. I remember how enraged they used to become if we spelled a word improperly, or spoke incorrectly.”
Deborah shook out her hands, feeling the ghost of old corrections.
“One of them had a ruler that she liked to snap across our knuckles when we were young. She never broke the skin, but I still remember how harshly it stung.”
Adeline glanced up at Deborah.
“Rulers are awful,” she agreed. “I broke the last governess’s one over my knee and threw the pieces at her.”
Deborah let out a soft laugh as she dared another step.
“I wish I would have been so brave,” she said with a kind smile, and to her relief, Adeline dropped her drawn-up shoulders.
Deborah turned to the clock on Adeline’s mantle, and to her surprise, it was nearly three. They had been together since nine that morning, and it was clear that they were both tired and irritated.
“I can see that we are not going to get anywhere with lessons today,” Deborah sighed, “But perhaps we can speak of something else.”
Adeline’s eyes narrowed in distrust, but she did not reach for another book.
“What?” She asked warily.
Deborah looked down at Adeline’s bruises, then up to her face.
“Did your old governess give those to you?” Deborah asked, keeping her tone soft and non-accusing. “Did theyallhurt you like that in some manner or another?”
Adeline’s face turned red, but instead of answering, she clamped her lips shut and lowered her gaze toward the carpet. Deborah kneeled before her, but even then, Adeline would not look at her.
“I need you to know that I willneverhurt you like that, Adeline,” Deborah insisted gently, “I promise you. No matter what you do,no matter how many books you throw at me, I would never do that.”
Deborah drew in a breath as her eyes searched Adeline’s downcast face, looking for any sign that Adeline believed her. The little girl was a vault and gave her none.
“We will keep trying,” Deborah said when Adeline didn’t respond after a long moment. “I know you are smart. I want to see how smart you are. I am married to your uncle now, and unlike those horrible women who tried to teach you before, I am not just going to run away from you. You and I, we will find a way to talk and work with each other.”
Adeline drew her bottom lip between her teeth and began to nibble at it, but again, she did not respond. Still, no objects were thrown, and the look of rage had not reappeared. Deborah decided to take both as small victories.
“I think we have both tried hard enough today,” she sighed, rising to her feet. “I would love it if you chose to have supper with me this evening. I shall be at the dining table at six sharp.”
Again, Adeline made no move nor said any word to indicate that she heard her. All the same, Deborah gently placed her hands on the little girl’s cheeks, bent down, and kissed the top of her head. Adeline looked up at her at once, appearing shocked at what Deborah had just done.
“Very well then,” Deborah said softly, petting back a few loose strands of the girl’s dark hair.
“I hope the rest of your day is far more pleasant.”
