Page 16 of Brazen Rogue
He chuckled, clapping the marquess on the back. "Come, we shall have drinks in my study. The remainder of the guests are resting in their rooms until dinner."
"That sounds most needed," Chilsten said, taking his wife's hand and pulling her with him.
They made their way into the library, his guests seating themselves before the fire on the settee, both of them sighing in relief. No doubt more than pleased they were no longer in a jarring carriage.
Bellamy rang for tea and joined them. "Thank you for coming. I know it's an awfully long journey for a house party, but I need your help."
The marchioness leaned forward, meeting his eyes. "How long has Reign been working here? I should imagine it is vastly odd, considering before your marriage to Lady Sally, there was talk in town of your considerable interest in Miss Hall. That she is now your daughter's governess must be a little disconcerting," the marchioness stated.
That was an understatement. He was not only disconcerted by her being here but also downright floundering with his morals. "She is determined to leave England, as you may already know, but I do not like the idea. She is not a woman of the world. I fear for her safety while on the ship and abroad. Am I wrong in this concern?" Bellamy asked.
The marquess glanced at his wife before turning to him. "Depends if you're concerned because you still feel something for Miss Hall or if it is merely because, as you say, she is a woman."
The marchioness scoffed, "I think it is because you had always wanted to marry her and were denied that right when the scandal of you and Lady Sally broke in London. Tell me," she pinned him with an unflinching stare, "why can you not merely ask Reign to marry you? What is stopping you?"
He sighed, shaking his head and wishing his life could be different. "You know the late Marchioness of Lupton-Gage lived a scandalous life. She did not care for the daughter we made, nor what her actions abroad with her lover caused back in England. The more scandal, the better, from what I have been told. But I cannot allow such tarnish to continue against my name. My daughter deserves better. If I then go and marry her governess, how does that look? It makes me appear like a nefarious landlord who beds his servants, and I cannot do that to Alice. My concern is, even if she does return to London with you, how many people know she's been in employment here? I think the scandal would be too great, and I must relent and let her go."
The marchioness shook her head, watching him, and he did not particularly like how she studied him. "We can fix this, my lord. Be patient. I'm here now, and I shall not fail my friend. I shall convince her to come to London with me," she declared.
Bellamy nodded, but something deep within him knew it was likely already too late.
ChapterNine
Reign remained in her room as instructed and watched the outdoor games that were being played the following morning. She could not recognize any of the guests, which she supposed was a good thing, and she had traveled downstairs early this morning to complete Lady Alice's lessons before the guests were out of bed.
Mrs. Watkins seemed pleased by her absence from the main part of the house and had even bestowed a kind word to her at lunch.
A knock sounded on her door, and she strode over to it, opening it to find her closest friend staring back at her.
"Julia?" she gasped as they moved and pulled each other into an embrace. "What are you doing here? You are a long way from home this far north," she said.
Julia chuckled, pulling back, a warm, wistful smile on her face. "I'm here for the house party, and Lord Lupton-Gage informed me you're a governess here. How did that occur? I never thought when you suggested that you would work for a living that you would find employment at the very gentleman's home whom you once coveted."
Reign glanced down the hall, glad to see no one was about and pulled Julia into her room. "Come inside and sit. The housekeeper here abhors me, and if she sees me conversing with a houseguest, she'll have my hide scolded."
Alarmed, Julia followed her into the room. The shock on her friend's features when she glanced about her bedroom, at the plainness of the bed and furniture, the small fire one had to sit upon to keep warm, shamed her.
"It is not much," Reign said, feeling as though she needed to defend her pitiful space. "But it is all I need for the moment. You know my plans, and I do not have long before I can leave and let his lordship be free of me."
"He wrote me," Julia disclosed. "Invited us to the house party with the hopes that I would attend and talk you into traveling back with me to London. You know that I'm wealthy enough to keep you until you marry. There is no reason why you need to stay here." Julia clasped her hand. "You're my oldest friend. Let me do this for you, Reign."
Reign sighed, coming to sit beside her oldest and most loyal friend on her bed. The only place to sit, unfortunately. "Thank you for the offer, but it is still no. Not only because that is too generous, but because there is a little girl who needs stability. I'm a governess now, and I need to ensure that I teach her and care for her for as long as I have until a new governess can be found to replace me. I will not abandon her. Not after her mother has done exactly that."
"You care for the child," Julia stated. It was not a question. "And what about her father? How did you not know if it was his lordship's estate when you wrote regarding the position?"
Reign disclosed what she knew of the position before traveling to Derbyshire and her shock when she was introduced to Lord Lupton-Gage in the corridor downstairs.
"Well, do not say that I did not try to change your mind, and it's admirable that you wish to remain here to teach before leaving. But America, Reign? Are you not scared? Can you not stay in England?"
She shrugged, knowing there was no other option for her. Not unless she miraculously inherited thousands of pounds. This was her lot in life. She would not be a burden to anyone, and certainly not her friend, who had a family to care for and a husband to keep.
"I will be fine and shall write as I promised. But his lordship has made it clear that I'm beneath his notice, and this is for the best."
"He has said such a thing to you?" Julia demanded.
"Yes," she said, wishing he had not. His words had stung the last vestiges of pride she held of her old life as his equal. "I'm a governess, one step up from a servant. I can see his point as much as it pains me. I can only hope the others attending the house party do not know who I am."
Julia narrowed her eyes in thought, looking out toward her small window. "I do not believe anyone is here from London, but that does not mean they do not have relatives or were, in fact, in Town when we had our debuts. You must prepare yourself to be noticed and think upon what you will say when that occurs." Julia paused, taking her hand and squeezing. "But please think upon my offer. As my oldest friend, please do that, at least. I beseech you."
