A Governess of Great Talents (The Governess Bureau Book 1) by Emily E K Murdoch

Author:Emily E K Murdoch [Murdoch, Emily E K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

September 13, 1812

When Meredith opened her eyes from the comfort of her bedchamber in the eaves of the abbey, there was a smile on her face.

How could there not be? She had barely managed to fall asleep before dawn after the ball. The moment she had drifted into slumber, her dreams filled with the most wonderful scenes.

Alfred. Alfred, riding alongside her, laughter on his lips and joy in his eyes. Alfred, no longer a member of Parliament for Rochdale, but free and happy to do what he wished with his life. Alfred, kissing her passionately as they sat on the sofa in the drawing room…

Perhaps she should not indulge in such wild dreams, but they were the only place she could be as free with Alfred as she wished when she was awake.

She could not just lie here thinking such things. It was Sunday, and Alfred had already agreed with the Reverend Michaels that the Rochdale house would not be attending church today. She needed to get up and on with her chores.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Meredith sensed the early morning air. She had left the curtains open as she always did. There was something about waking up to the sunrise every morning, and as she stepped over to the window, she opened it and breathed in.

Fresh air. It was only today that a scent of autumn was in the air. The heat of the summer was gone.

“Miss Hubert!”

Meredith whirled around. It was Mrs. Martin. She did not know about the kiss, did she? The housekeeper had never bothered her before in her rooms, only to deliver the looking glass, and that had been with a most begrudging air.

“Miss Hubert?”

“Yes, Mrs. Martin?” Meredith said in a quavering voice. She swallowed. She must not allow anyone to think that anything was amiss.

Her bedchamber door opened to show a stern Mrs. Martin. “You are up, then?”

“Almost,” said Meredith hastily, stepping toward her wardrobe. “If you let me know where you are starting, I will endeavor to be downstairs helping you in—”

“You have been a great help to me this last week.” Mrs. Martin hesitated, and Meredith stared. Had she really heard that correctly? “I was mistaken in you, and for that, I apologize. Always happy to admit when I was wrong, as it happens so infrequently.”

Meredith stifled a smile. It was exactly the sort of apology Mrs. Martin would give.

“That is very gracious of you, Mrs. Martin,” she said. “I am always happy to be useful, and I am glad I could help on this occasion.”

“Hmm,” said Mrs. Martin gruffly. “I came up here especial to find you, Miss Hubert, to say that and one other thing. You should stop here, if you please, or elsewhere if it takes your fancy, but relax, is what I am saying. ’Tis much easier to tidy up after a party than prepare for one, and you’ve done your bit. The undermaids and I can take it from here.”

Meredith blinked. Had she really heard such words of gratitude and, most importantly, leisure from Mrs.

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