Mr. Darcy and the Governess: A Pride and Prejudice Romantic Comedy by Alix James

Author:Alix James [James, Alix]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Winsome Wit Publishing
Published: 2023-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Elizabeth

“Are we there yet?” Poppy’s voice piped up for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Soon,” I sighed, peering out at the looming façades. “Soon.”

The wheels of our carriage clattered on the cobblestone streets of Portoferraio, echoing the thud of my pounding headache. Our tour of the port city had been a delight… for everyone else. Poppy, true to form, was an inexhaustible whirlwind, wanting to touch every market stall and shout a greeting to every passerby. Mortification did not begin to describe my discomfort. How to make a six-year-old understand that she was treading upon a place and a time that was history in the making? I could still hear her delighted shrieks, even as the bustle of the town faded behind us.

But the parents seemed to care little enough about their daughters’ conduct. Even Campbell paid her little mind, or if he did notice her, it was with an indulgent smile and some flattering comment about what a pleasure it was to see the world through a child’s eyes. Balderdash! I think he was trying to avoid embarrassing his guests. Really, how awkward would it be to ask someone to prevent their child from creating an international incident? So, it was left to me to manage the thing.

Darcy was the only one who did seem to notice, but he could do little to help me. There was that one moment, though, when Lady Holt tried to force Bea to address our tour guide with questions about the architecture of the city. And rather than permit Bea to suffer embarrassment for her stutter, Mr. Darcy inserted himself and changed the subject. At another time, I’d have thought him rude for the way he dismissed the girl. But Bea was relieved.

They were all bound for the palace now—Campbell, the Holts, and Darcy. The girls and I were returning to Campbell’s residence, but this was to be the others’ first glimpse of Napoleon’s house. For myself, I could do without that honor, and the look Darcy gave me when we mounted our separate carriages told me he felt the same. The children were a much safer form of chaos for me this afternoon than taking tea in the palace of a former emperor.

At last, the carriage came to a stop outside Campbell’s residence. Poppy was already tumbling out before the footman could offer a hand. I thanked him and followed suit, keeping a close eye on the children as we ascended the steps. Finally, they were quiet. Poppy was actually walking with her face pressed into my skirts and yawning. Perhaps the stress of travel and lack of sleep had finally caught up with her.

As we walked toward our rooms, my steps slowed as I spotted Miss Clara outside Lord Holt’s door. It was one thing for me to be friendly with her when we were alone. It was quite another to ask the girls to become sociable with their father’s mistress.

No fear of that, however, for Clara was just closing the door.

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