Temptation of a Governess by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory [Mallory, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Diana blinked.

‘Are you...’ she paused, then continued slowly ‘...are you, perhaps, opera dancers?’

The second young lady approached. She was as dark as her companion was fair, but equally pretty.

‘Non, non, mademoiselle. We are from ze Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris. They ’ave only the finest dancers in ze world, je vous assure. Monsieur Reynard, he brought us to Londres where Milord Davenport, he saw us perform, and he...er...il a organisé avec Monsieur Reynard that we should be...er...’ She waved her little hands and looked to her companion for assistance.

‘Zat we should come ’ere for two weeks to ’elp you with ze ballet your leetle girls are to perform.’

‘Bon.’ The brunette smiled and made a deep and graceful curtsy to Diana. ‘I am Chantal, à votre service, mademoiselle.’

‘Et moi—Suzanne.’ The blonde twirled about, as if to demonstrate her ability.

How dare he?

The two girls stood before Diana, smiling expectantly. She bit her lip. It was not their fault. Alex had sent them on purpose to outrage her. So far she had managed to turn to advantage his every attempt to put her out of countenance, but opera dancers!

I see you as an opponent worthy of my mettle.

Diana heard his words as clearly as if Alex was standing at her shoulder and it calmed her. She must not react in anger, that was what Alex expected. She took a deep, steadying breath and coolly invited Chantal and Suzanne to accompany her to the drawing room, where Fingle would bring them refreshments. They went before her, exclaiming at the view from the window, the pretty furnishings, the paintings on the wall.

‘Thank you. Will you not sit down, ladies?’

As they made themselves comfortable she observed them. They were very young, not yet twenty, she suspected, and brimming with friendly good humour. One could not dislike them, there was no malice in their attitude, they were genuinely happy to be at Chantreys and seemed unaware of Alex’s motive in sending them here. She waited until Fingle had brought in wines and sweetmeats before questioning them. She decided it would be easier if the conversation was conducted in French, then they could have no excuse for thinking she did not understand them.

‘Lord Davenport sent you here to teach his wards to dance, is that not so?’

‘But, yes, mademoiselle. He says they are to perform for his guests at the party he is arranging.’

‘Are you well acquainted with Lord Davenport?’ she asked them. ‘The truth, if you please.’

‘He came backstage, with his friend, Monsieur Wollerton.’ Chantal’s big brown eyes looked at her with not a hint of guile. ‘Monsieur Reynard, he is very strict about the gentlemen he allows to visit us after the performance.’

‘No doubt they have to be very rich.’

‘Certainly, mademoiselle.’

‘And Lord Davenport is exceedingly rich,’ Diana continued. ‘He is able to...er...pay Monsieur Reynard very well for your services.’

‘But, yes, of a certainty. It is not at all convenient for us to leave the ballet at such a time, but milord, he was very exact about the dancers he required.

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