The Governess' Debut by Wendy May Andrews

Author:Wendy May Andrews [Andrews, Wendy May]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clean Reads
Published: 2015-09-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Denbigh, did you say?” asked an aging debutante a year or two older than Felicia. “Are you acquainted with the Viscount of Strath?”

“Not very well. He and his wife are very hospitable and invited me and my family to their home on occasion, but they did not spend very much time in the area, so we did not become very well acquainted. Are you close with them?” Felicia asked innocently, unfamiliar with the games of the ton.

“Oh yes, we are friends,” came the quick reply from Lady Gertrude.

“Oh good, I have been wondering how their little boy, Charles, has been faring since his bout of pneumonia this past spring, but I was uncomfortable presuming upon the connection. Do you know if he is fully recovered?”

Lady Gertrude blushed angrily as she had to admit that she had no idea how the boy fared. Evidently she was not such a close friend as she wished to present. The earl had witnessed the exchange and smiled in amusement before he took in Felicia’s bewildered expression. His own expression softened in admiration of her lack of artifice. He thought to come to her aid but the countess beat him to it.

“Come along, Felicia, you have not gotten acquainted with my dear friend, Lady Banting. She and I have been friends since our debut into society. You will like her, I am certain.” Felicia was happy to oblige. Lady Banting was a spirited, older lady with kind eyes. She took to Miss Scott at first introduction.

“Lady Astley tells me you are a recent orphan. Let me start by saying how sorry I am for your loss. Losing both parents at the same time and you not yet married, that is a tragedy, my dear.”

Surprised by this unlooked for kindness, Felicia had to swallow past the lump that formed in her throat, while she blinked back the tears gathering in her wide, glistening eyes. It would not do to dissolve in a puddle of tears during her first high society function. Imagining the scene in her mind’s eye got her past her grief, making her grin.

Felicia dropped another brief curtsy to the countess’ friend. “It is so kind of you to say so, my lady. You are right, it is a tragedy, but I have been blessed with some good friends and a safe harbor in the storm.” She then skillfully steered the conversation into less volatile waters. “Have you been in town for the entire season, Lady Banting?”

“Yes, my dear, my husband sits in the House of Lords for every last session. He does love his politics, my dear, so he insists on being in London almost constantly. We will be heading to our estate during the mass exodus, as will no doubt the earl’s household. Will you be returning to Denbigh for the summer, Miss Scott?”

“Not this year, my lady,” Felicia could sense the other lady’s question was not motivated by any ill will, but it was still not a practical subject to discuss, if it was not to be revealed that she was the governess.

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