The Impossible Governess by Margaret Bennett

Author:Margaret Bennett [Bennett, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Amazon: B00BKDUBY6
Goodreads: 17730621
Publisher: Margaret Anne Bennett Feuerbacher
Published: 2013-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

*** Chapter 9 ***

No summons for a reprimand came the following morning, so Georgeanne breathed another sigh of relief. Still, she was mindful that she needed to curve her behavior to that befitting a servant. Thus later that afternoon, Georgeanne, the governess, walked demurely beside her charge into the drawing room with Lord Townsend. As usual, Lord Raynor stood by the fireplace.

After she and Marissa had bobbed curtsies, they sat on the settee with Lord Townsend to partake tea. Lady Ashbury sat opposite Georgeanne, poised to pour tea, when the knocker sounded on the front door. Moments later, a discreet tapping on the double doors heralded Bivens, who announced Lady Olivia Cosgrove.

A stunned silence settled over the drawing room as all eyes stared at the beautiful vision in rose satin sailing past the butler. Olivia greeted Lord Raynor with a resplendent smile, then acknowledged Lady Ashbury and Will Townsend. Deliberately ignoring Georgeanne, Olivia glided over to Marissa and gave the child a light, condescending pat on the head, almost as if she were afraid of contamination, Georgeanne thought irreverently.

“You are just like a miniature lady, Marissa,” Olivia cooed in a cloyingly sweet voice.

Marissa’s little mouth formed a moue as she ducked her head down. Pulling away from Olivia’s hand, the child scooted closer to Georgeanne before her big doe eyes peeked up at her uncle through long brown lashes.

Raynor gave his niece a reassuring smile, and Georgeanne noticed that he made a point of placing Lady Cosgrove in a chair some distance away from his niece and her governess.

As Lady Ashbury resumed pouring tea, Olivia explained airily, “I have been meaning for ever so long to drop in and see your aunt, Anthony, for a comfortable coze, but somehow time just slips away. Of course, I had no idea your teas were strictly en famille,” she concluded, pointedly directing a glance at Georgeanne.

“Since she takes care of Marissa, stands to reason Miss Forsythe would be included,” Townsend spoke up. “Besides, I am here so it ain’t just family.”

Olivia gave a tinkling laugh. “Maybe not through blood relations, but certainly your relationship with Anthony qualifies you as an honorary brother. I wonder, would that make me his honorary sister? Though ours is hardly a type of relationship in which siblings indulge themselves.” She smiled coyly at Raynor.

Raynor acted as if he’d not heard a word. Instead, he asked Marissa if she cared for another macaroon. Since the child sat with one in her hand and another on her plate, she declined with a shake of her blond curls. Then he began questioning her about her schoolwork.

If Lady Cosgrove was miffed by Lord Raynor’s lack of attention, she hid it well. She chattered easily with Lady Ashbury and Townsend, mostly comparing their social calendars, which effectively eliminated Georgeanne from participating in their discussion. Unfortunately, the beauty weaseled out of Townsend that he would be attending a dinner at Curzon Street two nights hence. Consequently, with the aplomb of an accomplished hostess, Lady Ashbury graciously extended an invitation to Olivia.

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