How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,100
John had no doubt that he could see both his new wife and child taken care of comfortably until the sales of his novel produced an income. Much to his surprise, with the quick release of the book. It had already had high sales in several distinguished London bookshops.
It had not taken much to ensure the agent was agreeable to the fact that Constance Brown had actually been a nom de plume for Lord John. In fact, he was glad that he still got to publish such excellent work without having to return the bribe money to the duke. In his mind, he had not gone against his paid promise of refusing Lord John, yet still was able to reap the benefits from a superb piece of literary work.
Both Bridget and Lord John both knew that life before them wouldn’t be the easiest. Certainly, it wouldn’t have some of the comforts that a secure position as a military officer might offer, nor would they ever expect to live in the lavish comfort that the Duke of Ludford had. Still, they had both agreed that money and security weren’t what mattered most.
They would have the things they needed. Lord John would have the satisfaction of controlling his own life and providing the way he wished to do it. Betsy would grow up in a home with parents who loved each other and loved her dearly as well.
Bridget sighed contently that night as the guests made their way to their own homes, leaving the newly married couple to their privacy. Betsy had been carried up to bed long ago by Lord John, having fallen asleep as parlour games and laughter had abounded around her.
Now they were alone with nothing but the rest of their lives ahead of them.
“What has caused you to sigh so, Mrs. Hughan?” Lord John asked his bride.
“Sometimes, I fear that this is all just pixie trickery and a long midsummer night that I will wake from. I fear I will awake and you, our little house, our happy family, will all fade away with morning light.”
Lord John wrapped his new wife tightly in his arms. He had stolen several kisses that day, but for the first time, he was ready to kiss his wife openly and without holding back.
“I promise you this, my love, this is no pixie trick or fading dream. This is our future, and it will be a happy one.”
Lord John dipped his head low while Bridget tipped her chin to meet him. He kissed her long and passionately in the doorframe of their small cottage home. Twisting his fingers in her brown ringlets, he took the kiss deeper, pouring all of his love for this woman into that moment.
Bridget would have liked to stay in that doorframe forever. The moonlight glowing off their faces as they tangled in each other embrace. But she realised she had something better than this moment to look forward to, she had the rest of her life with her Lord John.
Epilogue
Bridget happily settled into her new life. In truth, aside from the location and her intimacy with Lord John, not a lot had changed from her old life in London. She still attended to Betsy’s educational needs each day, though their classroom expanded immensely with the addition of beautiful countryside.
Lord John had suggested they hire a nanny and governess to tailor to the child’s need, but Bridget had seen no reason for the frivolous spending even if they could afford it now. After all, she was trained as such and had already preformed both tasks for the last year. In Bridget's mind, no one could be a better teacher for a child than the one who loved and cared for her as a mother did.
“But it is so much work for you. You deserve the leisurely life of a lady,” Lord John protested. “I have the means to give you one, and I don’t see why you shouldn’t have it.”
Bridget laughed. “I have never once in my life considered myself a leisurely lady or aspired to be one. I am sure I would go mad with boredom if I even tried. I like teaching, and I love teaching Betsy.”
“Perhaps things will differ once we start to have children of our own,” Lord John suggested.
“I suppose you might be right. It might be well to have a nanny to help care for an infant when the time comes.”