How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,34

interest in asking another lady after he escorted Miss Thatcher off the man floor until Higgins jumped in to ask the governess to dance before she even had time to take a seat.

Lord John was very much unaccustomed to the feelings that turned in his stomach as he watched Miss Thatcher place her hand in Higgins’. Not wanting to take his eyes from them, but needing to avoid being caught watching them, Lord John asked the lady to his right to dance instead.

He had been slightly worried at Lady Temperance’s comments at dinner that several of the party shared her views regarding the governess and the child. Clearly, if they did feel this way, it was well masked. Miss Thatcher danced the whole night through, never wanting for a partner.

Lord John had never considered how many of his friends were single and possibly in want of a wife until this moment. He sincerely regretted several of his invitations, Higgins included, for the attention they were showing Miss Thatcher.

He knew these feelings were ridiculous. He had no reason to fault his friends or Miss Thatcher for getting acquainted with one or the other. In fact, if anything, he had partly made this party to introduce her into his society. Now seeing her enveloped in it, he feared she might no longer be as permanent a fixture in his life as he once thought.

Lord John was also keenly aware that his own intentions might have been misconstrued as he asked lady after lady to dance throughout the night. In the past, he might dance one or two sets with a lady, usually one that was a close friend with no affection between them beyond friendship.

Tonight, however, were several ladies in Lady Temperance’s position. They were very much on the prowl for a husband. Lord John may have been in precarious circumstances at the moment, but it was not common knowledge.

To them, he was a member of a wealthy, well-connected family. He was of the age to be seeking a companion. He was most certainly a prime target.

In such a situation, he usually would have avoided asking any such ladies to dance at a private ball. It might have given hope when he felt he was in no position to seek a match.

Having to continue to change partners throughout the night in a desperate attempt to be close to Miss Thatcher meant he couldn’t be picky in choosing. He hoped he wasn’t giving ladies false assumptions that he too was in the market for a companion. Such a thing was furthest from his mind.

As the dancing wound down, the second buffet enjoyed, and the guests became sleepy, he was glad to see that Miss Thatcher had insisted on refusing the final few dances.

He had marvelled the whole night how she seemed to fit so well into his associations. It made it difficult for him to remember a time that he enjoyed himself without her presence. Her laughter at one gentleman’s joke as they conversed on the dance floor had been a magical tinkling that floated over the air. Even the bright red that came to her cheeks as she grew tired had only made her presence shine more brightly.

He found her countenance infectious. When she smiled and laughed, he couldn’t help but feel the joy bloom within himself as well. The satisfaction at knowing this night had brought her such happiness gave him such a great sense of accomplishment. One far greater than any completed manuscript.

Though he skirted around the truth of the matter, Lord John was beginning to realise that his feelings and intentions towards Miss Thatcher were not professional or even platonic. He was sure now, as he reflected on the jealousy that had bubbled within him, the joy at seeing her look at him with her eyes alight, that he was falling in love with his governess.

With this dawning realisation and acceptance, Lord John sought to be at her side as Miss Thatcher sat and watched the few remaining dances of the night. He wouldn’t tell her, of course. To do so would be completely inappropriate in their current situation.

He had no idea where her affections lay. For all he knew, she could have been sitting and plotting a chance to leave and marry Higgins or one of the many others she had met tonight. He would have liked to ask where he stood in the rankings of her heart but knew such a thing would have been far too