How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,53

beautiful woman and keep her companionship with the man who had taken her heart. It would be enough.

However, she was beginning to feel a significant change was coming her way. She doubted the duke would keep her on with Betsy if his nasty scowl had any indication of his intentions. She would be removed from Lord John and taken from Betsy. It was this fact that was ever at the back of her mind that seemed to taint every moment of her waking life as of late.

Bridget lowered her face, feeling her cheeks sufficiently warmed. There was little more happiness she could soak from the rare presence of the sun with all these tumultuous thoughts swirling around in her mind.

She opened her eyes and was startled to recognise a lady walking directly to the promenade from the opposite path. On a day like today, there were many people taking advantage of the sunshine. In fact, the promenade was much busier than usual, making it hard to point out Betsy from time to time among the small crowd of children.

She had no doubt who she saw walking towards the fountain. She couldn’t forget that lady, no matter how hard she tried.

Lady Temperance was strolling alongside a mature-looking lady. Both had delicate walking dresses, Lady Temperance’s in a soft powder blue with pink ribbons and the other lady in a deep forest green velvet, both with black parasols.

Before Bridget had time to stand and collect Betsy, Lady Temperance’s eyes locked with hers. She leaned over to her companion and whispered. The other lady looked at Bridget and directly made in her direction.

Bridget panicked. She had no idea what Lady Temperance could have said to make them want to come over to her. She had expected some narrowed glances, perhaps some distinct whispering with pointed fingers in her direction, but why they would come over to her was a mystery.

Lady Temperance of all her new acquaintances via Lord John would be the last one to wish to be seen in Bridget’s company in public.

Bridget stood as the ladies clearly came to speak with her. Before Lady Temperance had a chance to greet or make introductions, Bridget instantly knew who the mature lady was. She had seen those same bright blue eyes so often dancing in the light of the parlour room fire. Now they were looking at her with curiosity mingled with disgust.

“Your Grace,” Bridget curtsied and greeted the Dowager Duchess Ludford after introductions were made.

“Lady Temperance tells me you are the one that has been living in a most unusual situation in my son’s house,” the dowager said as she looked her up and down.

Bridget was suddenly keenly aware of how simple her grey frock and black spencer jacket was compared to her company. She would have liked to pull on her sleeves to ensure not even one of her scars were visible below her hem. She denied the temptation, knowing it would seem like she was fidgeting.

“I am not sure it is an unusual situation, Your Grace. I am employed as a governess for Miss Betsy. I am sure such arrangements are most common.”

The dowager’s eyes bulged out of her head in shock. She was not one who liked to be contradicted.

“How quick you seem to correct one such as I,” the duchess snapped back. “You are right,” she added to her companion, “that this one is most vocal in her opinions.”

“I didn’t mean offense,” Bridget said quickly. “I only thought perhaps you were misinformed on the reason for my presence.”

“I am well informed about the circumstances of your presence. I am also well informed about your motives for keeping my Godchild from me.”

“Forgive me, Your Grace, but I can assure you I have no say in that matter. I am merely the governess. If you would like, perhaps I can suggest to Lord John that he arrange a time for you to spend with Miss Betsy,” Bridget responded.

She had no idea what motives the duchess had conjured, and no doubt with the assistance of Lady Temperance. For a sudden, fleeting moment, Bridget was considering how upset the dowager might be that she had been kept from the child. Bridget started to wave Betsy over.

“In fact, I am sure she will be happy to see you right now,” Bridget suggested as she struggled to get Betsy’s attention.

“Oh, never you mind,” puffed the dowager. “I don’t need the thing here right now. You know very well, it’s an unorthodox situation that Betsy