How to Claim a Governess’s Heart - Bridget Barton Page 0,54
is not in my care, in the duke’s care. I have no doubt that you are the reason it isn’t so.”
The dowager duchess spoke with such energetic accusation that her slightly protruding jowls shook with furry. Next to her, Lady Temperance could not have had a more smug grin. Bridget squirmed and looked around her. Several other people in the park were taking notice of their heated conversation.
“I don’t understand why you would think that,” Bridget spoke softly. “I have no motivation for insisting Betsy stay with Lord John even if I had the power to do so. I can assure you I have no such intention.”
She hoped the lowering of her voice might encourage the duchess to do likewise.
“You have bewitching power,” the dowager shouted.
Even Lady Temperance looked a little startled at how high the older woman’s temper seemed to rise.
“I know all about how you are trying to tempt my son. No doubt you think a man like him would be a great catch for a girl with no family, no connections. You have tricked my son into keeping the child despite the disgrace it causes my family. You do it for your own selfish desires to get your hooks into my son.”
Bridget’s mouth hung open like a codfish’s. She struggled to find a way to speak after such accusations.
“I will tell you here and now that if you do not desist in these futile efforts, I will ensure that you never find employment again! I am not one to make an enemy of, Miss Thatcher,” the dowager finished, spitting out Bridget’s name.
She straightened to her full height, which was just slightly shorter than Bridget, and lifted her chin high in the air. It seemed she was done with her lecture and was ready to move on with her companion.
Lady Temperance gave Bridget a final look of triumph before turning to guide her walking partner down the path. Still, Bridget couldn’t find words. She simply watched the two walk away at a leisurely pace, her mouth still open wide.
Tearing her gaze from the fleeing party, she looked around her. Several nurses who were currently overlooking children were huddled together, whispering. One couple was pointing at her as they spoke to another as they intersected.
Bridget felt hot tears stinging her eyes. She refused to cry in front of all these onlookers. Quickly she made her way to Betsy, who was still running and playing, none the wiser.
“We have to go right now, Miss Betsy,” Bridget croaked.
Betsy protested at leaving the park so soon, but Bridget couldn’t explain more. If she attempted to utter another syllable, she was sure to lose all control. Instead, she kept a firm grip on Betsy’s hand and walked her down another path.
It would be a much longer, roundabout way to get back to their home, but it would also ensure that they wouldn’t catch up with the dowager or Lady Temperance in the process.
She couldn’t believe the accusations that had been thrown at her. Clearly, it was all information fed to the dowager duchess from Lady Temperance. Though Lord John had insisted that arrangements between him and the lady were over, it didn’t seem that the lady or his mother agreed. Why else were they in such close confidence?
Bridget was sure even without Lady Temperance bending her ear the dowager would have treated her with contempt. It was terrifying for someone of Bridget’s standing to realise she had not only a duke who disliked her also a duchess who was determined to make Bridget her enemy.
People with such high power, both civically and socially, should have never given Bridget the time of day, let alone despise her. Yet here she was, seeming to make more enemies with each passing week.
Chapter 18
Lord John felt like he was breathing fresh air for the first time in weeks. He knew he was being a little dramatic. The atmosphere in the hall was no different than that inside his office. Having barely emerged from it for so long, and spending most of that time bent over his desk, it seemed everything else had changed around him.
He was excited to locate Miss Thatcher and tell her the good news. The manuscript was complete and ready to be taken to various publishers. A huge weight seemed to lift off his shoulder as he finished his final read and round of edits. He was sure that it was as perfect as it could possibly be.