Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Sally Britton Page 0,42

“I think she’s right.”

Knowing that the duke’s eldest daughter and her companion had discussed Alice in such a way, and before the younger girls, made her feel ill at ease. “I—I do not mean to act in a way contrary to what is expected. I know my first duty is to my position as governess. I would never dream—”

Lady Isabelle laughed. “Miss Sharpe, you needn’t worry. We do not disapprove.”

But their mother might. If word of Alice’s time spent with Mr. Gardiner reached the duchess, if she found out there was more to their time together than the duke’s project, Alice’s position might well be in peril.

“Are you going to see Mr. Gardiner today?” Lady Rosalind asked, sitting on the edge of her chair. “What are you going to wear? Mama says a woman’s choice of gown is as much about communicating what a lady thinks of her company as it is about looking her best.”

Alice put her hand to her throat, considering the question while trying to brush away the unease the girls had caused. “I—I thought I would wear this.” She lowered her hand to run it down the front of her dark brown, serviceable gown. The long sleeves might be impractical for a summer day, but they would protect her skin from the sun.

Identical looks of horror appeared on the girls’ faces.

“No, Miss Sharpe!” Lady Isabelle shook her head adamantly.

“You cannot keep a tryst wearing that,” the more romantically minded Lady Rosalind said sharply.

Alice felt her cheeks warm. “It is not a tryst.”

They both raised their eyebrows, then Lady Isabelle hopped to her feet. “Regardless, we cannot let you go for a walk with a gentleman wearing that. It’s all well and good to look frumpy in the schoolroom—”

“Frumpy?” Alice nearly laughed.

“—but you cannot stroll through a beautiful garden in a gown the color of mud,” Lady Isabelle finished severely, sounding older than her fourteen years. “What else do you have?” She went to the small wardrobe in the corner. “There must be something more suitable.”

Lady Rosalind stood, too. “And we must do something with your hair. Must you always wear it in such a severe knot?”

“It is hardly the concern of a governess to look attractive,” Alice argued, somewhat weakly.

“Nonsense. You are barely older than Josephine, but you dress like that horrid Miss Felton.” Rosalind sniffed, then pulled the chair to the middle of the room. “Sit. We will help you.”

Alice’s protests went unheard as the duke’s daughters took out every dress she owned— only six, at present—and cast each one upon the bed. Blue, gray, and brown day dresses were pronounced too matronly. The lilac evening gown met with wrinkled noses. The last two gowns apparently merited some study, however.

Lady Rosalind held one up to Alice’s chin. The gown was a pale blue, matching Alice’s eyes. It had been a gift from the same great-aunt who recommended her for the position of governess. The sleeves were long, the neckline high and modest, but the cut of the bodice did flatter Alice. The color made her eyes stand out, even from behind the clear lenses of her spectacles.

“That is pretty,” Lady Isabelle said. “What about the other one?”

Lady Rosalind put the other gown, a peach-colored dress with tiny rosettes at the sleeves, to Alice’s shoulders. The gown had been gifted to her by another relative, a cousin who had worn it only once and decided it did not suit her. Alice had worn it to church when there were weddings after the Sabbath services.

The elder sister cooed like a dove. “Oh, it’s lovely. Perfect for today. I think we ought to save the blue one for another outing.”

“Another outing?” Alice said, somewhat weakly. Would there be more somewhat clandestine meetings with Mr. Gardiner?

She found she rather hoped so.

“I agree,” Lady Rosalind said. “Put this on, Miss Sharpe, and then we will fix your hair.”

Alice did not know whether to be grateful or annoyed that girls so much younger than her had taken it upon themselves to prepare her for her meeting with Mr. Gardiner.

Gratitude soon won out, however, as her charges showered compliments upon her head. When they stood back to observe their handiwork, Alice’s heart lightened upon the pronouncement that she was very pretty.

“If only we could do away with the spectacles,” Lady Isabelle said.

“Oh, they are not so bad.” Lady Rosalind narrowed her eyes. “They make you look very scholarly, Miss Sharpe.”

Rather than admit she did not need them all the time, Alice simply