Mr. Gardiner and the Governess - Sally Britton Page 0,76

labors at last. This catalog of the flowers and insects inhabiting our lands will be a marvel for years to come, and through the change of seasons. Who knows but that a century from now, these very pages will be used by the naturalists of the future, to compare their world to ours?” The duke touched the large, green leather cover with reverence. “Thank you for your dedication, both of you, for making this work of science also a work of art.”

Then he opened the book and gestured for Alice and Rupert to look at its pages.

Alice noted a ribbon had been placed at the location where the duke opened the pages, and then she realized the significance of the illustration.

“Narcissus,” she said softly, her fingertips hovering over the page. “And Pieris napi. The little white moth.” They had been among her first of his drawings to color in, the flower and creature the first of each they ever discussed.

The room grew very still, and Rupert took her by the hand.

Alice turned and saw him kneeling beside her, and her eyes immediately filled with tears.

“Alice Sharpe, I always thought a book like this one would be my greatest work. The way I would prove myself to the world. But it has done something much more than that—it has brought me you, the one woman in the world who can love me even while I’m elbow-deep in brambles attempting to catch a wasp.”

A rather soggy laugh burst from her. That had been a memorable occasion.

“I love you, Alice. With His Grace’s permission, I would have you as my wife, and my partner, and the mother of my children. Will you have me?”

“Yes. Oh, Rupert. I love you.”

He stood quickly and wrapped his arms around her, bending to kiss her soundly on the lips.

“Dear me, in front of the children?” The dowager’s disapproval made everyone laugh.

“Oh, Grandmama,” Lady Rosalind protested. “It’s romantic.”

Alice and Rupert parted, and the children cheered for her. Until Lord James stopped suddenly. “Wait a moment. Does this mean Miss Sharpe cannot be our governess anymore?”

“I’m afraid so, dear.” The duchess smiled kindly at Alice. “But I do believe we will see more of the new Mrs. Gardiner in due time.”

Alice leaned against Rupert, resting her head upon his shoulder. Finally, she had a home. She had not expected to find it where she had—in Rupert’s arms.

Emma Arlen remained in her chair when the children and Josephine rose to give their good wishes to Mr. Gardiner and Alice. She watched, as she often did, from the edge of the spectacle, enjoying it even though she did not directly take part.

Like her, Alice Sharpe was an orphan, and she had finally found her place, and a family who loved her.

When the duke and duchess had given Emma a home in their castle, the paint still wet on the day Emma entered the impressive residence for the first time, she had felt rather like a princess. A decade later, only a year away from reaching the requisite age to receive the inheritance her parents left her, she still counted her blessings.

Josephine rejoined Emma on the chairs. “Isn’t it marvelous? I hope they will have the wedding in our chapel. It is so dull to only use it for Sunday sermons.”

“I do love weddings.” Josephine folded her hands in her lap. “Perhaps we can persuade Alice to use it.”

“Soon, too. Though I do not suppose Papa will offer to procure them a special license.” Josephine raised her eyebrows to suggest she wasn’t at all serious. “He will be far too occupied with the ambassador in the coming weeks.”

“The ambassador?” Emma blinked at her dearest friend, confused. “Which ambassador? Not that horrid Russian, I hope. His mustaches.” She shivered. “I tell you, I saw them dripping with soup after dinner that first evening.”

Josephine wrinkled her nose. “Most certainly not the Russian. No, this one is from Sicily. Or Milan? I cannot remember. Somewhere in Italy.” She waved away the details. “Papa told me I must be on my best behavior. You know what that means.”

“A bachelor.” Emma did not bother to hide her smile. “Poor Josephine.”

“I have no wish to marry anyone at the moment.” Josephine glowered at Emma. “But if he is very handsome, I might let you try flirting with him.”

Emma shook her head and nodded to where Mr. Gardiner and Alice now stood in discussion with the duchess and dowager, while the duke turned the pages in the new book. “I want what they have. Love. I doubt an Italian diplomat would care all that much for the companion to a lady. Not when the lady herself is present.”

“We shall see.” Josephine folded her arms and leaned back in her chair, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. “Someone will catch your eye one day, my dearest friend. I only hope I am present to congratulate him on the feat.”

They laughed together, and then Emma wandered over to the large globe the duke kept in the library. She spun it around on its axis once, then trailed her finger over England, across to France, and down to the boot-shaped mass of land labeled as Italy. She smiled to herself, then gave the globe another spin.

If you enjoyed this gentle romance, make certain to read the next in the series, A Companion for the Count, wherein Emma has a lovely romance of her own.

Another of Sally’s stories you might enjoy is The Social Tutor, a gentle story of unintended love.

Sally loves to connect with her readers through her Facebook group and her newsletter. Sign up for either to get all the latest news about releases and other fun!

Also by Sally Britton

Castle Clairvoir Romances

Mr. Gardiner and the Governess | A Companion for the Count

Hearts of Arizona Series:

Silver Dollar Duke | Copper for the Countess

The Inglewood Series:

Rescuing Lord Inglewood | Discovering Grace

Saving Miss Everly | Engaging Sir Isaac

Reforming Lord Neil

The Branches of Love Series:

Martha’s Patience | The Social Tutor

The Gentleman Physician | His Bluestocking Bride

The Earl and His Lady | Miss Devon’s Choice

Courting the Vicar’s Daughter | Penny’s Yuletide Wish

Stand Alone Romances:

The Captain and Miss Winter | His Unexpected Heiress

A Haunting at Havenwood

Timeless Romance Collection:

An Evening at Almack’s, Regency Collection 12

About the Author

Sally Britton, along with her husband, their four incredible children, and their dog named Izzie, live in Oklahoma. So far, they really like it there, even if the family will always consider Texas home.

Sally started writing her first story on her mother’s electric typewriter when she was fourteen years old. Reading her way through Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and Lucy Maud Montgomery, Sally decided to write about the elegant, complex world of centuries past.

Sally graduated from Brigham Young University in 2007 with a bachelor’s in English, her emphasis on British literature. She met and married her husband not long after and they’ve been building their happily ever after since that day.

Vincent Van Gogh is attributed with the quote, “What is done in love is done well.” Sally has taken that as her motto, for herself and her characters, writing stories where love is a choice.

All of Sally’s published works are available on Amazon.com and you can connect with Sally and sign up for her newsletter on her website, AuthorSallyBritton.com.