When a Duke Loves a Governess (Unlikely Duchesses #3) - Olivia Drake Page 0,64

details, although I believe His Grace has put about that nothing of value was taken aside from some of his papers. And I’m dying to hear if it’s true that you were present in his study when the theft was discovered this morning.”

Tessa detested being the subject of belowstairs gossip. Lud, did the other servants know that Carlin had charged her with the deed? Surely not, for he had made his accusations in private.

“I happened to wake early and went out to walk in the garden,” she hedged. “I was returning inside when Mr. Banfield came running with the news. His Grace had been on his way out to the stables, and he asked me if I would mind helping him straighten up the mess.”

The story sounded unconvincing even to her ears, and it elicited a curious look from Avis. She took a few stitches while musing, “I must say, it’s shocking to think of a criminal breaking into this house. As you can expect, Lady Victor was in a dither this morning when she heard the news. She’s certain we will all be murdered in our sleep.”

“It didn’t seem to me to be a typical burglary, though. No money or jewels were taken, only some notebooks belonging to the duke. Please don’t mention this to anyone, but it’s possible the culprit was looking for the treasure map that was mentioned at the lecture.”

Avis’s green eyes widened. “Ah, that would make sense. But how horrible! Does His Grace have any notion as to who it might have been?”

“There were some two hundred guests, so it could have been any one of them, I suppose.” Trusting that Avis would presume the duke wouldn’t confide in a mere governess, Tessa sought a way to casually work the conversation around to her purpose. “I’m afraid I knew no one in attendance but the family. Did you know any of the people who were there?”

“Having been with her ladyship for nearly five years, I recognized a number of them by sight. But I cannot speak for their character since I was never truly a member of the ton.”

“I believe you do know one of them, though.” Tessa leaned forward to place her hand over Avis’s. “I don’t mean to pry, but I had the distinct impression that you were closely acquainted with Lord Haviland.”

The woman’s fingers stilled on her mending. Her cheeks turned pink and distress clouded her eyes. “Oh, my. Was it so obvious?”

“Never fear, I very much doubt that any of the guests noticed.” Tessa didn’t want to upset her further by mentioning that Carlin had come to the same conclusion, too. “Yet he knew you by name and I couldn’t help but notice the way you two looked at each other.”

Sighing, Avis glanced out the window. “I daresay it would do no harm to tell you the story. It’s quite ancient history, really, having happened some ten years ago in Sussex, where my father was vicar of a small village church. It was just Papa and me, and I served as his housekeeper. One day I went out to the woods to pick blackberries to make jam when a storm blew up suddenly. There was so much thunder and lightning that I was frightened near to death. Then from out of nowhere, the handsomest man I’d ever seen came riding by and rescued me.”

A soft smile curved her lips, and she seemed almost to have forgotten Tessa’s presence. “He swooped me up onto his horse and just as the rain came down in a torrent, we took shelter in a gamekeeper’s hut. William—Lord Haviland he is now—said he was visiting a friend on a neighboring estate. I’d never in my life met such a charming man. One thing led to another and … oh, you must not think matters went that far. But we proceeded to kiss each other most thoroughly … until I came to my senses and fled.”

Having experienced passion in Carlin’s embrace, Tessa could fully understand. “He is very handsome. One can see why you were bowled over.”

“I learned only later of his reputation as a rake. Oh, he apologized most fervently and even called a few times at the vicarage, but I refused to be beguiled by his banter.” Her lips firmed. “I think what angered me the most is that Lord Haviland seemed to take for granted that I would succumb to his charm. As if a vicar’s daughter ought to be grateful for the attention