A Lord’s Whimsical Governess (Preview)

Prologue

Charles Talbot, Earl of Hensol, waited outside the door of his mother’s bedchamber. His two young brothers, William and Matthew, sat by his side. Matthew kicked his feet back and forth, dangling inches above the floor while William sat in stony silence. A pang of grief shot through Charles’ heart.

Their mother was dying. William and Matthew, seven and five years old, would have precious few memories of her, just as they had none of their father. He had died only four years earlier, shortly after Matthew had been born.

Since then, Charles had taken on the weighty responsibility of running the estate and making sure his brothers were cared for. When his mother had fallen ill at the beginning of the year, Charles felt the burden pressing down on him even more. What was he going to do without his mother? She had been his rock while he had learned to run the estate. Now, he would be alone, the man of the house, and a substitute parent to his brothers.

“My Lord?” The doctor eased his head out the door. “You and your brothers may come in now.”

Charles ushered William and Matthew into the room but kept the doctor for a moment. “How is she?”

The doctor shook his head. “I’m afraid t’will not be long. Her lungs are filling with fluid. There is nothing more to be done.”

Charles nodded, his heart breaking. “Thank you for trying to make her comfortable.”

“Of course. I’ll wait just over here.” The doctor trudged to the hearth on the room’s far side, sitting down in a chair to rest. Charles had been with his mother all night and into this morning and knew how exhausted the doctor must be as well.

Charles rang for the housekeeper, and she soon appeared. “Please bring the doctor some tea.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Charles then turned to the bedside. His brothers waited a few feet away, afraid to go any closer. Their mother’s condition had worsened over the last few weeks. William had become increasingly difficult to deal with as he tried to navigate his grief. Nightmares had plagued Matthew, his mind fighting against the thought of losing his mother.

She held her hand out to her boys, trying to smile. She had grown so thin, her cheeks sunken, her skin deathly white. “Come here, my angels,” she said to William and Matthew. They approached the bedside tentatively. Matthew reached out and took her hand. William merely stood there, looking down at the shell of a woman who had always been a constant in his life. Now that was about to be gone.

“Hello, Mother,” Matthew said. “I caught a butterfly today.”

That made her smile. “Did you? That is wonderful, Matty. What colour is it?”

“White with black dots. Can I keep it, Mother?”

She squeezed his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it gently. “Of course, you can.” She glanced up at Charles, pain filling her eyes. He knew it was not so much the pain of approaching death but the thought of leaving them, especially her two youngest sons. ”You must keep it and think of me every time you look at it.”

William sniffed as he listened to the conversation. She turned her attention to him. He took it dutifully, even though Charles could see he was uncomfortable. Charles knew precisely how he was feeling. Perhaps if he didn’t allow her to speak her goodbyes, he could stave off death. The wish of a seven-year-old to keep his mother for a little while longer. If only wishes could work miracles.

Charles knelt between the boys, wrapping his arms around their shoulders. “They’ve been very good, Mother. You should be proud.” Tears welled in his eyes, mirroring their mother’s.

“Very good. You must all promise to be good … when I am gone.”

William jerked his hand free of her slight grasp. “No! You cannot leave us! I’ll never be good again if you do!”

Charles took a moment to recover from the shock. Instead of allowing him to reprimand William, Mother held up her hand. “Will, look at me. Look at me, son, please.” When William finally met her gaze, she touched his cheek. “I don’t want to leave you, son. If it were in my power, you know I would stay. Your brother will take good care of you, so know.” She brushed her fingers through his short brown hair, seeming to take in every memory of his face so she could take it with her. “I love you, son.”

William started to cry then, and Matthew followed, even though unable to understand death’s finality. They buried their faces in her arm and wept. Charles stood and gave them their moment, blinking back tears of his own. He had to be strong for them.

“No more tears, now, my angels. Let me speak with Charles for a moment.” She drew a ragged breath as the boys stood aside by the housekeeper. Charles sat in a chair next to the bed and took her hand. It felt like ice.

“I need you to be strong for them. Take care of them and be sure they grow up to be men your father and I would be proud of.”

“I will, Mother. I promise.”

“I know I can count on you. There is one last thing I charge you with.” She paused as a fit of coughing seized her. When she was able to speak again, her voice was raspy. “You must find a wife and carry on the family line. Hensol must last to the next generation. Your father worked so hard to keep this estate intact.”

Charles let out a breath. Finding a wife was the last thing on his mind right now. However, to ease her departure from this life, he would promise. “I will find a wife, Mother. She will not be able to live up to you when it comes to being mistress of this great estate, but I will try to find someone worthy.”

She coughed, rising and shifting over on her side. He placed a hand on her back, looking around at the doctor. The man simply shook his head, indicating that this was normal. There was nothing he could do to help her. It took her several seconds to recover. Lying back down on the pillows, she closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. When she spoke again, her voice was gravelly, no louder than a whisper. “Nonsense. There are several ladies who would do the job credibly – Lady Amelia, for example.”

Charles smiled and shook his head with embarrassment. “She would never consider me. I am much too subdued for her type.”

His mother grabbed his hand and squeezed, capturing his gaze in earnest. He did not expect a dying woman to be able to squeeze his hand so hard. “Do not wait too long after I am gone. No one can know what this life will bring. It is your duty to keep this estate going, son. It is your duty …” Her voice carried all the regret of having to leave them. Charles could tell that she was fading fast.

“I promise, Mother. I will do my duty; I swear to you.” He waved the boys over, knowing that time was short. William was stoic, standing by the bed while trying to maintain a brave front. Matthew, however, threw his arms over their mother’s side and wept.

“Do not leave us, Mama. Please, stay with us.”

Charles felt his own tears welling at the corners of his eyes. He knew exactly how Matthew felt. He had cried at his father’s bedside, even though he was a full-grown man. They had been very close, and he supposed that a part of grief was also selfishness. He had not felt ready to take over the running of the estate.

“I believe in you, son. You will do well,” his father had said right before he passed.

Charles placed a hand on Matthew’s back and pulled him into a hug. The boy clung to him as if he were drowning.

“I love you, my boys. All of you. Try to remember me as I was …”

The doctor came over then and whispered to Charles. “You may want to send the boys away, especially Matthew. The last bit of this can be rough.”

“Of course.” Charles nodded to the housekeeper, asking her to take the boys to their governess.

The doctor made to leave, but Charles stopped him. “Please, stay. I don’t know if I can do this alone.”

The older man nodded, smiling sadly. “Of course, My Lord.”

Charles sat down and watched the life drain from her face. Her breathing was very loud and crackled. The fluid in her lungs was slowly drowning her. He could not bear to watch but watch he must. No one should be alone as they passed from this life.

He struggled to stay awake, having slept little during the last few days. He leaned his head against the back of the chair and tried to think of happier times. Before he knew it, he was nodding off.

Awakening with a start a few minutes later, he saw the doctor was standing over his mother, searching for a pulse. “Doctor?”

He turned and shook his head. “It’s over. She’s gone, My Lord.” He took the edge of the sheet and started to cover her face. Standing to join him at the head of her bed, Charles stayed his hand.

“I’ll do it,” Charles offered. The doctor walked away, turning his back so that he could have some privacy. Charles leaned down and kissed his mother’s forehead tenderly. “Goodbye, Mother.” He lifted the sheet and covered her face. Taking a few steps away from the death bed, he joined the doctor. “Thank you again for all you’ve done.”

“My deepest condolences, My Lord.”

“Thank you.” Charles shook his hand and left the room, walking down the hall in a daze. He went to his brother’s room to tell them she was gone. Gone. How could she be gone? The reality of it had not quite set in. Perhaps it would take days or even weeks for the realization to sink in.

He opened the door and saw the governess was at the blackboard. She was making them run through their sums, no doubt, to keep their minds occupied. When she spotted him at the door, she halted mid-sentence and excused herself from the room. The boys turned, running to him.

Hugging them, he lowered his voice. “Mama is gone to be with the angels, boys. It’s over now.” Matthew dissolved into tears again, but William took a step back and put a hand on Charles’ shoulder.

“I shall help you run the estate if you would like. I know there is a lot of work to do.”

Charles smiled.

“That is very kind of you, thank you. I shall let you know if I need your assistance, Will. I think I shall need more help with looking after Matty. Can you do that for me?”

Will straightened, puffing out his chest. “I’ll look after him.”

“Good man.” Charles took him by the shoulders, and they all sat down on the wood floor. “We must all be brave and look out for each other now. We are all we have left.”

“Shall we make a pact?” William suggested.

“Yes, a marvellous idea. We shall make a pact to always be there for each other, shall we? Here, give me your hands. Good. We’ve shaken on it, and our pact cannot be broken.”

The boys leaned their heads on his shoulders. Charles took a deep breath as they sat in silence. He was their guardian now. He only hoped he would do a good job caring for his brothers.

Chapter One

Six Months Later

Charles was working in his study when he heard the knock on the door. He looked up and called for whoever it was to enter before returning his attention to a request from one of his tenants.

When he looked up, his housekeeper was standing before his desk. He put the letter down and motioned for her to take a seat. “What can I do for you, Mrs Taylor?”

She folded her hands dutifully in her lap and took a deep breath before beginning. He could tell this was not going to be a pleasant conversation for her. “My Lord, I appreciate the grief that you and your brothers are experiencing. However, I cannot continue to fulfill the role of housekeeper and governess. Master William and Master Matthew require constant supervision to make sure they stay out of mischief. Their studies are suffering, and my duties as housekeeper are as well.”

“I understand. Of course, you know that I have been searching for a new governess for the boys. I hope to have one within the new few weeks.” Charles stood and began to pace. Ever since their mother had died, the boys had become increasingly difficult. The governess his mother had employed left shortly after her passing. His brothers tormented her instead of focusing on their studies. She went to find an easier position, where her talents for discipline and education would be appreciated, the former governess had told him.

Charles had begged her stay and had reprimanded the boys. But nothing he said seemed to make a difference. He was so busy with the estate affairs that he had little time to spend with them. He knew they resented his long trips away. Their behaviour was even worse when he was away. The last governess had left without notice as soon as he had returned home from the previous trip. That was three weeks ago, and he knew that he was in danger of losing his housekeeper as well if he did not find a governess soon.

“I cannot wait weeks, sir. I do not wish to sound callous or rude, but I did not come here to be the governess. I came to be your housekeeper and make sure that your home is properly managed.”

Charles halted, looking down at the woman’s worn features. He imagined she would have been a beautiful woman when she was young. He knew that his brothers were running her ragged. It was not fair for him to ask her to take on double the duties without compensation. He would give her a bonus as soon as a new governess was found. “Would you be willing to help me interview new candidates, Mrs Taylor? Perhaps if we help each other, we may find someone quickly?”

Her face brightened at this. “Of course, My Lord. I will send out another advertisement right away!” She stood and curtsied.

“Thank you, Mrs Taylor.” When she was gone, he rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, letting out a long sigh. The burden of his responsibilities weighed him down. Finding another governess should have been the least of his worries. However, if he wanted to keep Mrs Taylor, he would have to.

“How can I be expected to run this estate and worry over my brothers every second of the day!” he growled. He would speak with the boys, threaten them if he had to. They had become unruly over the last few months. His mother would be ashamed of him if she could see. Charles let out another frustrated sigh. He was failing them.

Charles left the study, knowing that he could not focus until he had reprimanded his brothers. Mrs Taylor did not deserve how they were treating her. He stormed up the stairs to the classroom and opened the door.

The scene that confronted him made his blood boil. Instead of sitting down to their studies, his brothers were playing cricket. William threw the ball, and Matty hit it. The ball went sailing across the room and through the window. It shattered, raining glass down on them. They covered their heads and knelt, trying to shield themselves.

“Boys!” Charles yelled, coming into the room. They turned in tandem, their eyes wide with fear. They stood, and William put an arm around Matthew’s shoulders. He started to whimper, tears streaming down his face.

Charles felt terrible for scaring Matthew, but he had had enough. This was the last straw. “Come here this instant,” he bellowed. “Sit down.”

The boys did as they were told, sitting in the desks where they should have been working all along.

Charles towered over them, giving them a stern gaze. “Now, look here. I have just had a talk with Mrs Taylor, and she has informed me that you are not doing your work. And now I come up here to find you playing cricket in the house! Do you know how much windows cost?”

Matthew sniffed, and Charles pulled out a handkerchief for him. He thrust it into his face and scowled, “Wipe your nose and stop snivelling.” Kneeling, he softened. “I know that it has been difficult without Mama. However, that is no excuse to torment your governesses and drive me batty. I need to focus on my work with the estate, boys. William, you told me that you wanted to help with the estate. Well, you can help me by being diligent in your studies and making sure Matty does the same.”

William rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s just a bloody window. And our governesses teach us nothing of value. They are old and boring.”

“Use that language again and I shall take a switch to you. Do you understand?” William backed down and nodded. “Would you rather I send you away to school early? I had hoped to wait until you were a bit older, but if you do not change your behaviour and your attitude, I will have no other choice.”

William straightened, and his eyes turned pleading. “No, please, brother, don’t send me away yet. Matty couldn’t bear it.”

He took their hands. “Then I need you to remember our pact. We promised to be there for each other. But you two have not been holding up your end of the bargain. I need you to behave and listen to your governess. When I do find another governess, you will not torment her. You will not play harmful pranks on her and drive her away. Do you understand?”

They both nodded, promising to be good. Charles gave them a stern look to make sure they knew that he was serious. “We promise to be good, Charles. Please don’t send us away.”

Charles stood. “As long as you keep your end of the bargain, I will not send you away early. Now, come downstairs and have your luncheon so that I can have this room cleaned.”

The boys bounded out of the room, and Charles went over to the window. It would take weeks to have this fixed. Yes, another cost and worry added to his burdens. He called for one of the maids to come and clean up the glass. Returning to his study, he continued his answer to his tenant he had been handling before Mrs Taylor interrupted him.

After finishing the letter, he found that he needed a bit of fresh air. Leaving the study, he walked out into the hall and called for his horse to be saddled. He could check on the progress of the new wall he was having built on the edge of the property. His mount was brought to the front of the house, and he quickly got up in the saddle.

Riding off towards the western section of the wall, he let his mind wander. The warm breeze blew his short black hair as he rode. He took a deep breath and felt his calm return. If only he could spend all his time out of doors instead of in that stuffy office.

When he reached the wall, the foreman gave him an update. “We will have this section done by the end of the week. Then we’ll move on down towards the south-facing wall and begin the reconstruction of the collapsed areas.”

“Very well done, Jarvis. It looks very sturdy,” Charles praised.

“Rider coming, sir!” one of the workers announced. Charles looked up and followed where the man pointed. He shielded his eyes against the sun, recognizing his old friend, Lord Benjamin Graham. He raised his hand in greeting and went to meet him at the wall.

“Hello, old chap!” Benjamin said as he approached. His horse whinnied as he reined him to a halt on the opposite side of the wall.

“Hello, Ben. What brings you here?” Charles led his steed over to the wall and remounted.

“I came to see you. We’ve not seen you since we came back from the wedding trip.” Benjamin was beaming. He and his wife, Anna, had married just a few months ago.

“I am glad to see you, my friend. Come, ride over to the southern sections with me.” Charles clicked his lips and spurred his horse into a trot. Benjamin rode back a few yards and jumped the low wall, joining Charles as he rode down the stone wall.

“How was Europe?” Charles asked, inspecting the stonework as they went.

“Intoxicating. I was made for married life.” He smiled. “When are you going to take the plunge, old fellow?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “I’m not that old. I suppose I shall have to marry soon. I did promise Mother I would find a wife.”

Benjamin quieted, knowing that Charles was struggling to adjust to this new way of life. It had only been six months since his mother had died. “Anna has a cousin from Manchester …” he teased, trying to lighten the mood. However, it was challenging to lighten Charles’ spirit, no matter what was going on. He was a stoic sort of man, always very serious, thinking of his duty first and foremost.

Charles laughed, though, to Benjamin’s surprise. “I already have a woman in mind, Ben. You know that. Mother had her heart set on me marrying Lady Amelia. I suppose she is as good a choice as any.”

“Ever the romantic,” Benjamin said sarcastically. It was his turn to roll his eyes.

Charles waved him off. Benjamin had always been a bit cavalier, refusing to comply with the demands placed on him. His wife had been a housemaid. His father had objected to the match, of course, but Benjamin refused to budge. Anna had turned out to be a diamond in the rough, slipping into her role as if she had been born to it. She seemed to be born a princess, with all the extraordinary graces and charm that came with the station. If not by blood, Anna was a lady by attitude.

“I don’t have time to be romantic. Mother was right. I need to find a wife who can help me with the estate. I need to make a good impression on people and show them that I am fit to run this estate.”

“Not to mention you need an heir to pass it on to. You are doing well with the improvements. The wall is coming along nicely, and I’ve seen your plans to improve the tenant housing. It’s all very ambitious.”

“It’s the least I can do. The tenants deserve warm places to sleep. Did you know my grandfather was the last one who put new roofs on the tenant houses?” Charles clicked his tongue. “However, you are right. I wonder sometimes if I have taken on too many projects at once. And then there are the boys …” He could feel his anger boiling again as he thought about the broken window. He had to remind himself they were just boys. Once, he had been the rowdy, adventuresome youth he now saw in his brothers.

Those days were over now. Charles squared his shoulders, and Benjamin slapped him on the back. “You’re doing a fine job with the boys. Do not let anyone tell you differently, my friend, including yourself.”

Chapter Two

Elisabeth Steele wiped her brow with the back of her arm and continued kneading the lump of bread dough. Her younger sister, Harriet, sat in the corner with the mending.

“Mother!” Elisabeth called, plopping the dough into a bowl. She covered it with a fresh towel and left it in the window to rise, warmed by the sunshine.

“Yes, Elisabeth. What is it?” Her mother came into the kitchen carrying the finished laundry from the line. “Here, take this basket. Have you finished with the bread?”

Elisabeth rinsed her hands and dried them before taking the wicker basket. She began folding the clothes and placing them on the chair beside her. “It’s rising in the sill.”

“Good girl. Now, if you could get a position as a housemaid or even a cook, then we would be set.” Her mother reminded her at least twenty times a day of their dire circumstance. Life had been difficult since her father had died two years prior. Her mother worked harder than anyone she knew, taking in extra washing to make ends meet. However, it was still not enough.

“I am trying, Mother. Since I was able to finish school before Father died, I should be able to get a position, perhaps even as a governess.” Elisabeth had done her best to help her mother with the washing, staying up late into the night most days to try and help her. Along with the washing, her mother had five children. Elisabeth was twenty-three, an old maid in her mother’s opinion. “Since you refuse to get married, the least you can do is get a job and help me with the bills.”

It was not that Elisabeth had an aversion to the idea of marriage. She simply knew she did not want to marry just anyone, wanting more from life than what her mother had settled for. Harriet, now sixteen, was about to finish school. However, Elisabeth did not want her to have to work as a housemaid. She had encouraged her to finish her schooling first, as there would be more opportunities afforded her.

“Look at this!” The ladies turned to see Elisabeth’s brothers crashing into the house. Tom was the third child born to her parents, and at twelve years old, he was taking his new role as ‘man of the house’ very seriously. He was waving a news sheet in the air as he came in and promptly thrust it into Elisabeth’s hands.

“What is this?” She flipped it over, and Tom turned the pages for her.

“Here, in the advertisement section. ‘A top-notch governess’. That is what you have been looking for? And it is just over in the next town at Hensol Manor.”

“It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for, Tom. Well done. Mother, may I finish the folding later? I will go and answer the advertisement right away.”.

“Of course, my dear. Of course. However, I will finish the folding, and Tom will take your letter down the manor when you’ve finished.”

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“A Lord’s Whimsical Governess” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Elisabeth Steele is in desperate need of a paying position to help her family after her father’s untimely death. When she sees an advertisement for a governess position at Hensol Manor, it feels like a miracle. While her fun and imaginative way of teaching quickly wins over her two young pupils, her employer is definitely not as easy to crack. The lord of the manor may be handsome, but he has firm ideas about his younger brothers’ education. Forced to walk a fine line between practicing her unusual but effective methods and doing as she’s instructed, she can’t help but be affected by the Earl’s mesmerising gaze. When an intense attraction to this stubborn man is added to the equation, will her growing feelings affect Elisabeth’s decision to defy him?

Charles Talbot, Earl of Hensol, is reeling after the sudden death of his mother, which leaves him in charge of his two younger brothers. In the following months, as they chase off successive governesses with their mean tricks, he finds himself at his wit’s end. Out of sheer desperation, he hires a local girl with no references, hoping for the best. With her unconventional teaching methods, it becomes clear that the beautiful young woman is not at all what he expected in a governess and he’s entranced. Already courting a woman approved by his mother before her passing, how will he handle the startling realisation he’s rapidly falling in love with the red-haired beauty that is Elisabeth?

As Elisabeth and Charles clash over the boys’ lessons, their feelings deepen and become harder to ignore. Torn between the wishes of a man she’s losing her heart to and her wish to help his two grief stricken brothers, Elisabeth’s position becomes increasingly precarious. Will her continued defiance lead to her being turned out of the house in disgrace or will Charles bend, seeing his brothers’ happiness and discovering his own too? Will their inevitable conflict tear them apart forever or will their hearts find the path to each other by following the calling of true love?

“A Lord’s Whimsical Governess” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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