Ruined (To Love a Governess Regency Short Story) (2 page)

“Why do you need Fairfield anyway?”

“My cousin is the best judge of character of anyone I know. I would like the benefit of his advice and opinion before I make a decision that will affect the rest of my life.”

James straightened from the desk and picked up his glass. “What if you found him a governess, then he could come to London.” He strolled to where Alec stood and poured brandy into his goblet.

Alec crossed to a leather chair in front of the fire and sank down into it.
 
“I wouldn’t even know how to go about such a task.”

James settled into the opposite seat and stared into the fire.
 
A sly smile came to his lips before he focused on Alec. “I know exactly how to go about finding a governess.”

Alec narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “I have no doubt as to your abilities when it comes to actresses, willing maids or courtesans.
 
I do doubt your ability to secure a proper and virtuous governess.”

James brought a hand to his chest in mock insult. “I will have you know that there is an employment agency in Edinburgh that caters to these situations.”

Alec sat up.
“Employment agency?”

“Yes.” James swiveled in his seat to face Alec more fully. “A friend of my mother’s opened it years ago to help young ladies
—
well-bred
ladies
—
find positions.”

“Why would such paragons need to find employment?”
 
He knew James well enough to be suspicious of any plan he hatched.

“Young women, sometimes ladies even, left destitute by family, no dowry, lower rankings, and such.
 
Without my aunt they would have nowhere to go.”

Alec sat forward. “Why haven’t I have heard of it?”

James laughed.
 
“When was the last time you were in Edinburgh?”

It had to be at least three years since he had been north.
 
There really was no reason why he shouldn’t though. Edinburgh was much closer to Willanton than London.
 

“And,” James continued, “even if you had been there, why would you have concerned yourself with an employment agency?”

Alec took a sip of his brandy. There was truth in his statement.
 
“I shall send a note to Fairfield.”

James sat forward again. “Don’t.”

Alec snorted and took a drink of his brandy.
 
There probably was no employment agency, just another of James’s schemes.

“I don’t think your cousin wishes to go to London at all. He’ll just keep coming up with excuses.”

Alec suspected as much himself.

“When you show up on his doorstep with the perfect governess he will have no more excuses.”

Alec nodded.
 
“I think I shall visit Edinburgh.”

James grinned.
 
“Excellent plan.
So glad I stopped by.”

“Why
are
you here, James?”
 
He hadn’t seen James since he left London a few months back.

“I am actually on my way to Edinburgh and hoped to talk you into going along.”

“Why?”

James sighed as if the weight of the world was on him. “You left London five months ago, and I know you don’t dally with your maids, so I thought to make sure you enjoy yourself one last time before you become leg shackled.”

Though he hated to admit it, James was right. It had been months since he enjoyed the intimate company of a woman. Traveling to Edinburgh would serve two purposes.
 
“I’ll be able to leave in a few weeks, if you can wait that long.”

James made a face. “I’ll go on ahead. I am not the type to resuscitate in the country while you do, well, whatever it is you do.”
 
He gestured around the room.

“It is called running an estate.”

Chapter 2

Alec settled into the chair before Mrs. Downey’s desk.
  
He wanted the interview behind him. He simply wanted to hire a governess and be on his way.
 
He arrived in Edinburgh only three days ago and was already desperate to return home.

 
While James enjoyed himself immensely, Alec couldn’t find the same enthusiasm for the city. Nor did he have any desire to take part in any of the planned activities.
 
He simply wanted to be with a lady with whom he could share a future.
 

James didn’t understand. He went from one
lightskirt
to another and Alec was hard pressed to explain why he had no wish to do the same. Alec wasn’t even sure he understood it himself. In the past, he and James had been of a same mind.
 
But not after last Season.
Damn! What if he didn’t find a lady in London? Was he doomed to live as a monk for the rest of his life?

“We only consider employers on the recommendation of others,” Mrs. Downing began. “Lord James spoke highly of your character, and that of Lord Fairfield and his wife, when he called on me yesterday.”

“Of course,” Alec assured her.
 
He hadn’t really interviewed and hired anyone before. All of the servants in his household had been retained by his mother or father before their deaths and he’d found no reason to replace anyone.
 
Still, he was surprised Mrs. Downey was so particular.
 
Maybe it was because the ladies came from good families instead of the working class.
 
Mentally he shrugged.
 
As long as he retained a governess for Fairfield it didn’t really matter what she asked him.

She placed a sheet of paper before her and dipped her quill in the ink. “I understand you wish to hire a governess?”
 
An eyebrow rose with her question as if there was more to being a governess than teaching small children.

“Yes.”
 
Since James had already spoken with the woman, Alec didn’t feel the need to elaborate more.

“Is there an age you prefer?”

He hadn’t given it much consideration, but the girls were young and it wouldn’t do to have a cranky older woman. “Early twenties, I suppose.
With a pleasant disposition.
 
Not someone who will be cross or short on patience.”

“What if the young lady has little experience? Would you see this as a hindrance?”
 
Mrs. Downey laid the quill on the desk.
 
“Her education has not been lacking.
 
Of that I can assure you. She is prepared for anything that may be required of her.”

Most ladies of society were well educated and all they needed to teach was what they’d learned themselves. It wasn’t as if Fairfield’s chits were all that old. “I shall trust that you can vouch for her knowledge.”

Mrs. Downy smiled.
“If this young lady accepts the position.”

“Shouldn’t I meet her first?” Alec interrupted.

“In a moment.
We have a few more questions.”

“I am not sure I understand.”

Mrs. Downey leaned forward and folded her hands on the desk. “Lord Winters, I run an exclusive establishment. I do not allow young ladies to be hired and sent off just anywhere. As much as you are concerned with your needs at the moment, I am just as concerned with what will happen to the ladies when they leave here.”

Did all employers take such an interest in their employees?
 

“How will she be treated?”

It was an odd question in regard to a governess. But, knowing his cousin and his wife, the governess would want for nothing. He knew of no household who spoiled their servants more. “Any need she has will be met and I imagine she would be quite happy with the arrangement.
 
Fairfield treats his servants almost as if they were family.”

Mrs. Downy smiled.
“Very well.
 
I will ring for Miss Rutledge.”

His heart seized at the name.
 
Could his Miss Rutledge have found her way here? No.
 
Impossible.
 
Besides, there had to be several Miss Rutledge’s out there.
 
He paced in the office for a few moments before Mrs. Downey returned with the woman who captured his heart last Season.
  
What was Miss Rutledge doing here, of all places?

He knew the answer before he could finish his own question. Miss Rutledge had been betrothed to Herbert Vickery, future earl and reprobate, who publicly humiliated her when he ended their betrothal because he would not be associated with a family such as hers. She was lucky to have escaped being married to that gentleman.
 
On top of it all, her father had disappeared, leaving Miss Rutledge to face society on her own without a shilling to her name.
 
She was gone before he could help her.

No wonder she came here to find employment. Miss Rutledge was ruined in London, which was entirely unfair.
 
She was simply a victim of circumstances.
 
She would also be perfect for the Fairfield children.
Perfect for him.

Miss Rutledge offered a quick curtsey. “Lord Winters.”

“Miss Rutledge, it is lovely to see you again.”
 
She looked more beautiful than the last time he’d seen her in London. Her hair was just as golden and her eyes, still the deepest, richest brown.
 
Why couldn’t he have met her before Vickery? If all had gone well, she would have been betrothed to him instead of that scoundrel. He wouldn’t have cried off because of her father. In all likelihood, they would have been married.

“The two of you know each other?”
 
Mrs. Downey questioned.

“I had the honor of dancing with Miss Rutledge last Season.”
 

“Do you approve of Miss Rutledge for the position or would you like me to find someone else?”

Miss Rutledge’s eyes darted between Mrs. Downey and Alec. Her teeth worried her bottom lip. The poor thing probably feared not obtaining the position because of her past.
 
Or maybe because of what they’d once shared.
 
Fairfield knew nothing of the woman’s circumstances, and why should Miss Rutledge be made to suffer any further because of her father? If only she hadn’t run off. But now was the perfect time to rectify the matter.
 
Either Fairfield would end up with a governess or Alec would find the lady who would make his life complete.
 
Only time would tell.

“Miss Rutledge is perfect.”

The young lady relaxed and smiled gently, her eyes downcast.
 
She had probably been worried about what the future held for her for the past nine months.

“I would like Miss Rutledge to join me in Willanton in a week, and then I will make the proper introductions.”

* * *

Audrey remained in the office after Lord Winters left and willed her hands to stop trembling.
 
At first she’d hoped he didn’t recognize her and then feared he would reject her.
 
She couldn’t believe he actually hired her.
 
Winters had hardly changed. His hair was still auburn, thick and wavy, but it was his deep blue eyes that had always held her attention.