A Governess for the faithless Duke (Regency Romance) (Regency Tales Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

Eliza, you can find the courage to approach His Grace.”
    When Charlotte looked at her, scandalised by the comparison she made, Mrs Thomson added, “I have known the Duke both as a boy and a man. He is a much nicer gentleman than some may suppose.”
    Still, Charlotte did not visit the Duke after tea. Instead, she went to her room and looked over her wardrobe. She concluded that in a pinch she could wear the grey to town for the fair. It was the oldest of her gowns, and should she be able to purchase cloth for a new one, it would replace the grey. Satisfied with her decision, she settled into the armchair she had placed by the window and let her gaze wander over the view. Recalling the conversation she had heard among the three women in the garden, she wondered who was more fair in their judgment of the Duke. Was he really the rakish gentleman that they made him out to be, or was he a kinder man? And in the end, did it matter? She had no hope of any association with him, whatever his reputation might be, however well- or ill-earned it was.
    A knock interrupted her thoughts and she went to see who it was. A housemaid had brought her a letter.
    “Thank you, Alice,” she said, smiling at the girl, who nodded and withdrew.
    The missive was from her sister Amelia. She opened it with trembling fingers.
     
    My dearest sister,
    We were all pleased to receive your letter, and are heartened that you are in good spirits and good health. Mama and Papa were gloomy until your letter came, and now they are most lively and cheerful. I have also been immensely cheered by your words.
    We are all certain that, despite the challenges that Eliza presents, you will find a way to overcome them. You always were the resourceful one, Charlie.
    Aunt Anne and I will be traveling to Elgin Bottom for a few days to pay you a visit. We will arrive in a week’s time, and hope that you will be able to visit with us then. Mama is sending me with a bolt of cloth for you to make a new gown. She had been saving it for you, and imagines that you will need it eventually. Papa will send you another of the books you love to read from his shelf. And I have finished the embroidery that you started, I shall bring it for you to see, as well as some new yarn for you to work on.
    We will be residing at the Bird and Bottle Inn in Elgin Bottom, and hope you will be able to visit with us when we arrive. I am most excited to see you again, sister dear, and look forward to all your news.
    Yours sincerely,
    Amelia
     
    Charlotte could not keep the happy smile off her face. She could put off meeting with the Duke about her wages a little longer, and she would have the pleasure of enjoying the fair not just with her newfound friend Mrs Thomson, but also with her family.
    The next day being Saturday, she was pleased to share her good news with the housekeeper as they again sat down to tea. Mrs Thomson declared herself excited at the prospect of meeting a younger version of her guest, which made Charlotte smile shyly.
    “No doubt you will find Amelia a far more interesting person than I am, Mrs Thomson,” she said. “And prettier, to be sure.”
    The housekeeper chuckled merrily. It was a pleasing sound coming from the usually grave lady, who rarely smiled, even when she was feeling most at ease. The act transformed her face into the most pleasant lines.
    “If she is prettier than you are, my dear, it is a good thing she does not work in Marbleton House! The poor young lads here would be quite unable to complete their tasks. Mr Milton would have to knock heads a little more often..”
    Charlotte blushed, understanding the implication behind the words and appreciated the compliment, even if it had come in through the back door, so to speak. She wondered if Mrs Thomson had a husband, though she couldn’t imagine it to be possible, given her constant residence at Marbleton House. A quiet knock interrupted her thoughts, and at the housekeeper’s equally soft “Enter!” Mr