Protected by The Companion Rose Pearson All Chapter
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PROTECTED BY THE COMPANION: A
REGENCY ROMANCE
LADIES ON THEIR OWN: GOVERNESSES AND
COMPANIONS (BOOK 5)
ROSE PEARSON
CONTENTS
My Dear Reader
(Book 5
By
Rose Pearson
© Copyright 2022 by Rose Pearson - All rights reserved.
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G iles scowled, threaded his fingers into his hair, and dropped his
elbows onto the large, polished desk in front of him. Having forced
himself to rise about an hour earlier, he had not yet broken his fast
but had chosen instead to come to the study to look through his
correspondence. In the depths of his heart, he knew that this was
something which he was doing simply to avoid meeting his niece and
her companion, but as yet, it appeared to be working. There was a
great deal of correspondence, and should he decide to respond to
everybody who had written to him, then he could be in his study for
a good part of the day.
And then all that is required is to sit to dinner before we take
our leave for the evening.
Having behaved entirely selfishly the previous evening, Giles
now found himself with a painful headache and a severe weight of
guilt resting upon his heart. Yes, he knew that he ought to have
remained at home to greet his niece and her companion, but he had
been quite unwilling to give up the dinner invitation which Lady
Waterston had offered him. It had been an intimate dinner and he
had enjoyed her company, although he would have much preferred
if the other two gentlemen and ladies had been absent.
Lord Waterston was not yet back from the continent, and Lady
Waterston had declared on more than one occasion just how much
she was missing fine company. The spark in her eye and the
knowing smile had left him with no question about what it was that
she wanted from him, but as yet, he was not willing to give it. From
what he knew of the lady, Giles was concerned that any affection
shared between them would not be kept solely between themselves
- and he had also heard that the lady was somewhat clinging. It had
been an enjoyable evening, but certainly not one that he wanted to
continue any further.
A tap at the door alerted him to the butler’s presence and with a
heavy sigh, he lifted his attention from his correspondence.
“Yes?”
Much to his astonishment, it was not the butler who stepped
into the room. Rather, there appeared a young lady, with blonde hair
pulled back into a delicate chignon and piercing blue eyes which
fixed themselves straight to his.
“Uncle.” Following a quick curtsey, she walked directly into the
room, leaving the door to close behind her. “I thought it best to
come and greet you directly, as I am aware that you are very busy
this morning. Your butler told me that we could not expect to see
you before dinner, but I was not willing to wait that long.”
She did not smile, and for whatever reason, Giles found himself
a little concerned about her presence. For the first time, he realized
that his niece would be corresponding with her mother and father,
and would report his behavior to them directly. If he failed in his
duties, having already offered to take his niece on, then there might
well be hard words from his sister - and surely she had suffered
injury enough already, with the ill health of her husband.
“Good morning, Juliet.” Rising from his chair, Giles went around
the desk to greet his niece. “I am sorry that I was unable to be
present yesterday. I had a pressing engagement which could not be
missed.”
Juliet's blue eyes flickered.
“There must have been a great importance to this dinner and
the ball thereafter, Uncle, since it took precedence over my arrival.”
A slightly cool smile pulled at her lips. “You can imagine my
disappointment.” Giles harrumphed quietly, having never expected to
hear such a thing from his niece. Even though he had never met his
niece, Giles had always believed her to be a quiet sort of girl and
had not thought that he would hear such determined words from
her. “We had a comfortable evening and night, however.” Juliet lifted
her chin, never once shifting her gaze from his face. “I should inform
you that I have moved my companion from the bedchamber you had
designated for her to one that is much more suitable.”
Giles blinked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I have removed her from the bedchamber which was set aside
for her and placed her in a room closer to my own. You are aware,
Uncle, that she is a companion and not a governess? Not a lady’s
maid?” Astonishment tied a knot in his tongue. “The bedchamber
was most unsuitable. She is the daughter of a Baron and should be
treated as such, do you not think?”
“I do not believe that I have been considering her in any other
way.”
A cold hand tightened around his neck at the cool smile which
spread across his niece’s face.
“Then why, might I ask, did you place her in such a dingy
bedchamber, when there are plenty of perfectly suitable
bedchambers available in your house?” Lady Juliet’s hands went to
her hips, and one eyebrow arched questioningly. Rather than have
an answer ready for her, Giles found himself quite astonished. He
was not angry nor upset, but rather utterly amazed that this slip of a
girl thought she could speak to him in such a manner. Worse, that
she could step into his house and undermine his authority in such a
way! “I believe that Mama has made it perfectly clear to you just
how much Miss Lawder means to us.” Before he could even begin to
form an answer, Lady Juliet was speaking again, perhaps seeing a
flicker of anger in his eyes. “Her father thinks very little of her. She is
considered nothing more than a burden to him, even though, by
rights, she ought to be a lady in amongst society as I am. She
arrived with us very soon after father became ill. Mother thought
that I might gain relief and companionship during what was a
terribly difficult time, but Miss Lawder has brought both Mother, and
myself, a great deal of comfort.” Lady Juliet shook her head and
sighed, finally dropping her gaze from his. “Did you know that her
father, Baron Wakefield, has made certain that any money she
makes is sent directly to him? I do not think that Miss Lawder has a
penny of her own and, of course, she can do nothing about it, for it
is her father’s prerogative to do as he sees fit. For someone who has
been treated so cruelly by her own flesh and blood, I think that we
must do that we can, to show her as much generosity as possible.
As I have just stated, she has become very dear to both myself and
my mother in such a short while.”
Giles drew in a deep breath, his emotions all of a confusion.
“You are certainly rather forthright, Lady Juliet.”
And most able to make me feel very guilty indeed over my
choice of bedchamber for the lady which, in itself, is a very small
thing indeed.
A hint of a smile danced around Lady Juliet’s lips.
“I believe that I am much like my mother, Uncle.”
Despite his frustration, a laugh escaped from the corner of his
mouth.
“In that I believe you are quite right, Lady Juliet. My sister was
always stubborn and determined, and it appears that you may also
have that trait. I do not know how your father survives with both of
you in his house!”
Lady Juliet’s smile lingered.
“I believe that my father would prefer me to be forthright and
blunt, rather than shy and retiring.”
I cannot imagine why.
“You have made your point quite clearly. I confess that I did not
think of Miss Lawder’s social standing when I gave her that
bedchamber.”
Seeing his niece’s eyebrows lift, he spread his hands and
shrugged, thinking that would be enough of an explanation.
“You sought to keep her from society rather than encourage her
to join with it. And that even before you were introduced to her.”
Guilt reared its ugly head in Giles’ heart, but he ignored it with
an effort. Shrugging, he turned away from his niece and picked up
his brandy glass, which was unfortunately empty.
“You forget, Lady Juliet, that I have no knowledge of
companions. I have no experience with such creatures either. I was
only doing as I thought best.”
A small yet triumphant smile caught the edge of Lady Juliet’s
mouth.
“I quite understand, Uncle. I am glad that you are willing to
accept the change in circumstances.”
It is not as though I have any opportunity to refuse it.
“Indeed.” Forcing a smile, Giles gestured to the door. “As you
yourself have said, I am very busy this morning. I fear I shall not
see you again until we dine this evening.”
Much to his frustration, however, Lady Juliet did not move.
“And is there any entertainment for us this evening? Or are you
again to go into society without us?”
This is going to be more difficult than I had anticipated.
“I have nothing planned for this evening as I was certain you
would both require some time to rest and recover after your long
journey to London.”
“How very considerate.” Lady Juliet’s smile was a little fierce.
“Then tomorrow, I assume? I am very much looking forward to
entering society. You do recall that I am to be presented tomorrow
afternoon?”
His mind spinning frantically, Giles gave her a swift nod.
“Yes, tomorrow afternoon, of course. Thereafter, there are many
things I have planned for you and for your companion.”
This was of course a complete mistruth, for Giles had no
invitations secured, nor had he made any plans of his own.
“I am delighted to hear it.” With a smile, Lady Juliet finally
turned towards the door, leaving Giles to breathe out a sigh of relief.
“I shall inform Miss Lawder at once. You have not met her as yet,
have you?”
Giles shook his head.
“No, that pleasure is still to come, and shall happen this
evening.”
Lady Juliet smiled and left him without another word. Giles
dropped his head forward, letting out a sigh of frustration as he did
so.
Now I must find some sort of entertainment for my niece and
her companion for tomorrow night.
For whatever reason, it had not occurred to him that his niece
would require company and entertainment upon her arrival to
London, although he had, at the very least, remembered that she
was to be presented. He had spoken of her presence in London to
no-one, perhaps out of a mistaken hope that the situation might
never take place. In the back of his mind had been the prayer that
Lady Juliet’s father would recover in time for them all come to
London.
“It appears that I have been a little foolish.”
Straightening, Giles turned back to his desk, continuing to
mutter to himself. Picking up his quill, he found that no inspiration
came to him as he prepared to continue with his correspondence.
His thoughts were centered solely on his niece. The last thing he had
expected was to see her so fiery and filled with determination. And
yet, that stubborn trait was a part of his family, and now that he
thought of it, had he not seen it in his own sister many years ago?
Her companion will have much to do to improve her. Lady Juliet
must be shown how to behave and speak appropriately in society.
Dropping his quill, Giles went in search of his empty brandy glass.
The Season stretched out in front of him, no longer filled with joys
and delights, but rather with struggle and strain. He was not to have
the enjoyment he had relished for so many years. Instead, there
was responsibility and burden and Giles wished with every fiber of
his being that he had never agreed to sponsor his niece into society
in the first place.
“GOOD EVENING,
UNCLE.”
Choosing to remain unsmiling, Giles rose from his chair.
“Good evening. It is good of you to finally join me for dinner.”
With a lifted eyebrow, he gestured to the empty chair at the other
end of the table. “It has been at least five minutes since the dinner
gong sounded.”
“Thank you for your patience.” Juliet’s smile was sweet but
there was no brightness in her eyes. “I confess that I was a little
tardy due to a slight tear in my gown. Miss Lawder was quick to fix
it, however, so we are only a few minutes late.” Giles nodded, his
smile tight, as tension began to flood the space between them. They
had only been in each other’s company for a very short while, and
yet it seemed that this unsettling feeling only grew with every
meeting. Perhaps I have upset her by being so inconsiderate – in her
eyes – towards her companion! “You have not yet been introduced
to Miss Lawder.”
“No, indeed I have not.”
Finally pulling his attention away from Lady Juliet, Giles looked
to the young lady standing behind his niece.
“Uncle, this is Miss Emma Lawder. Miss Lawder, this is my uncle,
the Earl of Bargrave.” Lady Juliet smiled. “I should also have
informed you that Miss Lawder is the daughter of Baron Wakefield.”
A slightly knowing smile crept into her eyes as she studied him,
sending another stab of guilt into Giles’ heat.
“Good evening, Miss Lawder.” As the lady stepped into the
candlelight a little more, Giles blinked in surprise. This was not the
picture he had formed in his mind of his niece’s companion. He had
thought that she would have been a good deal older, and perhaps
even a slightly wrinkled creature with much of life behind her. He
had assumed that her father had sent her to be a companion due to
her age – but this willowy young lady could only be, at most, a few
years older than Lady Juliet! Clearing his throat, Giles dropped into a
bow. “I am very glad to meet you.”
“Good evening, Lord Bargrave.” The brown-haired young lady
smiled softly and dropped into an elegant curtsey. “I know that Lady
Juliet is glad indeed to be in London at long last. I will, of course, do
all that I can to support her as she traverses society with your
guidance and patronage. I thank you also for your generosity in
permitting me to reside here for the Season, in what is such a lovely
house.”
Giles did not miss the way Juliet’s eyes lit up at this remark.
Was that particular comment meant to be a comment on the
bedchamber I first gave her?
Shrugging inwardly, he returned to his chair, thinking that it
would be best to leave the conversation where it was at present.
“Come now, the food will be getting cold if we do not sit to eat
together.”
Waiting for the ladies to take their seats, he snapped his fingers
before sitting down himself and, within seconds, the foot was
served.
“It is very exciting that Lady Juliet will be presented tomorrow.”
Giles cleared his throat.
“Yes, indeed, most exciting.”
Another glance towards the companion told him that she and
Lady Juliet were sharing a secret smile. Had they already planned
what they were to converse about? Was there to be an attempt to
pile guilt upon his shoulders?
“What is it that you have planned for Lady Juliet tomorrow
evening, might I ask?”
Miss Lawder sent a warm smile in Giles’ direction, but it only
caused his brows to lower all the more.
This is my niece’s doing. She does not believe that I have made
any plans for her whatsoever.
“You need not concern yourself with my intentions for Lady
Juliet, Miss Lawder. I am more than capable.” The smile on Miss
Lawder’s face quickly dropped, and Giles looked away, clearing his
throat for what was the second time. “I shall inform you tomorrow,
Lady Juliet, about what we are to attend and when we are leaving. I
will make sure to give you enough time to prepare.”
Lady Juliet’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked straight at
him, her fork clasped in one hand.
“Miss Lawder was only asking, Uncle. And as my companion, it
is her role to be present at most events which I attend, to chaperone
me when you are not immediately available. Is there any need for
such secrecy?”
“I am not being secretive in the slightest. I simply do not need
to be questioned as to whether or not I am able to care for my
niece.”
Miss Lawder blinked rapidly and for a moment, and Giles
thought that she would drop her head and press a napkin to her
eyes. It was not his intention to upset her, of course, but rather that
he wanted to make it quite plain that he was able to take care of his
niece and her requirements without any additional support from a
companion. Then Miss Lawder lifted her head.
“You mistake my intentions, Lord Bargrave. I am not
questioning you, nor am I in anyway suggesting that you are
inadequate. Quite frankly, my Lord, I am a little surprised at such a
reaction.”
Her eyes were clear as they met his for a long moment, leaving
Giles without an answer.
I have reacted badly to the lady, simply because of my niece.
His conscience pricked him, and he opened his mouth to apologize,
only for Lady Juliet to begin a conversation with her companion
which excluded him entirely. Grimacing, Giles picked up his fork and
began to eat. His relationship with his niece was going to be more
difficult to navigate than he had expected, and now he had the
companion to deal with also.
I have two feisty, forthright young ladies residing under my roof.
His scowl grew as he jabbed his fork into the meat on his plate.
This, I fear, will be one of the least enjoyable Seasons that I have
ever known… and it is all my own fault.
CHAPTER THREE
Language: French
DE
H. DE BALZAC
LA
COMÉDIE HUMAINE
QUATORZIÈME VOLUME
DEUXIÈME PARTIE
ÉTUDES PHILOSOPHIQUES
PARIS.—IMPRIMERIE DE PILLET FILS AINÉ
RUE DES GRANDS-AUGUSTINS, 5.
IMP. S RAÇON
LE MARCHAND DE CURIOSITÉS.
Une barbe grise et taillée en pointe
cachait le menton de cet être bizarre.
ÉTUDES
PHILOSOPHIQUES
TOME I
La Peau de chagrin
Jésus-Christ en Flandre. — Melmoth réconcilié. — Le Chef-
d’œuvre inconnu. — La Recherche de l’absolu.
PARIS
V e AL E XA NDRE HO USSIAUX, ÉD IT EUR
RUE DU JARDINET SAINT-ANDRÉ DES ARTS, 3.
1870
ÉTUDES
P H I L OS OP H I QU E S.
LA PEAU DE CHAGRIN.
A MONSIEUR SAVARY,
MEMBRE DE L’ACADÉMIE DES SCIENCES.
LE TALISMAN.