She waited for him to explain, but he did not. Instead, he just watched her, his hazel eyes glinting with flickers of steel.
“Rather than sitting silently, might you be willing to explain to me what you meant?” she exclaimed, once more allowing her frustration to rise up within her as she struggled to hold it back. “I do not like to play guessing games when it comes to something as important as your nephew!”
“And that, Miss Trean, is where the difference is.” Deciding that it was not worth her responding with any further questions, Albina retreated into silence, inwardly scolding herself for not being able to restrain her fiery temper. “You have come to care for my nephew already, even though you have been here less than a sennight.”
“That is true.”
“And he has not told you anything about why he has come here.”
“For the second time, no, he has not.”
The sharpness in her tone could not be hidden, but Albina was exasperated. Lord Addenbrook appeared to be intent on only asking questions but choosing not to answer them.
“I see.” He tilted his head and his brown hair slipped over to one side of his head. “You are a most unusual governess, Miss Trean.”
Her chin lifted.
“If you mean that I am a little bolder than most then I shall accept that.”
The fear that he would remove her from her position faded away as she looked back steadily into his face. There was not anger there, but instead a flickering interest which glinted in his eyes. He tapped one finger repeatedly on the desk in front of him as he surveyed her
“My butler tells me that Henry has taken to you very well indeed and for that, I am glad.” Clearing his throat, he rose from the desk and then came around beside her. “Please, sit down Miss Trean.”
A little surprised, Albina blinked rapidly, then half turned to see him gesturing to two seats opposite each other. Her heart quickened. She had never been alone with a gentleman in such a way before and her instincts told her that all was not well. Ever since she had been a young girl, it had been made quite clear that she was never to sit down with a gentleman, to converse with a gentleman, or to walk out alone with a gentleman for the sake of propriety. And now Lord Addenbrook was asking her to do that very thing.
But I am not here as Lady Albina. I am here as Miss Trean, the governess.
She took in a breath and turned, sitting down as he had asked her, but the nervous anxiety which was rattling in her chest did not fade. As Lord Addenbrook sat down opposite, a shiver ran straight down her back at the intensity of his gaze. It lingered on her face and Albina had to fold her hands in her lap so that she would not push herself out of the chair and leave the room.
“You laid something of an accusation at my feet yesterday, Miss Trean.”
Another shiver ran across her skin.
“An accusation?” Her voice was not light but rather a little tremulous. “I do not think –”
“You have made it quite plain that I am not as you think I ought to be with my nephew. No doubt my servants have informed you that I told them all to keep Henry away from me as best they could.” When she did not respond, his jaw tightened, and he looked away. “I will not pretend that I did not do such a thing, Miss Trean. The truth is, I do not want Henry here, but I have not been given any other choice. He is now under my care, and I must endure his presence here until he is ready to go to Eton.”
Albina’s stomach turned over on itself, her fear that he might attempt to take advantage of her quickly fading. Her shoulders dropped as tension ran straight out of her fingers and onto the floor and the worry which had lined her features was now quickly replaced with a frown. Lord Addenbrook continued speaking, seemingly oblivious to her reactions.
“You think this very poor of me. I can see it in your features.” Opening her mouth to say that yes, shedidthink this to be poor of him, given that Henry now appeared to have no mother or father of his own, Albina was then forced to snap her mouth shut when Lord Addenbrook continued regardless. “I have no time for children, Miss Trean. That is the very reason that you were hired. I do not wish to be interrupted by him, I do not want to be disturbed by his unruly behavior and I certainly do not want to see him when he is making the most appalling noise. That child is disorderly and must be given a firm hand.”
“I shall disagree with you there, Lord Addenbrook.” Despite telling herself inwardly that she needed to behave with submissiveness and appear nothing but humble before Lord Addenbrook, Albina could not help but speak. It was in the defense of Henry, after all, and she would not permit Lord Addenbrook to be harsh towards a little boy who needed nothing more than a kind word from him to behave in a much more appropriate fashion. “One thing I have learned is that children, whilst requiring discipline, also require to be loved. To be shown kindness and consideration, to be listened to, and to enjoy each day. Henry is about to start his letters today and I am certain that he shall do very well, simply because he knows that I do care for him a great deal already.” She spread her hands, lifting both of her shoulders. “I do not know why he resides with you rather than with his own parents, but Idoknow that he feels lost, afraid, and alone.”
“He does not reside with his parents because one has passed from this earth and the other has disappeared.” Albina’s heart slammed against her chest. Shock ran like ice through her veins, and she could not speak. “His mother passed away some years ago, only a few months after Henry was born.” Lord Addenbrook spoke in clipped tones and without the smallest hint of emotion. “My brother did not remarry. In the years that followed, I believe he spent a good deal of time with Henry and was very fond of his son. A little over three months ago, my brother and Henry were due to come here to stay for a prolonged visit. When the carriage arrived, only Henry was inside.” He blinked and looked away, clearly pushing back any flicker of emotion. “When I stepped out to greet them, I noticed that both the coachman and the footman were gone, which was most unusual. When my footman opened the carriage door, there was no sign of my brother – and Henry was asleep on the floor.” Albina did not know what to say. The shock of hearing such a thing from him stole her ability to respond, leaving her mute with astonishment. When Lord Addenbrook glanced back at her, his expression was hard and cold. “Whenever I am in company with Henry, it reminds me of just how little I have managed to achieve in finding my brother.”
Struggling to order her thoughts, Albina took in a long breath and attempted to nod.
“I am certain that you are doing all you can.”
A hard laugh ripped from Lord Addenbrook’s throat, but Albina did not understand the reasons for it – and Lord Addenbrook himself did not explain.
“You may return to your charge now, Miss Trean.” He rose and Albina quickly followed suit, finding that her legs were a trifle wobbly. “I wanted you to be aware of the current situation so that, should Henry say anything to you about the matter, you will be able to respond with understanding.”
Albina spread her hands.
“That is most considerate of you, Lord Addenbrook.” She might not agree that his absence from the child’s company was the best thing for both himself and Henry, but at least now she understood why. “I do hope that further inquiries bring you answers.”
She said nothing more, but left the room with all swiftness, closing the door tightly behind her. Before she made her way to the schoolroom, however, she took just a few moments to gather herself. Her eyes closed and she put one hand out against the wall for support, pain rifling through her as she thought of all that young Henry had endured – and all that he had lost.