Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 14 continued:
Sitting together at their evening meal, Carly was intensely quiet after having seen her master’s state of undress earlier this morning. Finding herself unable to speak, she ate in silence.
Creighton sensed Lady Blakemore’s distress and figured it was because of what she saw of him this morning. But he only found it amusing.
He enjoyed working the land, just as his fathers before him, alongside his tenants. This teamwork had always engendered a trust that seemed to only strengthen relationships through each generation. Some of the neighboring peerage, especially Lord Pembrooke, were outspoken over such vulgarity, annoyed with his arrogance of lowering oneself to such levels, but Creighton had always done what he pleased regardless of anyone’s opinion.
Finally, he said, “Did you enjoy your ride this morning, my lady?” Smiling at her immediate discomfort, he fought back his feelings of guilt for making her so shy.
Shades of crimson crept up her throat while she stammered, “I…I did, my lord.” However, she would not make eye contact with him. No. For she knew as soon as she did, all she would again see in her mind’s eye was his nakedness. Oh dear, there it was! Insistent in its presence, precisely what she was fighting to sponge from her mind, Lord Huntington invaded in all his glory. Nearly choking on her meal, Carly tried, in vain, to stop her rogue thoughts. Certainly her mother would scold her if only she knew.
“You have enjoyed the surrounding countryside, have you not?”
Carly coughed, choking yet again upon hearing his deep voice, insisting upon conversation with her. Would he not shut up? Taking a sip of water and clearing her throat, she calmly answered, “Yes, my lord.” Still avoiding eye contact, she concentrated upon her meal as best she could. “Mrs. Cooper has made a delicious meatloaf tonight,” she added, expertly guiding the topic away from dangerous ground.
But Creighton would not take her bait. He had other things to discuss. “Where was your escort, may I ask?”
All nakedness forgotten, Carly’s eyes grew wide as she realized her blunder. “Oh dear. I did forget again, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” he frowned. “Please do not forget again.”
“Yes, of course, my lord.” Her eyes went back to her meal.
He could have such fun with her. He knew of her discomfort. No. He would not let this pass. Too enjoyable to watch her squirm. He was a rake. After tearing a large chunk from the freshly baked bread and enjoying it for a moment, he said, “I believe you caught me off my guard today.” His pleasure was instantaneous, for she was blushing while trying to calm her falling utensils. If he were to share the laughter that was bubbling up inside, the entire room would be booming with noise. But he would not. The quiet worked much better upon her nerves. He nearly smiled.
After gaining control of her fork, Carly could only stare at her master, her face flushing brilliantly. She felt like a fool. Could she not control herself?
Bewitched, he continued his play with her, “I am often found in such a state, for I fear I have no manners, something my mother has given up on long ago.”
Was he smirking?
She was sure of it.
“I have shocked you, I see. Unfortunately for you, I am sure it will not be the last time I am found in such a state. You must allow me to apologize in advance for my ungentlemanly ways.”
His roguish smile annoyed Carly, brought to her some anger for which she could grasp hold of her misguided thoughts. She quickly recovered by saying, “My lord, you revel in my discomfort, I believe. I would ask that you at least try to remember that I am present.”
Mischievously grinning at her still, he said, “Oh…I am well aware of your presence, my lady. I promise you that.”
As her face grew warm again, so did her irritation. “Please, sir! Do not tease!”
“Who says I am teasing?”
That lopsided grin of his was distracting…
She was mortified that he rattled her so easily. “I am not as naïve as you think me.”
Squinting his eyes in thought, he said, “That is debatable.” He smiled his devilish grin, adding, “But I must say I do enjoy it.” Taking another bite of his meal, he relished in the conversation, in her discomfort, in the debate. It had been some time…
“I also enjoy crossing words with you. You have quite a temper.”
“You purposely mean to aggravate me, my lord,” she fumed.
“It can be quite entertaining,” he chuckled, taking a long drink from his wine glass, intent upon watching her fidget.
“You are insufferable!” Carly threw her napkin upon the table, frustration apparent.
“Many would agree,” he simply stated.
She must endeavor to control her temper better, she thought. “This cannot be who you really are?”
“Really. And why not, pray tell?”
Compelled to speak honestly, she said, “I have seen more from you, my lord.” She had seen kindness and caring, gentleness and sensitivity.
Suddenly uncomfortable with where she was going with their conversation, he harshly said, “And you think I care?”
“Do you not, sir?”
Sighing heavily in exasperation, his fun come to an abrupt end, Creighton said, “Lady Blakemore, you must know that I do, of course. Let us be friends, shall we not?”
Hesitating briefly, Carly said, “Well… Yes. We must…for the children’s sake, at least.”
“And what of ours?”
“What? Well, yes, of course, I suppose. Oh! I don’t know! You always seem to vex me. It is most infuriating.”
“At least you are a very honest person, I must say.”
“I have no reason not to be. Would you prefer lies?”
Thinking back on a marriage full of lies and treacheries, he grumbled, “I have had my fill of lies to last a lifetime. No. I find your honesty…refreshing…stimulating.”
Again, Carly began to squirm from his penetrating gaze. Focusing her attention upon her meal, she tried to think of something to say in response, but she could not.
“You find intimate conversation disturbing, Lady Blakemore?”
“With you, of course.”
“You have been in social settings, I gather, Lady Blakemore. Yet you seem…unprepared to discuss life with the opposite sex. Why is that?”
“Simple, my lord. No one has ever spoken to me as familiarly as you have.” She was growing more upset by the minute. “Furthermore, I have never seen any other gentleman half-naked…” abruptly cutting off, she gasped, blushing freely, feeling angrier at having blurted out such delicate subject matter. “Oh, bother!” Indignantly, Carly folded her arms angrily across her chest. Pouting, she quickly hiccupped. She rolled her eyes in complete and utter annoyance, disgusted with herself.
Unexpectedly, Creighton chuckled at her embarrassment. He said, “Come, come, my lady, do you not know how to tease but a little? Surely, you must realize that I goad you? You are much too easily upset by my taunting words.”
Quietly standing, Creighton leaned over the table in order to speak closely to her. Carly sat back in her chair, upset by his nearness. Whispering his carefully chosen words, he breathed, “You are rather enchanting, my dear.”
Standing uprightly again, he pulled his jacket firmly, smiling beguilingly down upon her.
He left her alone to contemplate his stirring words as he exited the dining room, apparently finished with his meal.
This makes me laugh! ;) I love Carly's nervousness, and yet, I can completely relate. And Creighton is a complete rake! Tell me what you think?
Thanks for reading with me today. Join me on Monday for more.
Ellise
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