The Duke’s Forbidden Governess (Preview)

The nursery was in complete chaos. 

As Henry Langley, the Duke of Devonshire, stood outside the almost undone nursery of his niece, Baby Eleanor, he was caught up with a familiar feeling of melancholy that had gripped him and the household for three months now. When his darling younger sister had found out she was with child, Henry had ordered a nursery to be made in his manor house so whenever she came to visit and stay with him, the child would have somewhere to stay. 

But now, none of that mattered. 

The pastel green paint he had lovingly selected was lazily spread over the left wall, already chipping apart. The furniture lay about the large room, stacked one over the other. The toys were still packed away in trunks, unable to find their place in those awful conditions. And all Henry could hear was the incessant crying of an infant from the other room.

Eleanor, just three months old, was always crying. 

He quickly walked out of the nursery, closing the door behind him, and made his way to his sister Amelia’s room, just beside the nursery. He opened the door slightly, the scene no different from what he had seen a thousand times before today. As he strode inside, shivering as the winter breeze swept inside the room with the tall window slightly ajar, all he could notice was the lifeless form of his sister, crumpled under a mound of covers. 

“Amelia?” he called out to her gently, softly brushing her brown hair with his fingers, but she remained motionless. 

“She won’t wake up, Your Grace,” the harried-looking lady’s maid said, continuing to soothe Eleanor unsuccessfully. Despite all the efforts of the poor woman, the child simply went on crying and crying, refusing to quieten for even one second. Henry almost wondered how his sister could even sleep in such circumstances, in the midst of her own daughter going through such a painful episode. 

But after what Amelia had gone through in these past months, he knew it was only justified. 

“How long has she been asleep?” Henry asked the lady’s maid, who was pacing from left to right, trying to bring Eleanor some amount of comfort. 

“Hours, Your Grace,” the maid sighed, running her bony hand over Eleanor’s head. “You know how she is these days. She sleeps for the entire day at times without waking up even once.” 

He knew. He knew all of it. 

“What is the matter with Eleanor? Why would she not stop crying?” he asked, once again trying to understand his niece’s troubles, but he was no expert. 

Unfortunately, no one in the household was. Everyone had tried to take care of the little girl but to no avail, as she never found comfort in anyone’s arms. The only time she was not crying was when she was asleep or when, once in a while, Amelia decided to take the baby in her arms. But it was rare. Extremely so. Amelia was not ready to care for Eleanor, not so soon after the accident that had ruined both of their lives completely. As much as Henry understood his sister’s grief, he did not know what to do for his niece, who just needed her mother. 

“I wish I knew, Your Grace,” the lady’s maid sighed again, clearly on the verge of tears from exhaustion, “But she just would not stop crying. I have tried everything, but she is not even sick for me to give her any medicines. Perhaps she just needs her mother, but Lady Amelia won’t wake up. I tried.” 

Henry nodded, not knowing what to say. 

He quietly made his way outside his sister’s bedchamber, his eyes filled with tears as his heart grew heavy with discomfort and pain. Henry could not understand what to do to help this matter, his head immersed in the problems right in front of him. Both his sister and his niece needed him, but Henry was still caught up in the accident that had happened three months ago, the accident that had brought their lives to this point, halting everything. 

*** 

“Your Grace, would you like to see the paper this morning?” the butler in his London townhouse asked as Henry sipped his tea leisurely at the table. 

The warmth of May soothed him as sunlight filtered inside the dining room through the large, open windows, making the day appear bright and cosy. Henry had decided to come to London for the season to find himself a bride. Now that his younger and only sister was married to the Earl, Lord William Wentworth, his responsibilities as an older brother and her sole guardian after their parents’ death were over. He could finally focus on himself and his own prospective bride. But as of now, he had no luck. 

“I would love to,” Henry replied, taking the paper from the butler’s hands. 

As much as he enjoyed London, it did not compare one bit to his manor house in the country where he spent most of his time. His sister, having given birth just three months ago, was still in the country, and Henry was certainly looking forward to seeing her and his niece once the season was over. He missed the fresh air and the peace, his nature far well suited for the simple life back in his own world. 

He placed his cup of tea back in the saucer and opened the papers before him, his eyes falling on the small headline on the second page. His heart plummeted in his chest as he scanned the page, unable to believe what he was reading. 

Dreadful accident In The Country

On Wednesday afternoon, around two o’clock in the afternoon, Earl William Wentworth, the young heir presumptive to Lord August Wentworth, the Honourable Marquess of Wiltshire was killed in consequence of being thrown from his horse. The earl is reported to have taken an afternoon ride after lunch, whereupon it is assumed a serpent or some other foul work spooked the earl’s steed. The horse was found three kilometres from where the earl was discovered, having shockingly fractured his skull. Surgical assistance was immediately sought, and every assistance rendered, but the earl still expired. The deceased was just six and twenty years of age, having been wed for three years to Lady Amelia Wentworth. He has left behind his grief-stricken young wife and a daughter of just three months. His family is rightfully stunned and in mourning, as is everyone else who loved his kind nature and gentle heart. This is a great loss for all nobility, and Lord William Wentworth will certainly be missed.

“No,” Henry whispered, the word turning into a scream, which remained caught up his throat. 

The accident had occurred just yesterday, and his sister must certainly not be in any condition to write to him about it. Even if anyone had written, the post would be arriving just now, which was why he had not found out about it from someone in the country. The entire nobility was in London. And he hardly had any friends. 

Amelia is alone. I must get to her at once. 

In the three years William had been married to Amelia, the two men had managed to form an excellent bond even if they were not the greatest of friends. Despite that, in his hurry to get to his sister and comfort her, Henry did not know how to find time to nurse his own grief. He sent his valet packing and ordered the carriage to be readied for the journey. The entire ride was filled with worry, his heart unable to accept this terrible fate that had befallen his sister all of a sudden. He kept praying for the news to be wrong, for all of this just to be a cruel joke. 

But the moment he walked inside William’s manor house, one look at the servants was enough to tell him that the news was indeed true. A terrible accident had indeed befallen his brother-in-law, and his sister was left alone in the world. All she had now was him and Eleanor, and none of that was enough in William’s absence. The two had been a love match, and Amelia was completely in love with him. 

“Where is she?” Henry finally asked a footman as all the servants simply stood before him, staring at their feet. 

“In her bedchamber, Your Grace,” the butler replied at last, stepping forward, “Thank goodness you have arrived, Your Grace, since all of us were growing extremely worried for her lady’s health. She has been doing nothing but crying since yesterday and is refusing to allow anyone to speak about the death. She is acting as if the death has simply not happened.” 

“What do you mean? Amelia did not report the death to the news?” 

“No, Your Grace,” the butler sighed. “It was the doctor who officially announced it and asked us to inform the family as quickly as possible. Lady Amelia refuses to allow anyone to remove … to remove the master’s body from the bed. She is talking to him as if he is still alive.” 

Henry could not even imagine the grief that consumed his sister. She was clearly losing her mind because of it. 

“Take me to her. At once.”

The butler guided him up the stairs, and Henry found the courage to walk up to his sister’s bedchamber, the crying sounds already beginning to break his heart. He could hear her talking in between her constant sobbing, coupled with the sounds of baby Eleanor screaming and crying as well. Henry’s heart throbbed wildly as he tried to control the tears from flowing since he knew he needed to be strong for his sister. Her grief was far bigger than his, and he needed to be her strength in a time such as this. 

“Amelia?” he called out to her through the partially open door, and she looked up, her arms wrapped around William’s lifeless body. 

Amelia looked at him, but the emptiness in her eyes was enough to tell Henry that she had looked past him into nothingness. He was nothing but just another person for her, her mind refusing to register his presence. Baby Eleanor continued to cry in the room as a lady’s maid tended to her, but Amelia refused even to look at the little girl. Henry felt as if his world had come crashing down, watching his sister suffering in such a manner. 

“Amelia?” he trod a little further, entering the bedchamber. 

She did not reply. Henry turned to look at the butler who was right behind him, his worried gaze on Amelia’s face. 

“Are the undertakers here to take the body away?” Henry asked, a stone forming in his chest as he said the words. He could not believe he was referring to his brother-in-law as a body, the very man he had been laughing with not a month ago while he congratulated him on becoming a father. 

“Yes, Your Grace.” 

“I will keep Amelia away from William. Make sure you send the undertakers in to take William away, or it will not be easy otherwise.” 

The butler nodded, understanding what needed to be done. 

Henry finally approached the bed, his blood turning cold as he realized how pale and lifeless William appeared, his wounds cleaned up but still visible on his face. He sat down beside his sister, who finally realized Henry was there and began to cry even louder, all the words coming out of her mouth incomprehensible. Henry tied her arms around himself tightly, refusing to let go of her as he motioned to the butler, who was standing alert. 

The moment the undertakers walked inside the room, Amelia grew wild, thrashing and hitting Henry to allow him to let go of her. Both the brother and sister were thin and frail, but Henry was still stronger than her and held her away from them. She continued to cry, pleading with everyone not to take William away from her, but the undertakers quickly did their job, Amelia fainting in his arms out of utter exhaustion. 

The following week was a blur of flowers and condolences as the nobility found out about the death and came to visit Amelia. Henry had never managed to make many friends due to his shy and introverted nature, but Amelia and William were known and loved by all. Everyone showed up to greet Amelia and offered empty words of comfort, which did not matter one bit. Once the worst was over, he moved Amelia and Eleanor into his own country house so he could take care of them better, but to his concern, Amelia was only getting worse. She refused to come close to Eleanor, leaving the child to be tended by maids, and Henry could see it was not going well. 

In the span of one accident, he had lost his brother-in-law and was now on the verge of losing his only sister and niece. He did not know what to do about any of it. 

*** 

“William? William!” Henry opened his eyes, realizing he still stood outside Amelia’s bedchamber, his sister’s sudden shouting forcing him to head back inside the room. 

Amelia sat upright in bed, staring around wildly as she continued to shout her late husband’s name. Despite his presence in the room, Henry noticed how she could not see him, while Eleanor only cried harder. The lady’s maid tried to calm Amelia and make her hold Eleanor, but Amelia pushed the child away, which only upset Eleanor even more. 

“Amelia, Amelia,” Henry whispered her name, forcing her to look him in the eyes. 

“Henry?” She calmed down, realizing William was nowhere around her and Henry was sitting beside her. His heart broke as he saw the grief in her expression, realizing how pale and weak she looked due to being caught up in her bed day after day. 

“Where is William?” she asked him, tears falling down her face. 

“Oh, sister,” Henry hugged her, and she began to cry uncontrollably. 

Henry hugged her tightly, motioning the lady’s maid to bring Eleanor towards him as well, and he took the child in his arms, keeping her close to his chest. To his surprise, Eleanor calmed down slightly, only sniffling against his chest as Henry hugged Amelia to the left and Eleanor to the right. He held them close to her, but he knew things could not continue in this manner for much longer. He could not see both his sister and his niece suffer day after day. 

He had no cure for Amelia, at least nothing that would work almost immediately, but he could at least try to help his niece. She needed someone who would be able to take care of her and be a mother to her while Amelia was still recovering. Since no other maid in the household had such experience, Henry knew he would need to hire a nanny for Eleanor and make sure the nursery was in perfect condition. It was about time he started taking things into his own hands because he simply could not leave it up to fate any longer. 

It was much too late already.

Chapter Two

“Just a few more steps. Just a few more steps.” 

Clara Middleton wrapped her paisley-coloured shawl a little more tightly around her modest yellow frock, unsure of why the chill in the air was so much more pronounced already. With fall approaching, the entire country was beginning to get colder, and Clara was certainly not looking forward to the chill in the air. What was even worse was how far the Langley Estate was from the village, and she had only been able to hitch a ride as far as the village, being forced to walk up ahead. 

“My goodness,” she stopped midway, the estate in sight but still seemingly far. 

But she needed to find her strength and journey the rest of the way until she reached the manor. She had been looking for a new position as a nanny for quite some time now, but had not been successful as yet. She had worked as a nurse maid in many a household while she was younger, and had started to work as a nanny only a few years ago. She did not have the expertise or the education to be a governess, so becoming a nanny was her only chance of finding work and earning a living for herself.

When all avenues and doors had seemed to close up on her, she had found out how the duke’s family was looking for a nanny to tend to the duke’s niece. It was true she still did not have much hope, but this position happened to be her last resort. 

“But why would they hire me,” she said aloud on the deserted road, sure that no one was going to hear her, “God, please let them hire me. I have taken a huge risk in coming all the way here for this interview so please do not let this opportunity be snatched away from me. That is all I ask for.” 

That did nothing to boost her confidence. After all, she was rather young with limited experience, and only had two references coming from noble families. If barons and earls had refused to hire her based on her limited scope of experience, why would a duke consider doing so? She was sure she was going to be rudely turned away, but she could not give up trying. Knocking on the large metallic gates, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, unsure of how she had managed to walk this far. 

“May I help you?” a footman asked her, and Clara quickly nodded. 

“I have been called to interview for the position of nanny in the household. My name is Clara Middleton.” 

The kind footman quickly nodded, allowing her inside the towering gates. Clara crossed the threshold and hurried ahead to reach the main doors where more stationed footmen quickly led her into the foyer, where another maid led her upstairs towards the study. The house was beautifully designed and tastefully decorated, yet something about the place appeared rather grim. Clara already knew about the tragedy that had struck the duke’s sister’s husband and the circumstances in which he had brought his sister to his house, but she had not thought for such grief to be spread all over the house. Clara sensed an awful sorrow in the air, and it troubled her. Everyone appeared forlorn.

“You can wait inside,” the maid, who had not introduced herself, said, motioning towards the closed door, “His grace has been informed of your arrival and will come to interview you himself soon.” 

“Thank you.” Clara smiled, but the maid did not smile back, dimming Clara’s spirits even further. 

Being someone who had always seen how kindness went a long way, Clara could not see a single kind face inside the manor. It seemed as if she had come to the wrong place, feeling extremely unwelcome here. She hoped the duke would be a slight improvement but did not want to expect too much unless her hopes were dashed. Forcing herself to maintain her positive attitude, Clara walked inside the study, realizing how dark the room was with all the windows shut. The few candles lit by the table illuminated the room, throwing an orange glow and making Clara feel slightly warmer. She made her way to the sofa placed on one side and sat down, calming herself. Just then, the door suddenly opened, and a young man, rather tall and thin, walked inside, his steps slow and measured. Clara could not see his face clearly in the dimly lit room but could make out the softness of his features. The man appeared calm. 

“Miss Middleton?” he turned towards her at once, his tone serious. 

“Yes, Your Grace. I am here for the interview.” 

“Please sit down.” He motioned towards the sofa, and Clara sat back down. 

She waited for him to join her, but instead, he approached the large wooden table in the centre of the room and took a seat behind the desk. The desk was piled with papers and files and all over, things so chaotically placed that Clara was afraid if even one more item was added, everything would start falling over. She wondered how long it had been since the duke had taken a look at those things since, from the look of it, it clearly appeared as if it had been months. 

“How are you doing, Miss Middleton? I hope your journey here was comfortable?” he asked as a means of making small talk, and Clara nodded. 

“It was pleasant, Your Grace.” 

He fetched a paper from inside one of the files, raking his gaze over whatever was written on it. His eyebrows furrowed, making Clara curious about what was before him. 

“Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and your other employments as a nanny? Or simply about your history in this line of work?” 

“Of course,” Clara replied happily, knowing this was fairly easy to do, “Since I was a very young girl, I accompanied my mother to the noble house she worked in and learned a lot about work. I would do everything back then, from cleaning and helping the parlour maids or helping the kitchen maids and even the scullery maids. I was still young when my mother passed, and the house my mother worked in had kind people who did not want to turn me away. Since they had children, they kept me as a nursemaid, and I became a companion to those young children. As I grew older, I left that position and worked as a nanny in two noble households. The children have grown up now, so I have been looking for a new position.”

The duke nodded, silent for several seconds. Clara wondered if he had even heard her. 

“Right, right,” he replied, his eyes far away. In the orange hues that fell on him, Clara could not help noticing how his eyes were the perfect shade of blue, which appeared like stormy waters at sunset in the orange light from the flame. She was mesmerized. 

He looked down at the paper again, as if just returning to reality. 

“How was your experience working at the other households?” 

“It was excellent, Your Grace. I have quite a talent in catering to little children and I find myself to be a perfect fit for such a position as children are immediately affectionate with me. I have perfected my skills in a lot of ways and can truly cater to a child in the best way imaginable.” 

Clara realized how even though she had stopped speaking, the duke had not registered it. His apparent distraction saddened her, wilting her spirits even further. She wondered if someone else had already been hired for the position, and this interview was just a formality so her feelings were not hurt. However, it could also be the case that the duke was simply busy and his mind occupied elsewhere, which was why he was unable to focus at all. 

If I go on in this manner, he will forget about me the moment I leave. I cannot let that happen. 

She took advantage of his lost expression and stood up from the sofa, walking silently towards the pitcher of water on the side table. She noticed how the duke did not notice her movements at all, as he remained lost in thought, and Clara knew she was right. After filling a glass with water, she quietly made her way towards the duke’s table, placing the water before him. He finally snapped out of his trance, blinking quickly to understand what had just happened. 

“What is this?” he asked, staring at the glass in front of him. 

“A glass of water for you,” she replied, smiling, “You seem as if you might need it, Your Grace.” 

“What do you mean?” he was clearly confused but definitely neither annoyed nor angry. Clara did not know what it was about him, but the calmness of his expression calmed her slightly as well. He looked like a good man who rarely lost his temper, and Clara felt entirely safe in his presence, even though she knew what she was doing could cause her to lose this chance at finding a working position. But she had no other choice. It was better to leave now than become part of an interview where her replies went unheard and unregistered. 

“You seem rather distracted, Your Grace. I reckon you must be exhausted from interviewing the number of candidates who must have shown up for the position and I do not wish to inconvenience you when you clearly need rest. We can reschedule and I can re-interview another time when you are feeling slightly better.” 

“I am distracted?” he asked, his brows etched in confusion. Clara could see he was not angry, which gave her confidence, relaxing her a little. 

“Yes, Your Grace. Pardon me for being so forward, but you were not listening to what I was saying, which gave me the impression that you might need sleep and rest. I have no desire to disturb you anymore when you are under such extreme pressure already.” 

To her surprise, he sighed deeply, shaking his head. 

Clara waited patiently, standing beside him, when he suddenly stood up from his chair, appearing much taller now that she was right beside him. His wistful blue eyes turned sharp, and the distraction, which had dominated his expression just moments earlier, disappeared entirely. Clara wondered what was going through his head and if he was going to ask her to leave for offending him. She was terrified of that outcome. 

“Please follow me, Miss Middleton.” 

Without wasting a single minute or turning around to see if she was following, the duke marched out of the study, striding towards his left. Clara followed behind him, wondering where exactly he was taking her, but she walked along silently, not wanting to question him any further lest she annoyed him. He turned a corner and stopped outside a heavy wooden door, which was left slightly ajar. Clara could finally hear the sounds of a crying child from inside the room, realizing it might be the nursery. 

“Come forward,” the duke said, his words soft. 

Clara walked forward while he opened the door fully, her eyes greeted with a room clearly a nursery yet in an unfinished condition. The pastel green paint only covered three walls, and the furniture was placed haphazardly. Several trunks were placed by the empty walls, making Clara wonder if they contained clothes and toys for the child. In the centre of the bed, a worried-looking maid was tending to the most beautiful little girl Clara had ever seen, who continued to cry. 

“This is Eleanor,” the duke told her, staring at the child, “My sister’s daughter and my niece. She is just three months old.” 

Clara hurried further inside the room, gently taking the crying child from the arms of the maid, who appeared grateful to be relieved of this responsibility. Clara rocked the baby gently, who finally stopped crying and screaming, her loud sobs turning into silent sniffles. Clara’s heart went out to the little girl who was certainly in a lot of pain and stress and needed nothing but unconditional love, support, and care. 

“Well?” the duke asked, coming to stand in front of her inside the nursery while Clara continued to soothe the child, who had finally stopped crying. 

“She is beautiful, Your Grace,” Clara sighed, smiling, “Does she cry in this manner often?” 

“Every single day.”

“And no maids in the household have tried to help her or soothe her?” Clara was stunned and extremely upset that an infant had been left to cry all alone for so long. It seemed unfair. 

“They have.” The duke nodded. Now that they were back in the light, Clara could finally see him clearly, his features making her realize how handsome he was, although sad. He seemed fragile and breakable, almost too vulnerable, which was something Clara had not seen in a lot of men. It both concerned and intrigued her, though her eyes remained on his office as he continued talking, “But no one has been able to help. What do you think the problem might be?” 

“She appears a bit colicky,” Clara replied honestly, knowing how it was hardly as big a problem as they were making it out to be. The child just needed love and attention and a constant, proper pattern to follow. 

“What does that mean?” 

“It simply means that she has episodes of intense crying and screaming, which are impossible to control and avoid but can be taken care of if she receives proper nutrition and care. She might also be having stomach aches, so I will need to release any gas from her stomach and swaddle her tightly so she can be comfortable. Often young children need to be swaddled tightly so they can feel protected and safe.” 

“Do you believe you will be able to help my niece, Miss Middleton?” 

“Of course.” Clara nodded, already feeling a connection to the child who was now resting her tiny head on Clara’s shoulder. “There is nothing wrong with her, Your Grace. She is going to be just fine.” 

“Would you like to begin right now, Miss Middleton? I wish to hire you for the position.” 

Clara’s eyes widened, unable to believe her ears. 

“Truly?”

“Yes.” 

“Of course, Your Grace. I can begin immediately, but my things are not with me.” 

“We will send for them.” 

“Right.” She nodded, still processing the happy news. She had finally been able to secure a position for herself, “Thank you for this opportunity, Your Grace. I will certainly not disappoint you.” 

The duke nodded, walking out of the nursery as he left Clara alone with Eleanor. She had never before been hired this quickly in any household, and that too on the spot. The duke had looked worried, and almost desperate to have Clara begin working at once. She could sense how things here were clearly a little more serious than the duke was letting on, and the entire household was clearly caught up in a storm.