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A Governess' Forbidden Flame: A Historical Regency
Livinia Campbell, a spirited governess, is sent far fromhome to tend to her duties There, she discovers that the shadows lurkingwithintheestateholdmorethanjusttheusualsecrets.Adarkfamilysecretcouldturnouttobemoretroublethanshe hadbargainedfor.Despitethewarningsandtheforebodingatmosphere,Liviniafeelsaninexplicablepulltowardtheenigmatic Earl,BenedictBeaumont.Witheachglance,herheartracesandpassionsetsafirewithinher,soshedecidestostayinsteadof runningaway.
Willthisdecisionprovetobeherdemise?
BenedictBeaumont, Earl ofSheffield, burdened bythe weightofhis family's legacyand the responsibilities ofhis position, struggles to maintain order within the walls of Sheffield Manor. When his sister insists on hiring a stranger as governess, Benedict knows he is risking his deepest fears turning into reality; things ending in tragedy the way they had in the past. However,whenhemeetsLiviniathere’ssomethingaboutherhejustcan’tresistandwhendesireturnsintolove,heknowshe isatrisk.
Entwined by destiny and consumed by longing, Livinia and Benedict are swept into a whirlwind of forbidden desire and undeniableattraction.Yet,lurkingbeneaththesurfaceoftheirsinfulromanceliesadarkabyssofdeceitanddanger,threatening toconsumethem.Willtheirlovewithstandthetempestofsecretsthatthreatentotearthemapart,orwilltheybeburntbythe flamesoftheirowndesire?
AdelaideFletcher’slightbrowneyeslitupwithexcitement.“LordDunhamdisappearedwithLadyVioletshortlyafterIsaw themkissing. Do you suppose they went to make a baby?” the girl spoke excitedly, her words falling over one another in torrents
“What do you know of making babies, young lady? That is a subject entirely unfit and unbecoming. Besides, one must be marriedforsuchthingstooccur.”Shesmoothedher goldenhairbackintoplaceasalightbreezepickedup.Shehadalways founditeasiertomanageifherhairwasslickedbackintoatightbun
Adelaide and Olivia were only one year apart, sixteen and fifteen, respectively Although their appearance of strawberry blondehairandcherubicfacesmadethemlookliketwins,theirpersonalitiescouldn’thavebeenmoreopposed.Adelaidewas fieryand outgoing, while Olivia preferred to keep to herself The younger sister was muchlike her mother whenitcame to mindinghermannersandactingaccordingtoherstationinlife.
Adelaideletoutasighafterrealizingthattheconversationhadcometoanend Distractedlypickingatthegrassattheedgeof the white linen, she tilted her head to the side. “Livinia, do youthinkyoushall getmarried once Olivia and Ihave entered society?”sheaskedalmostsorrowfullyasifthequestionhadbeenlyingonhermindforawhile
“But Lavinia! You are far too beautiful not to be married!” Adelaide complained in shock, insinuating that Livinia had committedacrimebynotwantingahusband.
“It’s true, you know, I don’t often listen to gossip, but I overheard one of Mama’s friends discussing your beauty. Lady Hamstead said she would payanyprice mentioned to have a waistas thinas yours. Notto mention, your pale skinrivals a peach,”Oliviaaddedasamatteroffact
“Girls!Iwillhavetokeepaclosereyeonyouwhenweareinpublic Yourearsstrayfartoowideforyourowngood AndI canassureyouthatIwillnotbetrappinganyoneofthesort;honestly,whatbookshaveyoubothbeenreading?”Sheshookher headindisbeliefandlaughedatthedailybantershehadtodealwith.Adelaidewouldcertainlybeahandfulforthemanshe married
“I just meant that you should give it some thought. There is no need for a woman as beautiful as you to remain unwed,” Adelaidesaidunperturbedandreachedforthebookshehadplacedontheendoftheblanketbeforeleaningback
Olivia let out a sighand shookher head indisapproval. Livinia knew that she would follow inher mother’s footsteps and becomethepictureofeleganceinherhomeandmarriage Adelaide,however,wasaforcetobereckonedwith
Livinia felther breathingdeepenas she laybackonthe blanketand looked atthe fluffyclouds passingoverhead. Marriage wasn’tsomethingthatshehadeverimagined Shehadtoadmit,howeverthatthethoughtofromancemadeherpulseraceand herabdomenflutter.Whatwoulditbeliketohaveher breathcatchinher throatatthemeresightofaman?Herskintingled withcuriosityasshepicturedahandsomestrangersweepingherintohisarms
Livinia tooka deep breathand straightened her clothes, ensuringthatno blades ofgrass had beenleftbehind inher hair. It wasn’tunusual for LadyNorthforktosummonher,yetshecouldn’thelpfeelingher stomachknottingwithconcern.Thegirls werenearinganagewhereherpositionwasnolongersecure.
Theroomwasbrightandsunny,withlightpinkfurnishingsinFrenchstyle.LadyNorthforkpridedherselfonkeepingupwith all the latestfashions and styles The ladyherselfwas tall and elegant, withblonde curls pinned behind her head and kind browneyes.ShewaseverythingthatLiviniathoughtaladyofthetonshouldbe.
“Iamgrateful for the treatmentIhave received inyour home, MyLady” She faked a smile, hopingthatthe anxietyshe felt rushingthroughherbodywouldn’tbeapparent.
“I’mafraiditwon’tbeaslivelyasitishere,buttheEarlofSheffieldrequiresagovernessforhisyoungersister.FromwhatI hear,thegirlhaslivedasomewhatshelteredlife,butthatshouldn’tbeaproblemforyou Oliviais,afterall,averyquietgirl compared to Adelaide. I’msure the sheltered upbringing of your new charge will have made her just as reserved,” Lady Northforkchatteredkindlywithanencouragingnodtowardstheletter
No matter how scary the prospect of change may seem.
Livinia took a deep breath and clutched the handles of her bag a little tighter in her hands. The carriage driver had unceremoniouslydroppedheroffinfrontofthegatesandleft.
SheffieldManorwaslargeandimpressive,withfinemasonryandtall pillarsthatspokeofaffluenceandwealth.YetLivinia couldn’thelp noticingthe signs ofdisrepair. Vegetationand vines grew up the walls ina hauntinglybeautiful sight, and the largestonefountaininfrontofthestepsdesperatelyneededcleaning.
Themanseemedtosizeherupforamoment,takinghistimetoobservehergreytravellingcoatandhat.“Yes,HisLordshipdid say that you would be arriving today,” the man seemed to conclude and proceeded to open the gates The iron creaked in protest,signallingadeepdesireforoil.
Thomas ignored her cheerful demeanour and raised his eyebrows before moving along. Gesturing over his shoulder, he signalledforhertofollow
Hesitatingfor a moment,Livinia wonderedifshe hadn’tmade a mistake intakingona positionwitha familyshe hadnever met. Yetthere was nothingmore she could do atpresent. Liftingher bags, she hurried behind thatbutler who doubled as a
Ashiver instantly ran down her spine as she entered the cool entrance hall. The inside of the manor was cooler than the outside.Theentrancehallcomprisedahighceilingandmanywindowsthatoverlookedthebackgardensontheoppositewall. Atallwindingstaircaseseemedindesperateneedofdusting.
LiviniawasleftwithlittletimetoponderthematterbeforeThomasbeganmovingagain.Hewasahandsomemanofroughly thirty-five, or at least that was what Livinia thought. His manners weren’t lacking per se; it was more like that man was guarded,tooscaredtospeakunlesshesaidtoomuch
Fear and curiosity knotted in the pit of her stomach as she took a deep breath and began to climb the large staircase that undoubtedlyledtoher chambers Thelackoffamilyportraitsonthewallsstruckher asodd,butthenagain,nothingthathad happenedtohersinceherarrivalhadbeenwhatshe’dexpected.
“Lord Sheffield and LadyTheodora will be backfromanoutingthis evening. Youare welcome to explore the house inthe meantime,butIwouldn’tstraytoofarifIwereyou.LordSheffielddoesnotlookkindlyupontardiness,”Thomaswarnedjust asLiviniasteppedintotheroomandshutthedoorinhiswake.
Sheshookoffherfeelingsofuneaseandlookedaroundtheroomthatwastobeherhomefortheforeseeablefuture.Thesingle bed and meagre furnishings were a far cry fromher lavish roomin the Fletcher household. Yet there was still something homelyandcomfortableabouttheplace.Sighing,sheplacedherbagsbesidethebedandlookedoutthewindowattheforest surroundingthemansion
Liviniacouldn’thelpstaringathisruggedstature.Therewasanair ofmysteryanddanger abouthim,thekindofdemeanour that drew many a young lady into having their hearts broken She placed the tips of her fingers against the pain of glass, touchinghisoutlineasherheartbegantoracewithexcitement.
She shook off the feelings of heat that coursed through her body and decided to focus on her unpacking her bags. If the handsomemanonhorsebackwereLordSheffield,thenshewouldfindoutsoonenough.
Chapter3
The sun was beginning to set over the trees when Livinia heard a soft knock on her door. It was about time that Thomas summonedhertomeetthefamily.Shehadchosenherfinestdarkbrowndressfortheoccasionandplaitedherlongblondehair downherback TheFletchergirlshadoftencommentedonhowthecoloursbroughtoutthegoldflecksinherhazeleyes
“YoumustbeMissCampbell;Ican’ttellyouhowexcitedIamtohaveanotherladylivinghere.Whydidyouleaveyourlast position,andwhydidyouchoose tocome here ofall places?” The younggirl came intothe roomwitha flourish,excitedly lookingaroundbeforeturningtoLiviniawithawide-eyedexpressionofenthusiasm
“Do you think we will focus more on finding me a husband, or are you the kind of governess that prefers books and accomplishments over attractingsuitors?” The girl’s lightgreeneyes shone withexcitement, notunlike the mischievous way thatAdelaide’s had done. This youngladyhowever seemed wilder thanthe eldestFletcher daughter. She was untamed and unbridledwithafieryspirit
Heseemedlikelessofamysteriousfiguretohernowthatsheknewhisname.Herheartinstantlywarmedtotheyounggirlwho was desperately in need of some female guidance. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Theodora; as for the rest of your questions,I’msurethetwoofuswillhaveplentyoftimetogettoknowoneanother”
“IamsorryifIcameacrossasoverbearingbefore,MissCampbell.Ihavesolongedforfemalecompanionship.Ihadtobeg mybrother ImeanHis Lordship to find me a governess” Theodora’s lightgreeneyes softened a little as she simmered down.
AflickerofrealizationcameoverTheodora’sfaceassheheadedtowardsthedoor.Herdarkbrownhairhadbeenpinnedto the backofher hair, and her figure was lithe, muchlike thatofother girls her age. “Thatreminds me, Iwas supposed to be waitingforyoualongwithBenedictinthestudy HewillbeawfullyfuriouswhenhehearsthatIdisobeyedhim”Shewasted notimeinhurryingdownthepassage.
Thefirecrackledinthegrate,castingshadowsacrossthedarklyfurnishedroom.Liviniaswallowedhardasshesteppedinto the room, expecting confrontation Her heart skipped a beat as she spotted the ruggedly handsome earl sitting in his chair besidethefire.Theearl’shairhadbeenswepttothesideindarkwaves.
Liviniacouldn’thelpfeelingacertainamountofattractiontotheman.His presencecommandedobedienceandrespect.She couldn’t help wonderinghow his younger sister had got awaywithdisobeyinghimwhenhe clearlyplaced a great deal of importanceonhisposition
“I have one rule to be obeyed above all others, Miss Campbell You are not to interfere with my decisions regarding the householdormysister.Youaretoguideandteachwhileobeyingme.”Hiseyesdarkenedslightlyagainasifhewereissuinga challenge.
Heplacedgreatimportanceonmyeducation,butsadly,hisbusinesscouldnotreverttomeuponhisdeath.Iamawoman,and suchthings are notfor us;the store and all the inheritance passed to a distantcousinwho saw me as a burdenrather thana relative.”Shetoldherstoryswiftlywithherhandsclaspedinfrontofherabdomen.
The pit of her stomach fluttered strangely in his presence as he continued to look at her with a wolfish grin. “Well, Miss Campbell,whateveryourbackground,youwillcometofindthelifeatSheffieldManortobevastlydifferentthanwhatyouare usedto.IfyoukeeptoyourselfandrememberwhatIask,therewon’tbeanyproblems.”
“Asyoucansee,youhaveyourworkcutoutforyou,MissCampbell.”Theearlraisedaneyebrow andheldhergazebefore pushinghimselfup fromhis chair. His heighttowered over her, and she found her gaze locked onthe muscular formofhis chest,visibleeventhroughthewhitecottonshirt
Herheartflutteredslightlyassheraisedherhandtoherthroat LordSheffieldwascomingacrosstheyard,presumablyonhis wayto the stables. His confidentstrides drew her attentionas the strange sensationofcuriosityand attractionagainspread throughherbody.BenedictBeaumontwasastrangeman;therewasnodenyingthat.
“Wecangoforawalklaterwhenyou’vegotthroughthesecondchapter Andtoansweryourquestion,ifyouaspiretofinda good husband someday, youwill need to brushup onyour knowledge.” She walked across the roomto the large mahogany deskinfrontofthebarrenfireplace
“And how do yousuppose youwill fare inthe world whenyoudon’tknow the townyoufind yourselfinor how to askfor directionsinaforeignlanguage?”Liviniaplacedherpalmsonthecoolwoodsurfaceandgavethegirlapointedlook
“You made your point,” Theodora grumbled with a shake of her head and lowered her gaze to her book “Do you think Benedictwillallowmetoattendaballwithyouasmychaperone?”sheaskedwithoutlookingupagain.
“I’msure he would once youare outinSociety” She frowned atthe strange questionand crossed her arms to ward offthe chill.ShemadeamentalnotetoaskLordSheffieldifafirecouldbelitatleastwhilestudieswereunderway.
Lettingher curiosityget the better ofher, she decided to venture a few questions. “Whydo youthinkLord Sheffield won’t allowyoutoattendballs?”Shebitherlowerlipinconcentration.
ItwashardforLiviniatopictureLordSheffieldinanyotherwaythanhowhewasnow.Beingthelifeofthepartyoutonthe tonwasn’texactlysynonymous withhis broodyand private demeanour Althoughshe could see how a womancould fall in lovewithhim.Hishandsomefeaturesandpowerfulcharacterhadthepotentialtomakeanyoneswoon.
Thecoastseemedclearsaveforasinglewoodenbucketthatrolledacrossthefloor.Somethingmusthavebeenmessingabout justoutsidethestabledoors Hecouldhaveswornhe’dplacedthebucketssecurelyontopofoneanother Foxeswerealways a problemthis time ofyear. Their numbers had increased a hundredfold inthe pastfew years, yethe preferred to chase the creaturesbackintotheforestthantoallowhuntersonthegrounds.
Then,Benedictnotedthefineripsonhercloakandthepawprintonherchest.Herappearancecertainlygavesubstancetoher story “Haveyouneverheardthesayingasslyasafox,MissCampbell?”Thetensioninhisshoulderseasedalittle Shemay nothavefullyearnedhistrust,butshehadn’tliedaboutthefox.
“Ihopethisencounterhastaughtyouavaluablelesson Someofushavebetterthingstodowithourtime”Hepushedbackthe smile that threatened to curl his lips and abruptly returned to the stables. The past had taught himthat spending time with beautifulwomenonlyledtobadthings LiviniaCampbellmayhavebeenagoverness,butherstationinlifedidn’tdetractfrom herbeauty.
Livinia’sfacecrashedintohischest,hernosebendingslightlyuponimpact.Movingquickerthanlightning,Benedictreached outand gripped her waist, keepingher fromfalling. Her breathingdeepened once againas she sucked ina breathoffright, lookingupintohiseyesashebroughtherupstraightwithhisarmsstillsecurelyplacedaroundherwaist
Hisownchestroseandfellwitheverybreathashiseyesslippedfromherlipstoherslenderthroatanddippedtothecleavage peakingfromthetopofherdress Ithadbeenalongtimesincehe’dheldawoman Thegovernesswasslenderwithcurvesthat accentuated all of her womanlyattributes ina dangerouslyalluringmanner. The visceral response that coursed throughhis bodysnappedhimbacktohissenses
“Winter has not yet come; the fires are not to be lit in any of the rooms.” He couldn’t help feeling impressed by her determinationdespitetheannoyanceshewaspresenting
“Have youalways spokenbackto your employers inthis manner, or is this a special skill youhave required inthe recent past?”Heraisedhisvoiceslightly,hopingthegovernesswouldleavethematterbe.
“No, My Lord, I did not speak to my employers in this manner, but they did not have rules that went beyond basic
“Idare questionthe illogical whenreasonable requests are met withunreasonable responses!” Livinia tooka step towards him,fireburninginhereyesasshestoodonhertoeswithherfaceangledtowardshis.
“Ididn’tbringyouhere so thatyoumayquestionmyrunningofthe house, Miss Campbell” His voice was barelyabove a whisperashiseyesdriftedtothefullnessofherlips,slightlypartedwithrage.
“Verywell.”Liviniagavehimapointedlookbeforeunceremoniouslyturningawayfromhimandstompingbacktowardsthe house
Livinia was practicallyfumingas she stormed backinto the mansion. The manmaybe anearl, buthe’d have another think comingifhejustassumedshewouldlaybackandputupwithhisunreasonablebehaviour. Herplaceinthemansionwasto educatehissister,andshewouldbedoingthatincomfort Comehellorhighwater
Pushingopenthe studydoor, she walkedinto the chillyroomwithsheer determinationand beganto gather the books onher desk “Come,LadyTheodora,wewillbetakingtherestoftoday’slessondownstairs,”shesaidcheerfully,barelyconcealing herirritation.
“No,he has not And inlightofLord Sheffield’s rules, we will seekalternate accommodationfor our lessons to proceed in comfort.Let’snotwasteanymoretime.”Liviniamarchedpastherwiththestackofbooksinherarms.
“Miss Campbell, where are we going?” LadyTheodora hurried to keep up withher Her lackofproper walks onthe estate wasevidentinhowshebegantopant.
Liviniakeptupthebriskpaceonherwaydownthestairs “Wearemovingourstudiestotheonlyotherroomwithafireatthis time of day. We shall adjust our lessonplan. Walks inthe mornings, accomplishments inthe afternoons, and lessons inthe evenings whenwe canuse the fire” She rattledoffher instructions before pointedlyheadingtowards the parlour where she hadfirstmetthestubbornearl.
“Justas Ithought, the sunis setting, and a cozylittle fire has alreadybeenlit” Livinia nodded her approval and placed the stackofbooksonthewritingdesknestledinthecorner oftheroom.“Itisn’tasbigasthestudy,butitwill dofortwoorso weeks.”
“And where will His Lordship write his letters while you are in his parlour? This roomis reserved exclusively for His Lordship to write duringthe evenings!” Thomas demanded almostangrily;his brows furrowed withconcernwhile his eyes dartedtothetinydeskanditscontentsthathadbeendisturbed.
Her heart began to pound as her nerves faltered. The way the earl had spoken to her had made her furious, but now she wondered if she hadn’t gone too far. The parlour after all was a private room in the house. One that a governess didn’t necessarilyhavearighttooccupy Shewonderedhowangryhewouldbewhenhecameintothehouseandrealizedwhatshe haddone.
Thepaceofherbreathingquickenedagainwiththethoughtofhislipssoclosetohers.Thescentoffreshhayandpinecones hademanatedfromhisskin Hadhebeenridingintheforestallday?Thefeelofhismusculararmsaroundherwaiststillmade her skintingle withheat. For the briefestofmoments, she had wondered whatitwould be like to have his lips againstthe tenderskinofherneck
“Iwill repeatwhatIsaid whenyouarrived, Miss Campbell. Youare to educate mysister and ensure her smoothentryinto Society Nothingelseinthehouseistobequestioned DoIneedtospellmywishesoutforyou?Orwillyouobeyme?”His Adam’sapplebobbedupanddown,andheswallowed,makingthetautmusclesofhisneckmoreevident.
Livinia thought of endingthe conversationthere but knew that backingdownwould meancertaindefeat for the rest of her employment.
His thumb delicatelyranover her wrist “Mywords are to be obeyed atall times, Miss Campbell Do notmake me repeat myselfeveragain,”hespokeinahuskytonebarelyaboveawhisper.
Feelingthepitofherstomachknottingwithapleasantsensationthatonlyprovedtoconfuseher,Liviniawithdrewherwrist.“I bid youa good evening, MyLord.” The feel ofhis thumb runningover her fleshhad beenmore thanshe could bear. Itwas bettertoleavebeforeherthoughtscouldbetangledanyfurther
Whydidshefeelrestlessallofasudden?Itwasasiftheshiftinherlifehadcausedhertoyearnforsomethingmore,butwhat was thatsomething? Did she longto move onto a differentposition, or was she yearningfor anentirelydifferentchange of events?
She breathed a confused sighofsatisfactionand gathered her stackofbooks. Itwas gettingrather late, and there would be enoughtimeinthemorningtocontinuewithherlessonplans Thestackofbooksfeltstrangelyheavyassheweighedthemon herarm.
