“Madam, I must tell you how much I admire the cut of your gown.”
“Thank you, but it is borrowed.”
His hand flew to his neck cloth. His eyes widened in what she could only imagine was horror. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dominic smirking at them. Setting her jaw, she forked another mouthful of butter-soaked vegetables into her mouth.
“You have uttered words that are unusually frank, Miss...?”
She swallowed. “Miss Gordon. I am simply the governess, here to even out the numbers.”
“An honest woman,” he murmured.
She eyed him, wondering in which direction he planned to direct conversation and if she should develop a sudden megrim. But she did not want to miss dessert.
It became clear, very quickly, that Mr. Hodges was wry and amusing, his personality as rumpled and interesting as his clothing was not. Every so often she felt Dominic’s eyes upon her, like a hot spot in the middle of her back, but when she looked at him, he’d merely dip his head in acknowledgment.
Mr. Hodges regaled her with tales of his travels with the East India Company when he was younger, and she laughed when he described an unfortunate fiasco with a monkey.
“My uncle has a pet monkey,” she said. “He takes Cheepers with us everywhere.”
Mr. Hodges’s finely plucked blond eyebrow rose. “Indeed? Where is your uncle now?”
And so it was that they began the most intriguing conversation on medical advances, technology and the vagaries of pet monkeys. Their engagement lasted through dessert and into the drawing room, where they immediately found an alcove to chat about telescopes.
A young lady played a rousing melody upon the pianoforte and several card tables had been set up. Dominic stood at the opposite of the room. She gave him a tiny finger wave for his eyebrows were lowered and his lips flat.
She turned to Mr. Hodges, who watched her in a strange way. He was very attentive, even going so far as to bring her a drink. “It is my opinion that if an instrument can be designed to search out the stars and make them clearer, then surely we as a society must find a way to look inside the human body. Current microscopes are not sufficient. They must be improved.”
“Have you ever read the book Micrographia?” he asked.
“Unfortunately not.”
“Stunning illustrations. I shall lend you a copy.”
“That is most kind of you.” She could not help her widening smile. “I shall enjoy such a book immensely.”
“Miss Gordon. Mr. Hodges.” Dominic appeared, bowing and scowling, though it seemed as though he was trying to hide his ill humor beneath a tight grimace of a smile.
“St. Raven. It’s been ages, man. Where have you been hiding?”
“Inherited an earldom and realized it was time to grow up and be responsible.”
“How utterly boring,” Mr. Hodges drawled.
Barbara sauntered over just then, the lift of her jaw indicating displeasure. Henrietta bit back a grin. She was not so inured to societal snobbery that she didn’t recognize when her time was up.
“Miss Gordon, it is customary for the governess to retire to her room after dinner. You are no longer needed.”
“Ah, the lovely Lady Winthrop. What a delightful dinner party. I am in absolutely awe of your splendid table.” Mr. Hodges spoke in a rather foppish way that made Henrietta rethink her initial pique with Dominic’s superficial humor. His could not compare to this silliness.
A woman with shining brunette ringlets that cascaded over perfect skin glided over.
“Do introduce me, Lord St. Raven?” She studied Henrietta, a calculating gleam in her eye and a possessive lean in her position toward Dominic.
Henrietta shifted, suddenly feeling her first nerves, for while Mr. Hodges felt harmless enough, the way both ladies looked at her rather made her feel like their meal for the night.
“This is his governess.” Barbara tittered. “Miss Gordon,” she added as an afterthought.
“I see.” The lady cut her chin to the side, dismissing Henrietta as one would a servant.
And that was what she was, but she did not like the feeling at all. As a woman working with her uncle, she had been treated like this often. Slighted. She stiffened her shoulders, prepared to advise the snobby lady that if she was using arsenic to attain such a perfect complexion, then she should beware of the chemical’s toxicity.
Dominic spoke, however, surprising her.
“Miss Gordon is not a mere governess. She has assisted the physician Mr. William Gordon in his practice for many years.”
“Mr. Gordon?” Barbara turned an astonished gaze to Henrietta, as though just seeing her. “You are related?”
“He is my uncle.”
“She is only governessing as a favor. Louise took a shine to her when she stayed with Lady Brandewyne. An old family friend,” he added for good measure.
Henrietta relaxed when Barbara’s features softened. The woman beside her, who had not been introduced, pinched her lips together.
“You were raised as a lady, then?”
“My parents died before my Season,” Henrietta said shortly. “Thus, my gentility was lost with my wealth and my home and my family.”
“What a varied experience you’ve had,” Mr. Hodges pronounced gaily. “You’ve gone from riches to rags, from ladyhood to physicianhood. A romantic tragedy fit for a Byron poem.” He sighed in such a comical way that all members of the party laughed.
“Miss Gordon has provided excellent medical advice to many of my tenants. She is certainly an asset to my estate,” said Dominic, and her heart warmed at his praise.
“Certainly an unconventional governess.” Barbara gave her one last, tight-lipped look and, taking the other woman’s arm, wandered off.
“Well, then, I should hobnob with other beautiful women before people begin talking about us.” Mr. Hodges granted her a long, exaggerated wink before spinning around to thread his way to the other side of the room.
“Interesting man.” She sipped her drink. Maybe it was time to leave. Lady Winthrop had made it clear that she didn’t belong.
