The Duke and The Governess by Lyndsey Norton Read Free Book Online

later.’
    ‘Very good, Your Grace.’ She smiled sweetly, ‘maybe we can tackle a nappy change or a bath, then.’
    John left with alacrity as the three women laughed loudly.

Chapter Three
    Jessica Gordon looked at her reflection in the mirror without interest. Her dark hair was intricately coiffured, her gown was of the finest satin, pale blue rather than ivory, and she was holding a bouquet of roses. Her mother bustled into the room.
    ‘Aren ’t you ready yet?’ she demanded, picked up the dark blue wool cloak and draped it over Jessica’s shoulders.
    ‘I don’t want to marry him, mama.’ Jessica said softly, as if it was a repetition that she had made a thousand times and nobody was listening any more. Helen turned her and did up the clasp.
    ‘It doesn’t matter what you want. Your father and The Earl have made the marriage agreement. Neither of you can escape it now!’
    ‘But, I’ve told you. I did not go into the bushes with David Carruthers !’ Jessica uttered, totally exasperated now.
    Lady Helen Gordon was appalled that Jessica should be caught in such a compromising position. She’d believed that Jessica would know better than to allow a man carnal knowledge of her before marriage, but she was obviously wrong. It didn’t once cross her mind that the gossip had been set deliberately and that Jessica was innocent. But it was ruinous not only to Jessica’s reputation, but also by association, her sister’s as well. Although Lady Helen did admit that her two eldest daughters deserved to be vilified and weren’t.
    ‘It doesn’t matter whether you did or didn’t go into the shrubbery with him. The gossip has been awful and the only way to save the family and the reputations of your sisters is for you to marry. I don’t want to hear another word abo ut t his matter. It is over and done with. You will walk into the chapel and marry Lord Carruthers if it’s the last thing you do!’
    ‘It probably will be the last thing I do.’ Jessica muttered.
    ‘Every thing w ill be fine.’ Helen said cajolingly . ‘I know you can’t be nervous about tonight, not as you were caught in the act at Devon’s party.’
    ‘I was not caught in the act!’ Jessica shouted vehemently. ‘I did nothing with David Carruthers at Devon’s party. All I did was sit and cry in the garden!’
    ‘Enough!’ Roared Wilbur Gordon from the doorway. ‘This matter is now closed and you will marry Carruthers .’ He grabbed Jessica by the wrist and yanked her along behind him as he made his way downstairs. He was disgusted that his little Jessica, the apple of his eye would be as wanton as her sisters. He was still of a mind to thrash the life out of David Carruthers for destroying her innocence. Like his wife, he didn’t doubt that the gossip was right and that she had wantonly let David Carruthers fuck her like a randy dog. It was unfortunate that Wilbur Gordon was suddenly forc ed to see Jessica for what she wa s, a grown woman, instead of the little girl he’d always indulged and adored.
    Jessica was annoyed that not even Cecily was allowed to accompany her to the church. In fact she hadn’t seen one of her siblings from the moment her father had thrown her into the coach with her mother and sent them home from the ball. It had seemed strange, after a lifetime of sleeping in the same room as Cecily, to be alone. Her mother had escorted her up to a spare room in the attic and promptly locked her in. The maids had delivered her clothes and her meals, but wouldn’t speak to her.
    Wilbur Gordon kept his vice like grip on her wrist as he pushed her into the carriage. Once he’d sat and forced Jessica down in the seat beside him, the carriage jerked into motion. He released her hand and patted it affectionately. ‘There, there, my dear. Everything will be fine once you are married.’ He said placatingly.
    For Jessica the forced calmness meant nothing, she wasn’t calm or accepting of the situation and tried again. ‘