Free The Governess Club: Claire by Ellie Macdonald Page A

men and women. She never lacks for partners in whatever she does.”
    “You know her well?”
    “I have known Claire for over two years. We see each other regularly for tea, so yes, I would say I know her well.”
    Jacob looked back at Claire on the dance floor. Good, she was still there. “You must be a member of the Governess Club.”
    “And you must be the new tutor,” the young lady rejoined.
    Jacob bowed to her. “Mr. Jacob Knightly, at your service.”
    “Do you not approve of our endeavor, Mr. Knightly? Your tone indicated you do not.”
    “Does my opinion matter to you?”
    “Men seem to be threatened by things they cannot control. Soon there will be four women beyond the control of men as much as they can be. Does that not threaten you?”
    Jacob turned to face the young lady fully. “Who are you?”
    She gave him a half-smile. “A friend of Miss Bannister’s. I will not stand in the way of her happiness, but neither will I countenance her being hurt.”
    “What makes you think I am going to hurt Cla—Miss Bannister?”
    Her smile turned sad. “It is difficult to act contrary to our natures, Mr. Knightly. I pray that you prove to be different, but only time will tell.” She glanced out at the dancers. “The music is ending. You will not want to move too slowly this time.”
    Jacob turned to look for Claire as well; sure enough, the set was finishing. He looked back to impart one final comment to the young lady, but all he saw was her moving away and disappearing into the crowd.
    Without another thought, Jacob plowed onto the dance floor, to where Claire was curtseying to her partner. He grabbed her wrist. “You must be hot from your dancing. Come outside and cool down.”
    “Mr. Knightly,” Claire began.
    “Claire.” Both his tone and the look in his eyes held a warning. Claire quickly thanked her partner and succumbed to Jacob’s tugging.
    “What has gotten into you?” she asked as they left the assembly room. Their footsteps echoed on the wooden steps leading down to the public room. Jacob didn’t say anything as he led her outside.
    “Is there a garden nearby?” he asked, his tone brusque.
    “Yes, just behind the church.” Claire pointed the way. She gave a little squeak as he tugged on her wrist again and strode in the direction she indicated. She scrambled to keep up. “Could you please shorten your strides?” He did so infinitesimally.
    Jacob didn’t seem able to draw an easy breath until he had led Claire into the small garden. It was difficult to see everything in the moonlight, but a small circular pathway around the flowers was visible, including a pair of benches. When he finally stopped, Claire pulled her wrist out of his hand.
    “What has gotten into you?” she asked again.
    Jacob turned toward her. “I don’t like being ignored,” he growled.
    “I wasn’t ignoring you.”
    “No? Then how many dances have you shared with me? None. And how many with that groom of yours? Two, Claire. There’s only been four dances so far, and half have gone to the upstart who can’t grow a beard.”
    “Thomas? I suppose you may be right. I’ve never seen him with any facial hair, but that is no cause to disparage him.”
    “I will disparage whomever I please.”
    “And if you had asked me to dance, I would have said yes,” Claire pointed out.
    “I tried to.” Jacob was still growling at her. “But I can’t seem to get close enough, thanks to your male harem.”
    “My what?” Claire gasped.
    “Every boy in the country who is old enough to know what’s what is slavering after you. And you encourage it, with your smiles and your laughter and your dancing.”
    “How dare you?” she breathed.
    Jacob began to advance on her. “Even your blond friend deemed fit to comment on your popularity and how you never seem to lack for partners, whatever the activity.”
    “Louisa?” Claire asked confused, instinctively moving away from his approach. “She would never