Free A Governess for the faithless Duke (Regency Romance) (Regency Tales Book 3) by Regina Darcy Page B

society’s expectations. And then I met you. You did not ask anything of me, unless it was for my nieces. You did not try to lay a trap for me because you wanted my wealth or status. Instead, you avoided me, and kept all our meetings professional. You showed love and care for my nieces, and respect for my status. I was helpless against the allure of your honest innocence and warmth.” 
    He kissed her cheek and rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. “I promise not to leave you standing alone at the altar, sweet Charlotte. I have asked your father for your hand, and he has given his consent for me to address you. My Aunt Agnes will return to chaperone you until our marriage, and I will look to find a new governess for the girls.”
    “No!” Charlotte finally found her voice. When Edmund looked at her in surprise, she said, “I will continue to teach the girls. They do not need another woman in their lives. They have me, they know me, and hopefully they will soon learn to love me.”
    Edmund smiled. “I think we already have that covered, my love,” he said. “They have been working on a gift for you for quite some time, and I have been helping them with it. It will be unveiled at Christmas time, but trust me when I say it will provide another piece of evidence of the love that you inspire in us.”
    Charlotte eyed him with delight. “When is your aunt arriving?” she asked, ever aware of the need to act with decorum.
    “Later today,” he said. “She was privy to my intentions before she left the last time.”
    “I will need to get ready, then,” she said. “I shall wear my new gown.”
    The weeks that followed were filled with planning for their wedding. Charlotte continued to teach the girls, who had started to call her Aunt Charlotte, and insisted on keeping her tea engagements with Mrs Thomson, whom she informed that she would be making their tea meetings mandatory, in the same way that Milton and the duke had a weekly session. She knew that things would never be exactly the same as before, but she wanted to ensure that she kept herself grounded by remaining true to who she was.
    Her wedding dress was being made by a goddess of high French fashion from London, and she had been up twice for fittings. After her second visit, as she and Edmund were sitting down to tea with Lady Agnes, Milton announced Lady Henrietta Aston and her sister Lady Sarah Aston. Charlotte and his aunt remained seated while Edmund rose to meet his uninvited guests.
    “Ladies, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Edmund asked, ushering them in and inviting them to sit across from where he and Charlotte sat.
    Milton brought in another tray for tea things for two more, and Charlotte poured the tea as they talked. She said nothing, leaving Edmund to make the necessary introductions and explanations.
    “Rumour has it that you are once again attached, Lord Edmund,” Henrietta began. “We just wanted to confirm it. Mama gave us leave to visit as we heard that you, Lady Agnes, are now in residence, as well.”
    Edmund smiled. “All the rumours are true, ladies. I am indeed attached again, and my Aunt Agnes is in residence to provide a chaperone for my betrothed, who also happens to be my nieces’ governess. Please meet Miss Charlotte Williams.”
    He gestured toward Charlotte, who sipped her tea delicately, secretly pleased that she had managed to get what Henrietta Aston had so badly wanted, and all without trying. She looked up as he stopped speaking, and smiled brightly at them both.
    “My darling, meet Lady Henrietta Aston, and Lady Sarah Aston. We are neighbours.”
    The women were both obviously dumbfounded, barely managing to greet her, and then hurrying to leave, no doubt to spread some vicious story abroad about the woman the Duke had fallen in with. Charlotte didn’t care. She knew who she was, and what she was to the man she loved. She foresaw a future devoid of visits from the Astons, for which she was grateful in