Lord Preston's Secret Governess

Chapter 14: What Does Miss Somerset Gain?

 
The words had escaped his lips before he could stop them. He hadn’t intended to ask. It was an uncharacteristic lapse in his usual composure.

Jacqueline’s eyes widened slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You didn’t want anyone to discover your unfamiliarity with aristocratic etiquette. You were already facing scrutiny as a latecomer to high society, and you didn’t want to add fuel to the fire with unfavorable rumors. You also wanted to protect the Preston family’s reputation. So you couldn’t confide in anyone. I understand completely.”
She met his gaze, her eyes filled with empathy, offering him a silent reassurance.
Windsor, instead of responding, gave her a slight nod, encouraging her to continue.

“It’s difficult to feign knowledge you don’t possess. Any clumsy attempt would invite ridicule, as evidenced by the aristocracy’s treatment of the nouveau riche. Fortunately, I’m well-versed in the customs of high society. And even more fortunately, I’m currently employed as the governess of Preston Manor. In other words, I’m the perfect person for the job.”
Jacqueline’s smile widened. “And believe it or not, I’m quite good at keeping secrets. I’m loyal to a fault.”
Windsor remained silent. He couldn’t accept her offer so readily. Acknowledging his ignorance would damage the Preston family’s reputation. Even now, he was cautious, hesitant.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to dismiss her, not with the King looming over him. He had avoided meeting with the King until now, using his residence at the estate as an excuse. But the King, growing impatient, had initiated legal proceedings to gain custody of Benjamin.
Even knowing this, Windsor couldn’t risk revealing his ignorance to the King. It would be used against him in court. The King would argue that Windsor, of lowly birth, was unfit to raise Benjamin, perhaps even a detrimental influence.
It wasn’t entirely untrue, and that was precisely why Windsor was so invested in Benjamin’s education.

Jacqueline leaned closer, her voice a low, conspiratorial whisper, as sweet and tempting as when she had encouraged Benjamin to catch the cicada. “I’ll teach you the ways of high society, Lord Preston. No one will ever know.”
“These needlessly complex and tedious customs?” He countered, his eyes narrowing, testing her resolve. But it was futile. Jacqueline wasn’t so easily swayed.
“You didn’t want the household staff to know, not even Benjamin. That’s why you dined alone, isn’t it? Ironically, sometimes, complex rules can offer a sense of freedom. How long will you continue to avoid dancing at balls and feign illness to excuse yourself from social gatherings? Isn’t it time you embraced your role as the Marquess of Windsor?”

Her words resonated with him. He had been feeling the pressure mounting, like a wall closing in around him. And now, a door had appeared, a way out.
But it wouldn’t be free. He knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
“What does Miss Somerset gain from this arrangement?” He asked directly. He didn’t believe her offer was purely altruistic. She must have an ulterior motive.

Perhaps… money. She was, after all, the daughter of a bankrupt earl.
His impassive gaze rested on her face. Jacqueline’s expression flickered, as if she had been caught off guard. She averted her gaze.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. He realized he was disappointed in her.

Why? What did I expect? Every aristocrat he had encountered had been two-faced. The nobles he had met in the military had pretended to be patriots while cowering behind the front lines. The nobles he had met in society had smiled to his face while mocking him behind his back. He had assumed she would be no different.
“Speak freely.”
“Well, then…” Jacqueline hesitated, then lifted her head, her gaze meeting his with newfound determination. “I want you to respect my educational philosophy.”
“…” Windsor was speechless. He hadn’t anticipated this. His brow furrowed in confusion.

He couldn’t understand her motives. It wasn’t unusual, but he had never felt so bewildered.
“You want me to respect your educational philosophy?” He repeated her words, an uncharacteristic echo of his earlier confusion.
Jacqueline nodded emphatically. “It’s not a disadvantageous proposition, Lord Preston. Although the Somerset family has fallen from grace, I was born and raised as an earl’s daughter. I received an excellent education and graduated from the Bristol Boarding School with honors. I can be a valuable asset to both Benjamin and yourself. I guarantee it.”

Her voice rang with confidence. Windsor, resting his hand on the table, tapped his index finger thoughtfully.
Jacqueline, her face still smiling, but her voice taking on a sterner tone, said, “You shouldn’t tap your fingers on the table, Lord Preston. It’s considered impolite. And please keep your elbows off the table.”
His long fingers froze mid-air. He slowly looked up at her.

Jacqueline smiled brightly, as if daring him to refuse her offer. “I can transform you into a respected gentleman, Lord Preston. The impeccable Marquess of Windsor, beyond reproach.” Her voice was as smooth and persuasive as when she had tempted Benjamin with the cicada.
“Why are you going to such lengths?” But Windsor was more resistant to temptation than Benjamin. He didn’t accept her offer immediately; he questioned her motives.
She said she hadn’t contacted the King, but can I trust her? Or is this a ploy to exploit my weakness?

“The reason…” Jacqueline repeated his question, her eyes lowered, a subtle smile playing on her lips. The sudden shift in her demeanor intrigued Windsor.
“I want to see Benjamin smile.”
“…”

“I haven’t seen him genuinely smile yet.”
Windsor remained silent, his sharp gaze scrutinizing her face, as if searching for a hidden agenda.
Jacqueline met his gaze, her expression sincere. She genuinely liked Benjamin and wanted him to be happy. Perhaps there wouldn’t be many opportunities for him to smile in the future. The position of Marquess of Preston, as Windsor had pointed out, wasn’t an easy one. So, at least for now…

“Very well, Miss Somerset. We have a deal.” Windsor finally nodded. He still couldn’t decipher her motives, but he accepted her offer. It was too tempting to refuse, and he was desperate. If she was working for the King, he would deal with her accordingly.
Jacqueline, unaware of his ruthless thoughts, smiled. “Excellent choice, Lord Preston. …William.”
The dining room door opened, and the butler entered, his posture ramrod straight, awaiting their instructions.

“Would you serve dinner, please? I believe Lord Preston is quite hungry. I’ve wasted precisely twenty-three minutes of his dinner time.”
“…Certainly, Miss Somerset.” William, after a quick glance at both of them, quietly retreated. The meal, apparently already prepared, arrived shortly afterwards.
Jacqueline turned to William, her voice laced with an unfamiliar authority. “You may leave us, William.”

“Yes, Miss.” William didn’t understand why Jacqueline was seated at the table with Windsor, who always dined alone. But he didn’t question it. A butler obeyed, he didn’t ask questions.
After the door closed, Jacqueline placed her hands on her lap and spoke softly. “Please, enjoy your meal, Lord Preston.”
Windsor narrowed his eyes, as if trying to decipher her intentions. Jacqueline, her expression innocent and guileless, met his gaze.

“I need to observe your dining habits to offer proper guidance. I’ll prove my worth with results.”
Windsor, his expression reluctant, unfolded his napkin. Jacqueline immediately spoke.
“A gentler motion would be preferable. That looked like you were planting a flag on a ship. Good. The folded napkin goes on your lap.”

“I know how to use a napkin.” Windsor replied curtly.
Jacqueline suppressed a smile, maintaining her composure. “Serving all the dishes at once is Lencian style. These days, the Norti style, where dishes are served individually, is more fashionable. We’ll practice Norti dining etiquette next time. Oh, and when you set down your knife, the blade should always face inwards.”
“Why?” Windsor turned his knife over, his expression questioning.

“Um…” Jacqueline’s green eyes darted back and forth. She didn’t know the reason. She had simply been taught that way. Faced with a difficult question, she adopted a stern expression. “Please avoid scraping the bottom of your bowl with your spoon. And if the soup bowl has two handles, it means you’re allowed to lift it and drink directly from it.”
“So, scraping the bowl is impolite, but drinking from it is acceptable? Why?”
“Um…” Jacqueline’s eyes darted around again. She didn’t know the reason for that either. This student is quite inquisitive. She smoothly changed the subject.

“Oh, and you shouldn’t flip the fish like that, Lord Preston.”
Windsor’s hands, which had been moving leisurely, froze. He looked up at her, his blue-gray eyes filled with annoyance. Jacqueline continued nonchalantly.