The Governess Club: Claire by Ellie Macdonald Page B

those that showed her kindness, Claire felt judged by the peers. And found lacking. She longed for Jacob and hurried her steps to the nursery.
    “Miss Bannister.”
    Claire automatically stopped and turned at the voice calling her. She rested her hand on the newel post. “Mr. Blatherly,” she greeted, a little breathless.
    He climbed the stairs toward her. “I did not mean to scare you away,” he said with a smile.
    She returned his smile politely. “Lady Aldgate no longer requires my presence.”
    “Ah. I am gratified it was nothing I did.” Mr. Blatherly reached the top of the stairs and stood an appropriate distance away.
    “Indeed not, sir. You were very kind and considerate to me.” Claire bobbed him a small curtsey. “If you will excuse me, sir, I am retiring. The children rise early in the morning.” She turned and started to make her way down the corridor.
    She startled when she felt Mr. Blatherly’s hand on her elbow. “Allow me to escort you to your room, Miss Bannister.” He took her hand and tucked it underneath his, covering her hand with his.
    Claire tried to pull her hand away, but he held onto to it tightly. “I do not think that would be appropriate, Mr. Blatherly.”
    He continued to smile at her. It wasn’t threatening in any way, but Claire still felt uncomfortable. “It is always an honor to escort a lovely young woman, Miss Bannister.”
    She managed to tug her hand away. “I must insist, sir. I wish to retire alone.”
    His smile began to fade somewhat. “I have been nothing but solicitous. Surely I deserve some reward. Escorting you to your room is a small thing to ask.”
    “It is not small to me, sir , if I am to be honest with you. If it were found out, I could lose my position.”
    “It is just a governess position, Miss Bannister.”
    “To you perhaps, but it is my livelihood. A dismissal and poor character reference would ruin me.”
    Mr. Blatherly began to smile an all-too-different smile. “You would be welcome to come to me for employment, my dear.”
    Claire raised her eyebrows at this. “I was unaware you had young children,. My congratulations.”
    He chuckled. “Nice try. But I am not in need of a governess.”
    Claire moved away from him toward the nursery stairs. “Then there is no position for me in your household.”
    Mr. Blatherly grabbed her elbow and turned her to face him, pressing her against the wall. “It wasn’t my household I was thinking of, my dear. I would set you up in your own.” He brushed some hair away from her face. “Surely you do not need me to spell this out for you. You are an intelligent woman.” He stepped closer to her, pressing his pelvis into her belly, ensuring she knew exactly what his intentions were.
    When his head began to lower toward hers, his lips puckered in an unmistakable form, Claire deliberately turned her head away from him. “I am betrothed, sir.”
    She heard and felt him smell her hair. “I can offer you more than a fumbling footman, my dear. A year with me will bring you more reward than a lifetime with him.”
    Claire’s indignation was mounting. “Release me at once, sir, or I will scream.”
    A chuckle and a kiss to her neck. “And risk your position, the one you defended so thoroughly moments ago? Just a kiss, sweetheart, and I will let you go for the night.”
    “I will not betray my betrothed, sir.” Her voice was firm and she pushed against his chest.
    “Betrothal means so little in my world, marriage even less.”
    “Yet it is everything in mine,” Claire replied.
    “And in mine,” a soft, dark voice said behind them.
    Claire sagged against the wall in relief. Jacob . “Mr. Blatherly was just leaving, Jacob.”
    The man in question stepped away from her, releasing Claire from the wall. She moved away from him gratefully. Seeing Jacob standing in the nearby shadows calmed her nerves considerably.
    “The fumbling footman, I presume,” Blatherly drawled.
    “I am no footman.” Claire