The Governess and the Beast: Blind Cupid Series, #2

Table of Contents

Summary

The Blind Cupid Series

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Epilogue

Author’s Note

More books by Karyn Gerrard

Author Biography

Sneak Peek of The Copper and the Madam (Blind Cupid #3)

Summary

With a new name and an eagerness to begin a new life, Lila Jenner answers an ad for a governess and embarks on an adventure she did not expect. Hiding secrets and a past she longs to forget, she is disappointed to find out she has been employed to be a companion of a different sort: To a man who embodies both beauty and the beast.

Living in a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea cliff, Lord Simon Wolstenholme is cloistered from society. Simon realizes that he’s been alone too long. Horribly scarred from battle wounds, the baron lives up to his infamous title, The Beast of Stonecliff, in appearance and attitude.

A storm rages outside, but it cannot compare to the clash of emotions between a lonely man and a distrustful woman. Lila and Simon bargain and agree to a brief dalliance. Secret desires are revealed, and hearts are laid bare. Many obstacles lay ahead of them until they admit their true feelings, though pride could destroy the fairy tale before it begins.

The Blind Cupid Series

Was Cupid blind?

Madam Rea chose the name The Blind Cupid for her brothel because she knew love would never take root in the den of sin. Rea and her employees hide tragic pasts and devastating secrets while remaining cool and detached with regard to their carnal dealings.

But Desmond, Lila, and Rea cannot deny the desire they feel or the fact that their hidden emotions and passions are awakened. Can they learn to trust again and let love into their lives?

~~~~~

The Blind Cupid trilogy was initially published in 2012-2013 with a digital publisher. As rights reverted according to the terms of the contracts, I’ve completely revised and rewritten the three books and even changed book one’s title.

Book one is the novella, The Spinster and Mr. Glover. (The Revised Edition)

Book two is the novella, The Governess and the Beast, and takes place five years before book one.

Book three, The Copper and the Madam, is a longer novella and picks up immediately after book one ends.

When I wrote book one in 2012, I had intended it to be something other than a series. I decided when revising to keep the original timeline. It works for me.

Acknowledgments

To my own hero, thank you, Mr. Gerrard, for your continued support and encouragement.

Thanks to Cora Bignardi of Cora Graphics, who designed the three beautiful covers for the Blind Cupid Series.

Read a sneak peek of The Copper and the Madam, Blind Cupid #3, and the conclusion to this trilogy at the end of this story. An epilogue in book three checks in on all the series’ characters.

Chapter 1

Herne Bay, England

May 1892

Jane Eyre. 

The Gothic Bronte novel published almost a half-century ago filled Hortense Jennings’s thoughts. Besides the book, she had nothing else to think about except that her life was about to change—and for the better. She hoped.

At long last. 

Much had gone wrong for more years than she cared to admit, and not of her own doing. 

Fate could indeed be cruel. 

But fate, for once, benefited her, and because of it, Hortense was looking forward to a new beginning. 

The conveyance rumbled toward her ultimate destination. She pulled a scrap of paper from her reticule and again gazed at it.

Lord Simon Wolstenholme, Baron Stonecliff

Stonecliff Manor

The man certainly possessed a posh-sounding name and estate. At least Hortense had the presence of mind to verify his existence and title. Her former employer had a copy of Debrett’s Peerage, so she discovered that the barony went back a few centuries. How impressive. This particular baron would be her new employer, and while in his employ, she would serve as governess to a boy seven years of age, his ward. 

Hence the thoughts of Jane Eyre, since the fictional character was a governess. 

The baron had revealed very little during their brief correspondence. She knew nothing about him besides what she read in the peerage book. 

Until today.

A chatty tavern maid had initiated a casual conversation at her previous coach stop. When Hortense had informed the older woman of the purpose of her journey, the waitress pulled up a chair, eager to fill her in on the mysterious and reclusive baron. 

Apparently, the man spent his time cloistered away in a crumbling, moldy, medium-sized castle perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the North Sea. 

Gothic setting indeed. Yet another similarity to Jane Eyre.

The toothless harridan whispered gory details of how he had obtained his disfigurement in the latest Anglo-Burmese War. With cruel enthusiasm, she’d explained that the locals referred to him as The Beast of Stonecliff and that he had been the topic of children’s choice since last All Hallows Eve. 

The woman had leaned in, whispering her gossip in Hortense’s ear. She was curious enough to keep listening. It was shameful of her to engage in the local tattle, but the more information she had, the better.

Oh, aye. The Baron had been one of the most handsome men in the region. All the young ladies of whatever class cast an eye in his direction. He was a fine catch. The tavern maid clucked and tsked. Now, he is nothing more than a deformed, impotent shell of his former self. A monster. The Beast of Stonecliff. Too bloody bad. He’s rich too, but not rich enough for any woman to want to look at him over tea and toast every morning; I’ll be bound.

Impotent? How the woman managed to find out that piece of salacious gossip? Who knows?

I doubt I will have many dealings with the baron. I am to be governess to his ward.

Aye. The boy. He has a ward, sure enough.

That was good to know. And if the baron was scarred, ugly, and gelded, all the better. No, she would not be Jane Eyre to his Edward Rochester. Not that she wanted anything to do with any man, regardless of his appearance or station. Her recent past had cured her of any romantic notions.

Can I fetch you another cup of tea, lass? The maid asked.

Hortense glanced at the clock on the wall. Yes, thank you. I have time for another.

I’ll bring you a few biscuits, no charge, lass. Who knows what kind of food you’ll be served up there? It’s a fair piece from town.

After that brief reprieve at the inn, it was time to continue on the last part of her journey. She had switched to a carriage that Baron Stonecliff had sent for her. The driver was an unfriendly man whose only response to her inquiries had been a barely audible grunt. After loading her small trunk, he’d assisted her up the steps, slamming the door before she had even taken her seat. 

With a snap of the reins, they were off. As the maid had said, Stonecliff Manor was not close to town, as they had been traveling for quite some time. The carriage hit a rut and nearly threw her to the floor. What incompetence of the lout of a coachman; he was driving far too fast for the wretched weather conditions. Hortense had tried to bang on the roof twice to gain his attention, but the man ignored her.

After straightening her bonnet, she slid to the opposite side of the bench. It was cold, and there was not even a warming brick for her feet or plush cushions for her comfort. Hortense pulled the collar of her wool coat tighter about her neck to ward off the chill. She had hoped for a few luxuries considering she would be working for an aristocrat.

At least this ride would be the shortest part of her journey. The train would have been a viable choice for the first leg of the trip—the distance not all that far—but Hortense had decided at the last minute to travel by this particular mode of transportation to save a few shillings. 

Her funds had grown dangerously low, and the few pounds sent to her by the baron for a train ticket and other incidentals were put to better use for clothes and food. She laid her hand briefly on her rumbling stomach. Perhaps she should have ordered a meal at the inn. The biscuits had done little to stem her hunger. Surely this baron would muster up a meal for her.

Pushing aside the drape, she observed rain falling from a churning gray sky. Arriving at Stonecliff under ominous clouds, with stinging cold rain, would undoubtedly complete the Gothic picture.

The surrounding landscape was bleak and desolate, which matched her mood of late. But enough of self-indulgent thoughts.

This would indeed be a fresh start. She deserved it.

With a sudden lurch, the carriage turned up a sloping, mountainous road. The horses’ hooves pounded and strained through the gathering muck as the wind lashed the coach. 

Another ten minutes passed, and the manor castle finally came into view. 

It was a crumbling monstrosity from another time and place altogether. 

The black and gray stone structure sat in moldering darkness; no flicker of light escaped from any window. No trees or green foliage on the surrounding property at all. No garden, no singing birds, and no sign of life. 

As silent as the grave, and no doubt smelled of death as well. 

Even the heavens seemed to make it a melancholy place because as they approached, the skies darkened, and the rain intensified. Or perhaps it was her overactive imagination.

The carriage pulled up to the entrance and came to an abrupt halt. The driver jumped down, grunting at the impact, and opened the door. After he unfolded the iron steps, he held out his gloved hand. Hortense took it and stepped directly into a mud puddle. She shot the man a mutinous stare, but he did not look her way. 

Since he stood in shadow, all she could make out were cold obsidian eyes and the raindrops that had gathered on his impossibly long lashes. The rest of his visage was wrapped in a black wool scarf, making him appear somewhat mysterious. 

The driver was tall and broad-shouldered, that much she could ascertain. A large hat with a wide brim covered his head, giving him a somewhat piratical appearance. All that was missing was the gold earring and a sword.

He dropped her hand and pounded on the wooden, medieval door. It creaked open, and a man she supposed served as the butler held up a soot-darkened, dim lantern. 

The governess, see her settled, the driver growled, his voice muffled through the scarf. 

He disappeared into the gathering mist with a flick of his long, dark cape, which scattered rain droplets in an arc. 

Blast it all; what have I got myself into?

Chapter 2

The cavernous interior did little to raise Hortense’s spirits because, as she surmised, the inside had fallen into disrepair as much as the property’s exterior. Signs of neglect were everywhere. Dust, sparse furnishings, a frayed and faded tapestry, so faded she could not even make out the design. The dour silence of the butler, who led the way up the creaking stairs to her quarters, heightened the eeriness.

Surprisingly, her room was less dark and foreboding than the rest of the residence. Rose-patterned wallpaper and pink bedding brightened the area, giving it a welcoming coziness and a decided feminine appearance. A fire crackled in the hearth casting a warm dancing glow across the ceiling, and well-placed lit oil lamps added to the golden radiance filling the room. 

With a brisk nod, the butler departed without speaking a word. Moments later, he delivered her small trunk to her room.

Alone, she finally unpacked her paltry possessions and changed out of her damp traveling clothes. Hortense laid them by the welcoming fire. As she placed some of her clothing in the bureau, she wondered if waiting until she met the baron and his ward was prudent before becoming too comfortable. 

It wouldn’t take much to gather her few belongings for a prompt departure.

 Primly dressed in different shades of dark