Marjorie Farrel by Miss Ware's Refusal Page B

senses do sharpen, and I located you by the rustle of your dress and the smell of your perfume. I understand you have had some contact with a blind person before?”
    “Yes, your grace. In my last situation, in addition to my duties with the children, I was also responsible for reading to an older sister of my employer. She wore dark spectacles, however, and it was easy to remember her ...”
    “Disability?” Simon’s voice combined hauteur and shame, and, yes, even a tinge of self-pity, thought Judith.
    “I was going to say her sightlessness, your grace. She was by no means disabled. In fact, she was only limited in the most obvious ways,” replied Judith, her voice becoming stronger as she thought back to Lady Harriet. “She went blind gradually, you see, and had time to adjust herself.”
    “And what caused her blindness, Miss Ware?” Simon’s tone was still somehow mocking.
    “It was evidently some inherited weakness, since her father had lost his sight in the same way. There was no reason the doctors could discover, and no cure. She had the advantage of knowing it was going to happen, and prepared herself.”
    “Well, Miss Ware, my disability is only temporary. My eyes themselves have not been injured, and the doctors assure me that my eyesight may return spontaneously.”
    Judith gazed ruefully over his head at Francis, who shrugged his shoulders.
    “You are indeed fortunate, your grace. In the meantime you wish a reader to ease the boredom?”
    “Precisely. I find myself wearying of my own company, yet do not wish to go about society until I am myself again. What else can you tell me about yourself besides the fact you have been a governess? And have references, I presume?”
    “Yes, your grace.”
    “Why don’t you sit down, Miss Ware. Francis, you may leave us alone for a few minutes.”
    “Certainly,” he replied, and gave Judith an encouraging look before he left, closing the door behind him.
    “You need not worry about the proprieties, Miss Ware. You are obviously quite safe with me.”
    “I am not at all missish, your grace, nor am I a young lady of the ton. I have been in charge of my life these past few years. And Mr. Whithedd recommended you highly,” Judith answered, a trifle sharply.
    The duke could not help smiling. “I think you have got something backward, Miss Ware. Surely it is that Mr. Whithedd recommended you highly? Is it not usually the applicant who is to be judged?”
    Judith laughed. “Of course, you are correct. Yet although I want a position, I would not work for anyone. I am at last free to make some choices.”
    “And how long have you not been free?”
    “For the past few years, your grace. Since my father died.”
    “You have a brother?”
    “Yes. Stephen has just started working in the City. He is a year younger than I, and has only come down from Oxford. We have been looking forward to being together.”
    “And have you not enjoyed being a governess?”
    “In my last position, yes. Very much. I became quite fond of the whole family and they of me, and in some ways it was hard to leave. My first post, on the other hand, I was relieved to escape.”
    “Oh?” Simon’s eyebrows lifted, questioning. “Don’t tell me. There was a dissolute younger son who was not adverse to paying unwanted attention to a pretty young governess.”
    “Oh, no, your grace,” protested Judith. “I am not that pretty,” she said ruefully. “And it was a dissolute older man, the uncle of the little girl I was teaching.”
    “Ah, a variation on a very old theme.” Simon’s face was more relaxed, and he smiled. “Well, I don’t mean to make fun of your very real trials and tribulations, Miss Ware. But you have a sense of humor about them. I congratulate you, for I seem to have lost mine. If I understand it correctly, you wish this position to supplement your brother’s income?”
    “Yes. I was able to save some money, but I do not wish to be a burden to Stephen. A little