Sarah Mallory - More Than a Governess

At two o’clock Juliana made her way to the schoolroom, Thomas and Amy hard on her heels. As she reached the door, Gwendoline’s voice could be heard quite clearly coming from the other side.

‘But we do not want her, Nurse! Why should we have a governess now, what can she teach us while we are travelling? Why, if she tries to make me read in the carriage, I shall be sick! It would be much better to wait until we get to Lancashire—Papa can hire a proper governess for us there.’

Juliana grasped the door handle and rattled it before opening the door. She moved into the room, smiling as if she had heard nothing of Gwendoline’s tirade.

The young Misses Collingham were standing on each side of their nurse, an elderly, rosy-cheeked woman with curly wisps of snow-white hair peeping out around the edges of her cap. Juliana thought she looked a good-humoured creature, but just now her face displayed a mixture of mortification and embarrassment as she realised her charge’s outburst must have been overheard.

Juliana gave her a brief smile and turned her attention to the children. They, meanwhile, had realised that Juliana had not come alone, and were staring open-mouthed at Thomas and Amy.

‘I dare say your papa forgot to tell you that I would be bringing two travelling companions for our journey.’ She led her siblings forward and performed the introductions. Gwendoline and Thomas greeted each other with frosty politeness, while the two younger children merely stared solemnly at one another. An awkward silence ensued and Juliana was about to break it when Amy spoke up.

‘I have a doll, too,’ she said, staring at the handsomely dressed little lady that Wilhelmina was clutching before her. ‘She’s sitting on my bed at the moment. She is called Sarah. What do you call yours?’

Wilhelmina hugged her doll even closer. ‘Her name is Lady Arabella,’ she said.

Amy stared at the wooden figure in its brocade gown. ‘She’s very beautiful.’

Wilhelmina held it out. ‘Would you like to hold her?’

Amy glanced at Juliana, who nodded, then stepped forward to take the doll and the two girls moved off together, talking in low tones.

‘Well now,’ murmured Nurse with a smile.

‘A good start,’ agreed Juliana. ‘Thomas, perhaps you would help me by making a list of the books on the shelf over there. I am sure Nurse will help you to find a pen and paper. Miss Gwendoline, shall we sit down, and you can tell me just what you have learned with your last governess.’

Shortly before the dinner hour, Juliana was summoned to Major Collingham’s study. At the door she paused to shake out the skirts of her grey silk gown, the only mourning gown she owned, then she knocked and went in. Major Collingham was seated at his desk, but he rose as she entered. He did not smile as she approached, confirming her belief that his request had not been one of courtesy, more a command. He was dressed for dinner in a plain dark coat and biscuit-coloured knee-breeches, the snowy whiteness of his shirt and necktie contrasting sharply with the black cloth of his coat and his equally black hair. He motioned her to a chair.

‘I am sorry I was not here to receive you. I trust you have everything you need?’

‘Yes, Major, thank you. Our rooms are very comfortable, and more luxurious than I had expected.’

‘It was more convenient to put you and your family together. After all, it is only for a few days.’

‘Have no fear, Major, I shall not forget my position here.’

‘Is that comment designed to put me in my place?’

Her eyes flew to his face.

‘Not at all, sir, I—’

‘If I sounded impolite, I apologise,’ he said bluntly. ‘I am not in the habit of making pretty speeches. I understand that you have made your brother and sister known to my girls.’

‘Yes. The older ones are still painfully polite, but Miss Wilhelmina and Amy are already firm friends.’

‘Good. You may, of course, include your brother and sister in your lessons, if you wish.’

‘Thank you, Major. I would rather they were occupied and under my eye.’

He nodded. ‘Brasher tells me you signed the contract. Did you read it first?’

‘Of course.’

‘And?’

‘The terms are very generous. It is good of you to allow either party to terminate the agreement upon two weeks notice, should it prove necessary.’

‘That was Brasher’s doing. I never contemplate failure, Miss Wrenn.’

Her chin went up.

‘No more do I, sir.’ She hesitated, recalling Gwendoline’s hostility towards her. ‘However, if it should prove impossible for me to win the children’s regard, I should not wish to inflict myself upon them for the full four months.’

‘Then you may be sure that you would not be paid for the full four months.’

A scorching glance accompanied these words, and Juliana had no doubt the Major had used such a look to make young soldiers quail. She had to remind herself that she was no raw recruit to be intimidated.

‘I would expect to be paid for work carried out, Major. Mr Brasher assures me that you treat your employees fairly, and I am told you are an honest man.’

‘Oh, so you have been making enquiries about me?’

‘Of course, since I am entrusting the care of myself and my family to you.’

A faint gleam of approval lit his eyes.

‘Then welcome to my household, Miss Wrenn.’ He got up and went to a side-table where a selection of decanters and glasses rested on a silver tray. ‘Will you take a little wine with me, madam, to seal our bargain?’

‘Yes sir, thank you, for there is something that I wish to discuss with you.’

He threw her a frowning glance, but said nothing until he had given her a full glass.

She sipped her wine. It was smooth and fruity, nothing like the weak potions served in Mr Pettigrew’s house. It confirmed her opinion that Cousin Alfred watered down his wines to make them go further.

‘What is it you wanted to discuss with me, Miss Wrenn?’

He had returned to the side-table to fill a glass for himself.

‘Oh, I beg your pardon. Yes, I know I said I wanted to be paid with a lump sum at the end of our agreement, but my visit to the schoolroom today has revealed a sad lack of books and games for the children. Oh, there are plenty of religious and educational tracts, but I need to make a few purchases if I am to keep the children amused, especially on a long journey.’

‘Very well, madam. See Brasher tomorrow morning and tell him how much you need. You may also have my carriage for your shopping expedition. Brasher will arrange it, if you tell him what time you wish to go out.’

‘Thank you.’ Her eyes were straying around the room, and they alighted upon a small painting on the wall: three children at play in a garden. ‘Oh, is that your family, sir?’

‘Yes. My mother had it done for me, when I was in the army. I think it was to remind me that I had a family.’

She rose and went over to the picture. It hung on the wall above a console table, upon which rested a glass case of miniatures. She leaned forward to study the figures more closely.

‘They were much younger, then, of course,’ said the Major, ‘but I think it is a good likeness.’

‘Yes, indeed. They are all handsome children, sir.’

He came to stand behind her.

‘Giles takes after his mother. As does Wilhelmina.’

‘They are fairer, certainly, while Gwendoline has your own dark colouring—oh!’ She turned back, but he was so close that she found herself trapped between his body and the table. She stared at his neckcloth, at the cleft in his strong chin, then raised her eyes to his mouth and found herself wondering what it would be like to be kissed by him. Her heart leapt to her throat as the Major reached out and took her arms. What was it Lawrence had said about him, a devil in the bedroom? She felt scandalised, elated and frightened all in a moment.