More Than a Governess. Sarah Mallory
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I believe they should be allowed to express themselves, and have room to play.’ She felt a flush stealing into her cheeks and she added quickly, ‘Not that I expect such considerations to affect our journey.’
‘I am very glad to hear it,’ growled her employer.
‘However,’ she continued, ‘the children are very young, and if they need to stop a little more frequently I shall not hesitate to bring it to your attention, Major. But it is by no means certain; they may prove themselves to be excellent travellers.’
Major Collingham stepped closer, frowning down at her. ‘Let me make myself plain, Miss Wrenn. The journey is set. It is up to you to ensure my girls are looked after at each stage. Keep them amused, by all means, but you will not bother me with trifling concerns.’
She gave him back look for look, refusing to be intimidated by his menacing tone. ‘Of course not, sir. I should not dream of troubling you with trifles.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘But?’ he said. ‘I feel sure you are about to add a rider to that last remark.’
Juliana regarded him with an innocent stare. ‘We are both concerned with the children’s welfare, Major. If that is in question, then of course I will bring it to your attention.’
‘By Gad, Damon, she’s got you there,’ murmured Sir Richard. ‘But you have the right of it, Miss Wrenn. Damon will like nothing better than to know his children are being cared for.’
One glance at the Major’s tight-lipped face convinced Juliana that at that moment he would like nothing better than to strangle her. With a curt nod he moved away and began to converse with his sister.
Juliana turned to Sir Richard. ‘Oh dear,’ she said ruefully. ‘Do you think I shall be turned off before we even leave London?’
‘Not a bit of it!’ he reassured her. ‘Damon would be the first to tell you he knows nothing about children. He will welcome your advice, despite his frowns. He is not nearly so harsh as he would have us believe.’
As there was no one to overhear them, she murmured, ‘Not really the devil he is named, perhaps?’
‘Oh, so you’ve heard that tale, have you? Well, you may rest easy, Miss Wrenn. Collingham is a true gentleman. As a member of his household you fall under his protection, and he’ll take dashed good care of you, take my word for it.’
Chapter Six
The following morning Juliana sallied forth upon her shopping expedition, accompanied by the four children. No sooner had the Collingham carriage departed than another, much less elegant equipage pulled up and the occupants were shown to Lady Varley’s sitting room.
‘Madame Fleurie!’ Lady Varley came out of her bedchamber, her eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘I had not expected to see you so soon. You have made up the gowns already?’
‘We ’ave been working through ze night, madame, but ze primrose muslin is of such a complexity that I need madame to try it on, if madame would be so kind?’
‘Oh, very well, but you must be quick, for I am very busy today.’
Lady Varley called for her maid and allowed herself to be draped in the soft fabric, which had been cut and partially sewn. Madame Fleurie set her minion to pin up the hem of the gown.
‘It ees a very becoming colour for you, madame,’ she said. ‘If I may mention it, my lady, when you did me the honour to visit me earlier this week, one of my assistants made a mistake: she gave one of your leetle girls a fashion doll. It was an error, madame, and I have reprimanded her, naturellement, for you see this was a special doll, dressed expressly for another of my clients. Madame, I am desolée, but I must have thees doll. Do you think—would it be possible for me to take it with me today?’
Lady Varley looked blank for a moment, then she nodded and instructed her maid to go to the schoolroom. ‘You are to find a doll.’
‘A leetle wooden lady, dressed in cherry brocade, à la Pompadour,’ added Madame Fleurie.
‘Yes, well, go and find it, and bring it here directly.’
‘Madame, you find me very grateful. If eet was for myself I would give your little children all my dolls, but this one is for a very special client, a very exacting lady…’ She let the words trail away, giving the impression that not all her clients were as accommodating as Lady Varley.
‘If you please, ma’am,’ said the maid, coming back into the room, ‘there is no doll in the schoolroom, nor in the children’s bedrooms either. And Miss Wilhelmina and Miss Gwendoline have gone out with the new governess.’
Lady Varley shrugged. ‘No matter, I will ask the children about it when they come back. Now, can we get on?’
The fitting had just finished and the gown was being packed away when a footman entered with a letter for Lady Varley. She snatched it from the tray, her brow clearing as she recognised her husband’s distinctive scrawl.
‘It is from Sir James. At last. I have been waiting to hear how the family goes on without me.’ She looked at Madame Fleurie. ‘I take it we have done, now?’
‘Indeed, madame, thank you for your time.’ She ushered her assistant out of the room, stopping at the door to turn back. ‘And if I may remind my lady, you will not forget the doll?’
‘Yes, yes, I will see to it,’ responded Lady Varley, impatiently waving her away.
She barely waited for the door to close before she tore open the letter and immersed herself in news from her home.
Juliana returned from her shopping trip feeling that she had achieved a great deal. She had made her purchases and placed orders for several books at Hatchards in Piccadilly, but, more than that, she thought that her charges had begun to accept her. Wilhelmina was no trouble at all; she and Amy had become firm friends. By the time they returned to Burlington Street, Wilhelmina was chattering away to Juliana as though she had known her all her life. Gwendoline was more reserved, but she had been perfectly well mannered during their excursion and Juliana was encouraged to think that the child was unbending a little towards her.
With the move to the north so imminent, Juliana did not attempt to establish a routine to the afternoon lesson, but chose instead to show the children maps and pictures of the north country, well aware that such a long journey to a place they had not seen for many years must be exciting and somewhat unnerving for her charges. She asked Mr Brasher for details of their route, and used the guidebook she had bought to describe the various towns they would pass through.
Juliana dined in the schoolroom again with the children, although Giles did not join them. He dined instead with his father and aunt, and Juliana found him in boisterous good spirits when she brought the girls to the drawing room later. He teased Wilhelmina about her freckles and then drew Gwendoline to one side, whispering to her to make her giggle. Juliana was aware of Lady Varley’s frowning looks and knew she would be expected to act. She waited until she was sure the Major was engrossed in conversation with his sister, then walked over to the youngsters. Giles rose as she approached.
‘Gwendoline, you know how impolite it is to be whispering thus. If it is such a good joke, then let us all share it.’ She spoke quietly, but her words made the girl scowl.
‘It is no crime to talk to my brother!’
‘No, indeed.’ Juliana’s smile embraced them both. ‘But when you are in company, you are insulting those around you by such secretive behaviour. Master Giles must know that, even if you are not quite old enough to appreciate it.’
Her mild rebuke hit its target. Gwendoline flushed and her brother muttered an apology.
The entrance of the tea tray caused a distraction.