More Than a Governess. Sarah Mallory
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that she was feeling, ‘But I have imp—impeccable credentials.’
He sat back, folding his arms across his chest and fixing her with a hard stare.
‘You are very young for such a post.’
‘I am one-and-twenty, sir.’
‘What is your experience?’
She clasped her hands in her lap.
‘I was educated in a select seminary in Clapham until I was seventeen years old, and had some teaching of the younger girls while I was there. I learned all the usual accomplishments, and was especially good at languages—a gift from my father, I think. My mother’s demise made it necessary for me to come home and for the past four years I have had the care of my brother and sister.’
‘And what has changed, that you must now seek employment?’
She looked down at her hands. It was not easy to admit her straitened circumstances to a stranger, but it must be done. ‘My father died a month since and all his effects were seized to pay his debts. That is why we are staying with my cousin, until I can find a way to support us all.’
‘And how old are your brother and sister?’
‘My brother is twelve years old, sir. My sister just nine.’ She looked up at the Major, but his face was impassive. She said, with a touch of defiance, ‘I am not looking for sympathy, sir.’
‘I have offered you none. You have been very frank, Miss Wrenn, so let me be equally open with you. I am a widower and have been so for the past eight years. My three children have been in the care of my mother—their grandmother—in Hampshire. Unfortunately, my mother died twelve months ago. Bonaparte had just escaped from Elba and it was impossible for me to leave my regiment at that time, so my sister took the children in; she lives nearby with her own young family. After Waterloo I was eager to settle my affairs and return to England, but it took me until a few months ago to complete my duties and get away.’ He paused and sat forward, resting his arms on the desk. ‘While in the care of my sister, my daughters were taught in the schoolroom with their young cousins, but I was naturally desirous to have the children with me, so I moved them back into Kewhurst, their old home, with a governess to look after them while I completed my business prior to taking them all to Lancashire. To date, as you pointed out to me, Miss Wrenn, I have been singularly unsuccessful in my choice of staff. The first governess lasted less than a week and left the house claiming that the place was haunted. The second I turned off when I discovered her addiction to strong liquor. The third, well, I thought she was settled, so I came on to London to put my affairs in order. I sent for the children to join me, and instead of the governess, they came with their aunt and their old nurse, and the information that the governess had discharged herself.’
‘Oh…dear.’
‘As you say, Miss Wrenn, oh dear.’
‘How old are your daughters, Major?’
‘Gwendoline is twelve years old, and Wilhelmina is eight. They are quite normal, Miss Wrenn—high spirited, perhaps, but not demons.’
‘I do not doubt it. But you said you have three children, sir?’
‘Yes. My son, Giles, is fifteen years old and for the past few years has been under the tutelage of a learned reverend. When I arrived in Hampshire I discovered that this gentleman has accepted a much more attractive position as bear-leader to a young gentleman embarking upon the Grand Tour. However, Giles need not concern you; once we are settled in the north, I will engage another tutor for him.’
‘You said you are leaving town at the end of next week?’
‘Yes, on Friday. I have property in Lancashire that requires my attention. I want the governess to travel with us, and to take charge of the children on the journey.’ Again Juliana found that harsh stare fixed upon her. ‘After what you have heard, are you still eager for this position, Miss Wrenn?’
She sat up and adopted her most businesslike tone.
‘I think it would suit very well, sir, if we can agree terms.’
‘Miss Wrenn, I hardly think you are in a position to make demands….’
‘Then we need discuss this no further.’ She rose. ‘Let me see, today is Saturday, your advertisement should be published on Monday, at the earliest. No doubt your secretary is very efficient; if he interviews the candidates quickly, I suppose it might be possible to engage a suitable person in time to travel on Friday, assuming he has received suitable references, of course…’
He held up his hand.
‘Very well, Miss Wrenn, you have made your point. Can you supply me with suitable references?’
‘I am sure Mr Pettigrew will vouch for my character, and you may apply to Miss Shaftesbury at the Academy in Clapham. As to my education, you can test me, if you so wish.’
‘No, I do not so wish!’ he growled at her. ‘Pray sit down again, madam, and tell me these terms of yours.’
Resuming her seat, she gave him a beaming smile.
‘They are not really so outrageous. I will engage to look after the children, Major Collingham, and educate them for the next four months, that is, to the end of September. I would like you to pay me a lump sum at the end of that time.’
‘How much?’
Juliana took a deep breath and named her price.
‘What?’
She winced, but held her ground.
‘You said you were willing to pay a king’s ransom for this service, sir; I think you will agree that it is hardly that, but it would be sufficient for me to rent a little house in, say, Harrogate or Bath, and support my family by teaching. That is all I ask, Major.’
There was no more she could say. Juliana forced herself to sit still while the Major stared at her, his fingers drumming on the desk top. The remuneration she was asking was high, but discreet enquiries of her cousin had convinced her that the Major could afford twice that sum. Now she only needed to hold her nerve. She smiled to herself; perhaps she had something of her father’s gambling spirit after all. At last he spoke.
‘Very well. I will have Brasher draw up an agreement today.’
She found she had been holding her breath, for it now came out in a long sigh.
‘Thank you, sir. I will not disappoint you.’
‘I trust you will not. I shall make sure you do not get a penny if you do not keep your side of this bargain. One more thing. What do you propose to do with your siblings for the next four months?’
She hesitated.
‘I am hoping to persuade my cousin—’
He shook his head.
‘Pettigrew is a lawyer and a bachelor. I’d wager he knows less than I do about children. You had best bring them with you. They will be companions for Gwen and Minna on the journey, and there will be plenty of room for them at Blackthorpe.’
‘Th-thank you.’
He stood up and came round the desk towards her.
‘Then let us shake hands upon it, and I will send for the children.’
Juliana rose and put out her hand. As he took her fingers in his strong grip she looked up into his face and wondered how she had ever managed to bargain with such a man. At close range he was even more intimidating. His eyes were as hard as granite; his countenance bleak and unforgiving. Dangerous. But even as she began to wonder if perhaps she had made a mistake, she saw a gleam of amusement in his grey eyes.
He said, ‘Now what are you thinking, Miss Wrenn?’
She did not even consider prevaricating.
‘That you would make an implacable enemy, sir.’