Page 38 of The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess
I have a job to do and gazing at jewels will take me time.
Avoiding the box, she then sat on a plain wooden chair and took out a thimble and needle. A memory of doing this at the orphanage for many Sundays took her and it went before another, chilling memory.
Her fingers stilled while threading the needle and her hands dropped to her lap.
I was cold, so cold, there was nothing around me and I felt alone, so alone and scared. The thick bushes I hid under were wet with rain but I did not dare come out. I did not know what was out there but I knew it would hurt me. I knew I had to get away. I had to run.
Caroline felt her fingers trembling and she forced herself back out of her memories. The stocking in her lap needed darning so she began to stitch the small frays closed. She sat there, working on pair after pair of stockings and shook her head.
I have hemmed over thirteen pairs now…and from one look to that pile there are many more. An orphan would be privileged to have three sets of these, some of these are barely worn.
It slightly pained her to see the waste but then, that was how the rich lived. She sat darning stocking and chemises to the point her fingers started to go numb and her leg had fallen asleep, but she was determined to finish her task.
Slowly, the pile decreased and the rumbles in her stomach grew but she ignored them. When the pile was done, and the items of clothing folded, only then did she allow herself a sigh of relief. Replacing the sewing materials, Caroline allowed her eyed to drift to the box on the dresser. It was there, open like a beguiling temptation, but she once again stopped herself from touching any of them.
Glad that she had completed her tasks, Caroline glimpsed out the window and felt surprised that it was nearly evening.Mrs. Willow will chain me to the kitchen if I miss any more meals.
Leaving the suite, she descended the stairs and went to report to the Duchess.
“It is finished, Your Grace,” Caroline said quietly, as she was drained, “All is done.”
“Hm,” The Duchess replied, “I will be the judge of that.”
“Please excuse me, Your Grace,” Caroline spoke. “It is late and I need to find sustenance.”
“You are excused,” the Duchess waved.
Curtsying, she left the room and went directly to the servant’s wing and then to the kitchen. Thankfully, Mrs. Willow was not there, so there was no lecture. Even more, thankfully, settled on the table was a plate of food. She dragged up the strength to put some water on for tea and rested her pounding head on the cool stone wall.
She was about to make herself the tea when a maid, with a decidedly bloodless face, ran inside, “Miss Robins, Her Grace is calling for you.”
Caroline felt confused, “What is it about?
There was no time to answer as the Duchess barged into the room brandishing the jewelry box. “You wretch! What game are you playing, Miss Robins?”
Caroline physically jerked at the harsh words. “E-excuse me?”
The lady shoved the box in her face and snarled, “Look, there is my necklace and my earrings, but my brooch is gone. Where is it?”
The governess stuttered, “I do not know, You—”
“You stole it!” the Duchess seethed, “I know you pilfered it, you worthless orphan chit. Now, give it back!”
Caroline backed up with fearful steps and sweat was breaking out on her face. “I s-swear on my life, Your Grace, I saw the open box, but I only looked inside. I did not lay a hand on any of the jewelry. I would never touch your property.”
The enraged scream the Duchess let out sounded as though she was being mauled. Caroline nearly got hit in the face with the flying jewel case. She backed up so far that her hands were seared by the still hot stove.
Still, her pain was unparalleled to the wrath coming from the Duchess. Caroline was actively trembling in her slippers.
“It is you! I know it is you! If you give me that brooch by nine o’clock this night then you will be able to walk out of this manor willingly, but if not, I will have the butler throw your treacherous self out! Get out of my presence you lying wench!”
Caroline turned and blindly fled.
* * *
She could not help it—the tears came rushing down over her cheeks. Her stomach was in knots and the barely remembered hunger was not the cause. How could she stand this abuse and those false accusations? She had never touched those gems! But then, there was no one to vouch for her. She had been alone in the room for hours upon hours.
The silence in the library was only broken by her hiccups and short, sharp, staccato breaths. The handkerchief she had was damp through and through and could not hold much more wetness, but the tears kept coming. Every passing moment brought the hand of the clock closer to nine o’clock and with the fleeing time, Caroline’s faith waned to nothing.
