Page 20 of The Royal Governess
Oh, wow.Thinking back to recent legal cases, I carefully considered my next words. “In America there is no need to pay for such information.” Yep, I was still talking like him.
“This is a woman I work with at the high school where I teach. A guidance counselor who helps students make wise choices. She would be happy to help me with this as a professional courtesy. But I need access to the Internet to contact Mary Carmichael.”
And I also want to text my girlfriends about just how hot you are.
What was wrong with me?
“I see.” But I wasn’t sure he actually saw at all. “Your library doesn’t have many books dealing with American literary history.”
He pursed his lips. His very full lips with that cute little tuck in the corners. “Probably correct.”
“So we need access to wi-fi.”
When he slammed one fist on the desk, I jerked. “It will be done.”
I struggled not to smile.
“I will have Milo take care of it. He has the password.”
“Thank you.” Afraid he might change his mind, I hustled out of there. Were people supposed to curtsy when they left his presence? My elbow throbbed. I couldn’t risk it.
That night when I returned from dinner, a note was shoved under my door with a password of symbols that did not make sense. I opened my laptop and signed on. To my astonishment the Internet opened up. I exhaled. This access meant I was no longer stranded. Everything would be fine.
How little I knew then.
6
The days settled into a schedule. My phone alarm rang just as the sun rose over the misty fields. After a quick breakfast, I went to the stables for my lesson with Rudolfo. Lexi preferred to sleep late. Fine with me. All these meals together were beginning to wear on me. While I agonized over what Lexi might say, I had to watch my own tongue. Ama’s visible disapproval was sometimes heavier than the pasta sauce.
The new schedule also had its high notes. To my delight, Gregorio finishedThe Great Gatsbywithin a couple of days.
“What did you think?” This book was one of my very favorites. Usually my students loved it too. Lexi, of course, would never admit she loved anything that I appreciated.
“So why didn't Nick go to Jay Gatsby’s parties if he lived next door?” Gregorio’s innocent question almost made me laugh.
“Nick was Daisy's cousin, which is why Jay cultivates a friendship with him. Gatsby wants Nick to speak highly of him.” I could see that Gregorio was mulling this over.
“But why didn't this Jay Gatsby marry Daisy in the first place? Why did she marry that terrible man instead?”
“Is Tom Buchanan terrible?” I wanted to hear this from Gregorio’s lips.
“Oh, I think so.” He looked to Lexi for agreement. “He has money and he brags about it.”
“And he’s mean to Myrtle,” Lexi threw in.
How could I structure this so that Gregorio would understand the class differences? “In the beginning, Jay can’t marry Daisy because he has no money. All the men wore military uniforms because of the war so Daisy doesn’t get that. But she’s used to living in…a castle.” Now that was a bit of a stretch.
“Oh, he was like a serf?” Gregorio's eyes deepened with understanding. Sometimes the similarity between father and son was creepy. “Now I get it.”
He “got it”?Were Lexi’s modern phrases making their way into Gregorio’s speech? “Jay Gatsby becomes very wealthy, hoping to win Daisy's heart again.”
“But Daisy is married now,” Lexi joined in. “And this Tom Buchanan is mean. He isn’t even nice to that puppy he gives Myrtle.”
“Good point, Lexi. On the other hand, Gatsby will do anything for Daisy. He adores her.”
“But Tom is not faithful to his wife,” Lexi grumbled.
“No, he is not. And that is terrible.” Gregorio shook his head.
