Page 39 of The Governess of My Heart
“I wish our own Mamma was still here. She would always come to our room in the morning and wake us up,” she said with sorrow.
Elizabeth looked at the small girl with sadness.
“All right, we can do something interesting once you finish this lesson. Can you both finish these soon?”
“We will, we will,” the children cried with excitement.
As promised, Elizabeth took them out into the gardens.
“What are we doing here?” Edmund asked with excitement.
“Well, the gardener has given us some seeds. We will plant them right here,” she showed them a spot near a tree.
“This is not exciting,” Edmund replied with disappointment.
“This seed is your responsibility. You have to make sure that it grows into a plant. Once it grows and flowers, I will give you both a gift,” she said.
“I want a gift, Miss Smith,” Emily cried in excitement.
“Then, here you go,” she said, handing them some seeds.
Edmund joined as well. By the time they had finished, both the children enjoyed playing in the soil, but their clothes were muddy.
Elizabeth led them inside the house, and they saw Lady Isabella in the hallway.
“Good God! Why are you both looking like this?” she shrieked.
“Miss Smith, let us play outside,” Emily said proudly.
Elizabeth sent the children along with their nanny to change. Once they went up the stairs, Lady Isabella looked at Elizabeth in anger.
“Who permitted you to take the children out and behave like hooligans?”
“I beg your pardon, Lady Isabella, they were gardening.”
“Gardening? Is that something appropriate for their age? Do you even see how soiled her dress is? What sort of a governess are you?” she cried without hesitation.
Elizabeth controlled her anger.
“I have already discussed it with Lady Martha. She approved taking them outside as a part of my teaching pattern. I agree; her dress got dirty. Next time, I will ensure that they wear something appropriate for such an activity,” she said calmly with a smile.
“You have no right to take them out. You are an employee here, just like the others. I noticed your behavior because you act as if you were a member of the family, and I hear you dine with us too. Don’t you know your limits? Even if offered, you should have declined, considering your status in life.”
“I take meals with the family not because I enjoy the luxury. It allows me to spend more time with the children, which helps me as their governess. Whatever status you may assume I do not have is none of my concern. I suggest you take up your concerns with Lady Martha,” she said, again smiling sarcastically, and walked away.
She witnessed the surprise and shock on Lady Isabella’s face as she left her.
What an arrogant woman.
Inwardly, she felt some gratification in arguing with her as she somehow enjoyed it.
She did not know why, but Lady Isabella reminded her of someone in character and behavior. She also remembered the numerous insults she had faced in the past from someone similar.
Yes! She has a stark resemblance to Mamma.
Chapter 14
Georgiana was a frequent visitor to Ashton Park even after Lord Ashton and Lady Isabella arrived. Lady Isabella initially thought the young girl called on frequently to enjoy her company but later realized that Georgiana favored Elizabeth.
