Page 41 of The Governess of My Heart
“Oh! Yes, were you saying something?”
“I asked whether you want to come to Pemberley with me today. The children do not have lessons tomorrow so you could stay for the night. I even asked Lady Martha, and she agreed.”
“I do not think I can come today. Maybe I can accompany Lady Martha when she visits you,” Elizabeth said, not comfortable with the idea of visiting Georgiana in her estate.
She may want me to visit her, but her brother may not want an employee of Ashton Park in his home. I wonder why he has restricted her from having other visitors except the Ashtons.
Georgiana pressed her many times, but Elizabeth declined her request. After dinner, Georgiana returned to Pemberley disappointed.
A couple of weeks passed peacefully. Elizabeth was glad Lord Ashton did not neglect his children because of the newly married life. She noticed that the children were happier after the arrival of their father.
Lady Isabella hardly interacted with her, and if she did, she had something to complain about. Elizabeth knew she did not expose her incivility when others were present.
One evening, Lady Martha sat along with Elizabeth in the drawing room.
“I am still waiting, my dear,” she said.
“I do not understand, madam.”
“I am still waiting for you to come to me about the tough time my daughter-in-law is giving you.”
Elizabeth smiled.
“Miss Smith, do not think I am oblivious to the hostility you have been experiencing from her. Why don’t you say anything?”
“Honestly, it has not concerned me. Maybe it is because I experienced far worse while I grew up in Hertfordshire.”
“From your mother?”
“Unfortunately, yes!”
“Mrs. Gardiner did inform me about the way you were treated there. Well, you are not in Hertfordshire anymore. In my house, I do not stand disrespect in any form. You are under my care, and I know you can handle the circumstances, but I will not allow it anymore.”
“I presume you have already had a conversation with her,” Elizabeth said, guessing.
“Yes, I did. I expressed my thoughts on the matter quite firmly this morning,” Lady Martha said.
“Do not mistake me. But you should have waited for me to raise it as a concern. More than concern about my welfare, I feel you used the situation to your advantage.”
For the first time in the many weeks she had been staying in Ashton Park, Elizabeth noticed displeasure on her employer’s face.
“I do not understand you,” she said bluntly with a hint of anger.
“I am merely stating that you used her treatment towards me as an excuse to ascertain something she already knows.”
“And what might that be?” Lady Martha asked sternly.
“That you hold the ultimate power in Ashton Park,” Elizabeth said.
She knew she was being brutally honest about her opinion on the matter.
To her surprise, Lady Martha laughed.
“You certainly know the art of angering someone one moment and making them laugh the very next, Miss Smith. Are you not happy that my daughter-in-law will be kinder to you going forward?”
“Madam, I have been employed to teach two wonderful children. I have my head and hands full with responsibilities as a governess. If something is affecting my duty, I would never let it pass without informing you. In my opinion, Lady Isabella does not favor me as the governess. Maybe she doubts my capabilities, and I would rather prove her wrong than waste my time by waging a war with her.”
Lady Martha smiled at Elizabeth’s maturity at such a young age.
