Page 38 of The Governess of My Heart
“They have put in a lot of hard work, sir. They deserve all the credit.”
“These drawings are wonderful, too,” he said, admiring the rainbow his daughter had drawn.
“Miss Smith allows us to draw at the end of each lesson. Papa, she even taught me to draw a tulip,” she cried with excitement.
Her father kissed her lovingly.
“It looks beautiful, my dear. I am so happy to see your progress. Now, I can give you all the gifts I brought,” he said.
He thanked Elizabeth again and took the children.
“I know you were apprehensive about meeting my son; do not worry. He trusts me with the children, and I can make decisions when he is not around,” Lady Martha said.
“I was. I am still worried about the consequences if your son becomes aware of who I really am.”
“Do not worry. Even if I tell him, he will share the same sentiments about the matter as I do. But I cannot say the same about his wife,” she said with a hint of annoyance.
“I understand,” Elizabeth replied.
Lady Isabella did not join them for dinner, and Lord Ashton informed them that she was tired. The children did not seem to miss her company.
Elizabeth observed their bond with their father and realized why they missed him so much.
Lord Ashton asked her many questions about her interests, wanting to know more about her. Elizabeth realized that he had never asked about her connections in town. She assumed his mother had asked him not to.
“Well, I am glad you took the position here, Miss Smith. I hope you are comfortable here.”
“Very much, sir,” she replied gratefully.
“So, Edmund tells me Georgiana is here. Why is Fitzwilliam still in town?”
“He mentioned in his letter that he had some important business to take care of. I cannot imagine how lonely the poor girl must feel. She stayed here a couple of days ago and enjoys being in the company of Miss Smith.”
“I am certain she does.”
Conversation flowed steadily, and Elizabeth felt at ease. He somehow reminded her of Sir William. His demeanor was friendly, and she could see that he was kind-hearted, resembling his mother.
The day passed swiftly, and they did not see the couple for supper. Elizabeth assumed they took their meal in their chambers. The next morning, Elizabeth sat with the children for their lessons, and Edmund seemed disinterested.
“Your mind seems to be elsewhere today, Edmund. What is the matter? Are you feeling unwell?” she asked.
“Mamma scolded me this morning.”
“What did you do?”
“I did not do anything. I was playing with Papa in his room, and she scolded me for disturbing him.”
Elizabeth did not know what to make of his words.
“Did you disturb him?”
“No. Papa said I could play in his room for a while. Then, when he left for his bath, Mamma came in and said that I was a bad boy because I was disturbing him. But I did not disturb him; I was just playing,” he said with tears in his eyes.
“Come here,” she called him and wiped his tears.
“You did not do anything wrong. Maybe she did not know your father permitted you to play in his room. You are a very good boy and should not cry for such things,” she said, pacifying him.
Emily watched both of them with displeasure.
