And in the meantime, she would make every effort to be of value.
Having found this position advertised in the papers, Victoria immediately applied to work for the Earl of Hanover as a governess to his daughter. The child, apparently eleven years of age, would be a good fit for Victoria, she felt.
Of the widower, she knew nothing, but she hoped that he was a good man. She hoped that this would be a good fit for her and that all would be well now that she had this home to call her place of employment.
And certainly, work as a governess was better than that of a housekeeper or maid or any other thing that she might find herself doing. She had considered the possibility of such positions, but knowing that she was capable of educating gave her an advantage that she was grateful for.
Truly, Victoria deemed herself fortunate despite the circumstances that had led her to this position.
Nevertheless, as her feet trod up the stairs and to the door of the estate, she could not help but wonder if this had all been a mistake. Was she making the right decision? Did she want to be a governess? Did she even have a choice in the matter?
A housekeeper appeared at the door to greet her as the coachman went past with her bags.
“Miss Jamison, I presume?” she asked.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied.
“My name is Delia Franklin. I am the housekeeper here at the estate,” the young woman explained.
“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Franklin. I am glad to be here,” she replied politely.
“And we are glad to have you. The Earl of Hanover has a lovely daughter and it is certainly time that she has someone to tutor her. We have been quite concerned about her education, but now that you are present, all shall be well,” Delia said.
Victoria nodded, believing that for her own sake this was indeed the best solution.
“And you are happy working here?” she asked frankly.
“Oh yes, Miss Jamison. This is a wonderful place of employment. I have had a great number of friends take up work in grand estates like this one and they have had horrible masters. But the Earl is a good man,” she remarked.
Victoria felt ill of ease that the maid and the coachman had used the exact same phrase and she wondered if they were trained to say such things. Was he really such a good man? Or was he someone that they feared enough that they spoke highly of him, despite poor character?
She couldn’t help but wonder. And everyone was speaking of the Earl, but she still knew nothing of his daughter.
Victoria imagined that the answers would come in time and she was better off calming herself and trying to simply get used to the new home she would be living in. She did not have to have all the answers at once. She could enjoy getting the hang of this new life without being aware of everything, even if it did leave that niggling anxiety in the back of her mind.
“Well, I am glad to hear that,” she told Miss Franklin.
“And you have a great deal of tutoring and experiences?” Miss Franklin asked.
Victoria smiled once more in that shy way.
“I suppose you might say that. I was fortunate enough to have learned well from a young age. I am certain that I can be of use for the young lady of the house, although I do hope she and the Earl are satisfied with what I have to offer,” she replied humbly.
“They shall be. I’ve no doubt about it. You seem quite the kind young woman and truly I think the Earl would prefer that over intelligence anyway. And if you have learning, he will be satisfied. I, myself, had a good learning. But not enough to be a governess,” Miss Franklin said.
“Oh? Why do you say that?” Victoria asked.
“My mother taught me. She was well learned by her own mother. But being taught by your mother isn’t usually enough to convince anyone to give you a job as a governess. What sort of tutors did you have?” she pried.
“Oh, as I said, I was very fortunate. My father was…he knew of good people,” she replied vaguely.
Victoria knew that she could hardly share the fullness of her story, but it mattered not. She was here for a position, one she knew that she would be able to do well. And if it meant hiding facts about herself in the meantime, she didn’t mind that so much.
“What else do you enjoy?” Victoria asked Miss Franklin, curious to learn more about the housekeeper she thought might become a friend.
“Well, I am quite good at singing,” she replied happily.
“That is lovely to hear, for I am far from the best at such. Perhaps, I might be so lucky as to hear you sing some day?” she asked, trying to encourage the young woman.
