Page 24 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
“I have no interest in returning to work. I should like to continue playing,” Marian replied.
“And I should like to go and read in my room, but as it is, we must continue,” Victoria grinned.
“Why do you bother with all of those books?” Marian asked, disgusted.
“Tell me, Miss Marian, do you enjoy every aspect of your life?” she asked.
Marian’s eyebrows drew together in pondering. A gentle sadness filled them and she bit her lip.
“Papa says I ought to,” she said in a small voice.
“Yes, but you and I both know that there are times when we do not live what is expected of us,” Victoria said empathetically, drawing near to Marian.
The child looked up at her with a vulnerability that she had tried so hard to hide until now.
“I love all of these books because they allow me to live in another life, another world. There are times that one needs such an escape. If you can imagine what it is to be another person, in another land or time perhaps, it does far more than just give a lesson or teach you. It allows for an escape. I should like nothing more than to live in books for a time each day, for the rest of my life,” Victoria confessed.
“In order to leave this one?” Marian asked.
“Only for a while each day. This is a good world we live in, do not get me wrong. We are very fortunate, you and I. But when life grows difficult or we become overwhelmed, it is good to have a break, don’t you think?” she suggested.
“You mean like when you let me play?” Marian replied.
“Exactly. Just as you have played in order to escape your lessons, we may read in order to escape our troubles. Does that make sense?” Victoria asked.
Marian nodded, not replying with her usual brashness or refuting it with her hatred of reading. She simply seemed to understand for the first time what it truly meant to desire the company of books.
“Miss Jamison?” she began.
“What is it, dear?” Victoria replied, looking directly into Marian’s sad eyes.
“I should like to read a book apart from our lessons,” she said, hesitating as if committing herself to something she was unsure she wanted.
Victoria smiled.
“I am certain I can arrange to find you something you shall enjoy,” she guaranteed.
The rest of the day continued with fewer struggles than it had begun with. But the following morning, Victoria recognised that the combative behaviour had begun anew. Each day it was clear she would be starting over with Marian and she was determined that she would be patient in the midst of it.
A few times, she had passed by the Earl again and each time, they greeted one another politely. She still had a great deal of questions for him, but as her duty was to his daughter, that remained her focus.
By the time Thursday arrived, Victoria noticed that a difference was being made. Marian began the lesson without her disgruntled attitude. She opened the book for her lesson and began reading with Victoria before suddenly realising that she had been too agreeable.
“I-I don’t want this one,” she said suddenly, stopping in the middle of a sentence.
Victoria eyed her, wondering why she had so quickly changed her mind about the lesson.
“I prefer the one you chose for me to read outside of lessons,” Marian pushed.
“That is for your entertainment, Miss Marian. This book is for learning. You must read this for our lessons and the other you may enjoy during your break,” Victoria replied.
Marian groaned.
“But I do not wish for it. I’ll not read another word,” she threatened.
“Then you shall have no break. Would you like to sit here in a stalemate until you are willing to finish your reading from here? I shall not allow you to leave your seat until you have completed the chapter,” Victoria warned.
“You cannot keep me here,” Marian retorted.
