“I should be ever so delighted, Miss Jamison. Anytime you wish it, I am here,” she replied.
“Wonderful, thank you so much. I love a good song now and then,” Victoria smiled. “And the pupil I am to teach?”
“She’s a good girl, Miss Jamison. You shall like her a great deal, I am sure. Obedient, kind, and sweet as can be,” Miss Franklin replied.
Once more, Victoria hoped that Miss Franklin was being honest and not overly kind about the charge. After all, she knew what sort of student she had been back in those days of fortune and having everything at her fingertips.
Yes, she had studied and been intelligent. But only because she wished it. She had also been quite troublesome at times when she wished for that instead.
Whatever was to come ahead, Victoria knew that she ought to be ready. This life that she was entering into was new and rather frightening. But she could do it.
More than anything, she hoped that she could do it well.
Chapter 2
With Miss Franklin leading her inside, Victoria was unsure exactly what was to come next. She had learned a small portion of things from the maid at the door, but there was still something inside her that felt unsettled.
“Miss Franklin…” she started.
“Yes, Miss Jamison?” she asked in reply, appearing somewhat anxious.
“Am I wrong in suspecting that there is something I’ve yet to be told?” Victoria asked forthrightly.
Miss Franklin froze and looked at her guiltily before her shoulders slumped and she looked at the ground.
“Perhaps, Miss. I’ve told you what I know I’m supposed to say. But I cannot pretend that it was the full and honest truth,” she said with a sigh.
Victoria eyed Miss Franklin who looked away, unwilling to fully make eye contact. Her gut twisted, wondering what it was that had been hidden from her, and hoping she might be able to handle it.
“Alright, well, I should like to know what this full and honest truth is then. What is it that has you so skittish and evidently uncomfortable?” Victoria pushed.
“Well, Miss, I think you shall be meeting the Earl and his daughter right after you sort out your room and change into something more comfortable for you,” Miss Franklin began.
“Yes, and then?” she continued to press.
“Well, and then you might see that we’ve all been less than forthcoming about things,” she replied vaguely, still avoiding eye contact
Victoria was growing frustrated. She wanted answers but all she was getting from Miss Franklin was dancing around the subject and being told that she’d been lied to. Whatever the truth was, Victoria wished to know it. She was tired of people telling her that everything was alright and would be wonderful if that was, indeed, not the case at all.
“Can you please be out with it?” she asked, her irritation showing.
“It is what I’ve said to you about Marian,” she confessed.
“Marian? Is that my charge?” Victoria asked.
“Yes, Miss Jamison. Miss Marian Fairfax is the young lady for whom you are meant to be a governess. And what I’ve told you about her being sweet and whatnot? Well, I cannot say that I was entirely honest about that,” she confessed.
Victoria’s heart began to sink. The truth was, apparently, that she had agreed to be the governess for a child who caused trouble and was not the angel that everyone would have had her believe. Just as she had secretly wondered.
Regret filled her chest and Victoria wondered if she ought to have applied for different positions even if they did pay less than this one. She had no desire to be the governess for a troublemaking child. Once more she thought back to her own days as a wealthy brat, and about how she had treated those put in care over her.
If Marian was anything like Victoria had been, it would mean that she was somewhat difficult, but that she would still be able to handle her. If she was worse than Victoria had been, she would forever live with the regret of having accepted this position.
“I see. And will you please tell me the full extent of the truth and how difficult this child is going to be for me?” she inquired rather openly.
“Don’t you think it’s best if I get you settled in your room first?” Miss Franklin offered, anxious that they might be overheard.
“I think I should like to be prepared,” Victoria replied.
