Page 31 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
“I see. Curious how?” she asked.
“Curious in that I have never seen her so interested or attuned to books. Curious in that she does not speak insultingly of you when you are not around,” he answered, laughing with what he hoped to be a blend of happiness and embarrassment.
Reginald was hardly proud of his daughter’s character, but now that he saw it changing, he felt that it might be possible to laugh it off just a little bit.
“Oh yes, I understand. They are rather important issues,” Miss Jamison acknowledged.
“Indeed, they are. And I was quite disappointed many times in the past when I saw her wasting her intelligence. But you seem to have been able to wipe away much of that waste in a rather short period of time,” he noted.
The governess smiled and held her tongue. Reginald sensed that she was reminding herself of her place and was not willing to speak freely.
“You have been teaching my daughter for a little over a week now. I should appreciate it if you will report to me regarding your plans for Marian’s education?” he said.
“Certainly, my lord. It is very important that her father be aware of where she is at and how we shall proceed,” Miss Jamison said, looking greatly relieved by the request.
Still, a tension in the air lingered with all the questions unasked, but Reginald thought this was an easy way to begin the conversation. Miss Jamison had been hesitant, but this seemed to be something she was more comfortable with addressing.
“Miss Marian has been a wonderful student thus far. She has proven herself to be charming and extremely intelligent,” she told him, appearing quite excited about the matter.
Reginald was taken aback. There was no lie on Miss Jamison’s face. He knew that she was a child who frequently showed poor behaviour and for a moment he could not help but wonder if Miss Jamison had been duped by his daughter’s sarcasm.
But he knew that this woman was more intelligent than that. He knew that his daughter was open enough about her disdain for others that there would be no way Miss Jamison might have missed it when directed at her.
So when she spoke of Marian’s intelligence—her charm, even—he knew that she must truly believe it.
“I must express to you my surprise on this matter,” he confessed.
With a knowing smile, Miss Jamison nodded again in agreement.
“I understand that Miss Marian can come across as difficult at times. We discussed this previously when I first arrived, my lord. But truly, things are going wonderfully now and I am delighted to be tutoring her,” she told him.
Reginald was greatly relieved by all of this. He wondered all over again what sort of tactics Miss Jamison had employed to bring about such a change in Marian and he thought that it must be a great relief for her to see so many changes.
“There have been many governesses who tried to tame my daughter and all have failed. I am in wonder at how you have managed to bring her into submission like this,” he remarked.
“Well, my lord, perhaps the difference is that I’ve no intention of bringing her into submission of any kind. Miss Marian does not need to be brought to heel, she needs to be brought into security,” Miss Jamison replied.
Reginald had never heard an observation like this regarding his daughter and his curiosity was drawing him further in.
“In what way, might I ask?” he pursued.
“Well, if you don’t mind my saying, I do believe that when she acts out, it is in response to a desire to be scolded, a need to be heard by those around her. Miss Marian is not a bad child, but she is one who needs to know that others see and hear her. I believe that previously, she was not being seen and heard by her governesses,” Miss Jamison observed.
“I understand,” he nodded, thinking that it made sense. Once more, he was struck not just by the many aspects of Miss Jamison that he found fascinating, but her perceptiveness. She was wise regarding the people around her.
“So how have you managed to fill that need?” he asked.
“I think I am not capable of filling it, but I am able to acknowledge it. And through that, I have allowed Miss Marian to speak her mind in a productive way. Additionally, in terms of her newfound love for reading, I have turned books into rewards which I must tell you has been extremely effective,” she smiled, looking rather pleased with herself.
“I have noted how she is suddenly going through pages with hunger. My daughter was never one for reading and perhaps that is the aspect of your teaching which astounds me most,” he laughed.
“I think oftentimes children have a misguided notion regarding books, and I see it as much of the fault of the adults around them. We urge the importance of reading without stressing its enjoyment. Thus, children believe reading to be a chore and do not expect to enjoy it, and such an attitude prevents them from doing so,” she said with great conviction.
“You speak with passion,” he noted.
“I am always passionate when it comes to books, my lord,” she laughed.
“And what is your favourite book?” Reginald asked, curiously.
