Page 35 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
But then whichever maid or footman had made the comment would stress to her that she had seen nothing. Apparently Marian had been significantly worse than Victoria had even known.
Much was being credited to Victoria for how she had chosen to engage with Marian and bring her to obedience through respect and kindness. It had been her manner of strength with dignity that seemed to lead the child to such a change and it was not idly done.
In addition to these things, Victoria had listened to Marian regarding her studies. From her hatred of all lessons, they had deciphered methods within them to keep Marian interested, as well as adding in studies or minimising those that she had no interest in where possible.
The curriculum was finally in a place where Marian’s attention would hold long enough that they could push through for at least two hours before a complaint would be made. And after the complaint would come compliance. It had been a great relief for Victoria, but an even greater relief to those within the house who had longed to see better behaviour from the Earl’s daughter.
“You have finished another book? My, how quickly you read!” Victoria exclaimed, encouraging Marian one morning. She was delighted that two of the books she had chosen were already finished and Marian was eagerly devouring them.
“I liked the girl in that story. She was funny. And I liked that she thought herself to be better than others but then she was very kind by the end,” Marian remarked.
Victoria tried to refrain from smirking, noting how similar the character was to her and how the changes in character seemed to be coming about far more simply in Marian. More than ever, she was certain that Marian’s outbursts had been the result of lacking her mother and now that Victoria was trying to show her motherly care, she was growing more sensitive.
“Yes, indeed she is. Now, what shall we move on to next? Would you like to work on your French or shall we have a few moments of comportment?” Victoria asked, knowing that Marian hated comportment.
They had decided that instead of spending an hour working on Marian’s posture and manners, they would do ten minutes at a time between other lessons. If, after three ten minute sessions, Marian had shown improvement, they would move on for the day. If she did not, they would add an additional half hour at the end of her other lessons.
“Oh, I might as well get it over with,” she groaned.
Victoria nodded, standing to find the board which would be strapped to Marian’s back to straighten her spine. Once it was securely in place, a book was set upon the child’s head and she walked about the room with a gracefulness that reeked of class. It came naturally to her.
“Excellent. Now, I am going to play a waltz on the piano and I should like to see you try the dance on your own. Do not allow the book to fall,” Victoria instructed.
Her fingers drifted across the keys and Marian looked rather amusing as she tried to step this way and that, her arms around an invisible partner. With the book steady upon the top of her head, Victoria gave a warning.
“I am going to increase the tempo. Do not be caught off guard and do not allow the book to fall,” she instructed.
Marian looked as though she were going to nod her head in acknowledgement before remembering the book perched there. She could not nod, so she crinkled her nose to show her disgust and concession all in one.
As Victoria slowly increased the tempo, bringing it a little bit faster with each measure, Marian moved her feet more quickly. Finally it evened out again once Victoria had reached the speed she wished for, and Marian made every effort to go at the correct pace.
“Excellent, my dear. All shall know the name of Marian Fairfax, most graceful of dancers,” Victoria called out, causing Marian to grin despite herself. It was clear that she was uncomfortable, but she held herself with a perfect posture nevertheless. Victoria knew that progress had been made.
In the end it lasted slightly longer than the promised ten minutes, but Marian did well and they were able to move on.
“Miss Jamison?” she asked, once they were settled back down and preparing for French.
“Yes, Miss Marian? What is it?” she replied.
“I wanted to ask you something. I mean, I have already asked my father and he said no. But I thought that you might speak with him,” Marian began.
Victoria disliked the sound of this. She had no desire to get between father and daughter on a personal matter and have to answer for it. She could hardly overrule her employer and was queasy at the thought of being asked to do so.
“I do not know if such a thing is appropriate,” she replied.
“It is. I assure you. My father listens to you and I think he will not mind,” Marian rebutted.
“Your father is not someone to be swayed by a governess. But what is it? You haven’t told me what you wish for and you do not know if even I shall approve or if I shall agree with your father in the first place,” Victoria pointed out.
Marian’s lips set in a disapproving way, as if she hadn’t thought about that possibility at all. It made her look pouty and foolish, but Victoria knew it to be a remnant of a personality that was leaving her.
“I…I want to go riding. I have asked Papa about it and thought that it would be a wonderful experience. You can ride, I know it. So I thought that together, with you guiding me, I should be allowed the chance to try riding. All young women of society have the chance to learn and I do not see why I should not,” she addressed breezily.
Victoria let out a deep breath, one she had been holding in during Marian’s request. It seemed so simple. Marian was right; most young women of society were afforded an opportunity to ride, given the chance to enjoy it and be skilled with it.
But she knew that the situation was rather different here. Was not her mother killed as a result of riding? It was hardly any wonder that the Earl might refuse to allow his only daughter a chance to ride when his wife had befallen such a terrible fate from the activity.
Surely that must have been his reasoning. And it was hardly fair to expect him to be alright with Marian going out for a ride in light of that.
