Page 39 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
Chapter 18
Victoria was readying herself the next day and trying to remain undistracted, but the lightness has followed her throughout the night.
The Earl had said some harsh, cruel things to her, but she knew that he had spoken in response to his anger that she had continued to push for what she wanted. She had been too brash and that was her own fault. She could hardly judge him for that when she knew that society would not allow such a thing.
Still, she was not one to bend to society’s rules.
But that moment that had come after, there was something about it that had stuck with her.
When he had held her gaze, when she had been free to look upon his handsome face, to examine the uniqueness of his scar and how it only added to his appearance. It had been a moment of freedom that she had never experienced before in all her life.
Seeing how the Earl loved his daughter, the passion with which he spoke when defending his decision and then the way he relented when he knew that he was wrong, all this impressed her further. He was a good father, a loving father who wanted what was best for her even when it hurt him.
Knowing that he was going to allow this, despite his own comfort, was a relief. It had come unexpectedly after the angry speech that he had given her and when the Earl finally relented, Victoria wondered if she had imagined it.
But in the morning all was confirmed as she was led to the stables with the Earl and Marian and they were each fitted to a horse.
Marian was given a smaller mare, who was known for her gentle manner. Victoria was given another mare who had been declared a horse of sweet nature. She wouldn’t have minded no matter what, as she was an excellent rider and knew that she could handle just about any beast.
The Earl had his great steed, a magnificent black beast that was a head above the others.
“Oh, Miss Jamison, thank you! I cannot believe I’m to ride today! Papa, thank you! This is all too wonderful,” Marian had been exclaiming the whole morning. Now that she was ready to climb up the back of the horse that had been assigned to her, her delight was even greater.
Victoria couldn’t keep the grin off her face, amazed that this was such a treat and experience for a young woman for whom this ought to have been a normal occurrence.
“She is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen in all my life. Is she mine, Papa? If you allow me to ride again, shall I have this same beauty?” Marian inquired.
“Let us first see how today goes, my dear. But yes, should we decide that this is to be a regular part of your education, you may have her to yourself,” he promised.
Victoria grinned at this exchange, excited for Marian and enjoying seeing the joy on her face. She loved the horse instantly and her father saw it as well, noting how her demeanor changed so rapidly in the midst of it.
Marian took to the ride immediately, listening to the directions of how to lead the horse and guide it and being diligent with her own safety. It was deeply encouraging to watch and Victoria saw that the Earl was impressed with his daughter. She wondered if he thought Marian might try to prove difficult and disobedient with this, but instead she was being cautious while still enjoying herself.
“She is naturally inclined to this,” Victoria noted. The smile spread across her face in recognition of Marian’s freedom and the very fact that it was what the child needed in order to know that she was being heard and being cared for. Those were the two things that a girl without a mother truly needed.
“Indeed, I am rather impressed. I never would have imagined her to be so secure in riding. I know she has longed for this for a rather long time, but seeing her on the horse, seeing how she enjoys it, I am amazed and thrilled,” he replied.
They allowed Marian to ride just ahead of them, certainly near enough that they might step in should anything go awry, but far enough that the child felt she had a bit of independence.
Victoria listened to the mumbles of Marian speaking to her horse. She was whispering words of care and appreciation to the beast and it showed even further how important this had been to her.
As they rode behind, the Earl and Victoria made gentle eye contact with each other now and then, which continually left each of them glancing away shyly. She felt that something had changed after their communication the day before. There was a greater level of respect and a new sense of friendship that had formed.
It left her with a greater confusion in regards to her position. Victoria was a governess, but one who understood the finery of society. Now, interacting so comfortably with the Earl and having stood up to him on the matter of the ride, there was a sense of equality between them. She wondered if that was wrong somehow.
“My goodness, this is certainly the right thing for her,” the Earl commented, causing Victoria to feel awash with relief that he could recognise that.
“It is clear that she has a natural gift,” Victoria nodded.
“And seeing her use it now is a delight. One I might not have had the privilege of seeing were it not for your push,” he acknowledged.
The Earl’s voice was light and happy despite the fact that he was referencing a moment that Victoria knew they both would have rather forgotten. Still, the difficulty of it did not compare to the sight of joy on Marian’s face and she was glad he could see that this was of benefit to her.
“Yes, well, I was rather out of line in how I went about it,” Victoria said.
Although she had felt herself entirely justified in pushing, she knew that she hadn’t obeyed the protocols of society in order to do so. She had strong-armed him into it and it had been wrong of her to do so. Nevertheless, she was confident that she had done the right thing.
“Your boldness is one of the things that makes you rather unique and you ought not to apologise for it. It impresses me. Although I do not like having my authority questioned, I cannot blame you for having urged this,” he said.
