“Right Miss, but why don’t we get you to your room first? It is quiet there,” Miss Franklin suggested again, adding the last part in a whisper.
Victoria sensed that Miss Franklin was too nervous to tell her the full truth out in the middle of the hallway, and wished for privacy if she was to divulge this sort of information.
More anxious than ever, Victoria sighed and agreed. She followed as the maid led her up the staircase for two floors and down the hall where her room was.
“This is your room,” she announced, showing Victoria the small space.
“It will do just fine,” Victoria replied, looking at the desk and dresser that accompanied the bed.
There were two large windows which she was glad for. More than anything, Victoria hated to be in the darkness. And while she didn’t mind the small space so much, the windows made it seem a good deal larger.
Her bags rested on the bed and she knew that she would have plenty of time to unpack later. For now, she had questions and they were far more important to her than anything else.
“Alright, so will you now tell me the reality of what this child is like?” she asked, pressing her eyes towards Miss Franklin who fiddled with her hands.
“Well, Miss Marian has been difficult with other governesses,” she confessed finally. “In fact, she has been difficult enough that they have all quit. The Earl has to put an ad in the paper every four or five months because no governess has lasted beyond that. Actually, I think that is probably the longest that Marian has kept one for.”
Victoria’s shoulders sagged in defeat. Of course she had happened upon such a difficult child as this to be her charge. It seemed that nothing in life would ever turn out for her again.
“I see.” Victoria released a breath she had been holding. It did little to settle the tension in her muscles.
“But perhaps you might be able to change her, Miss Jamison. All she needs is a strong hand and someone to care for her long enough that she gives up on her behaviour. You might be just the thing for her,” Miss Franklin tried to encourage.
“Yes, well, that is what I shall strive for. Thank you for being honest with me about this, Miss Franklin. I do suggest in the future that you refrain from lying to me, however. I do not take kindly to untruths and I should prefer to be prepared for a difficult charge than caught off guard by it,” she said in reply.
“Yes, Miss Jamison,” she conceded.
Victoria considered her options for a moment. It was not going to be easy. But in the end, she knew that she had few other options.
This had been the most profitable opportunity she had found and she was confident that she could make an effort to connect with Marian and possibly overcome the child’s behaviour. Indeed, she felt confident it would work.
And if it didn’t, she would push through nevertheless. She needed this position and would not abandon it easily. There was very little that could keep her from getting past all of this and being the sort of governess that she knew herself to be capable of.
“Well, now that all of that is out of the way, do you think I might have an opportunity to meet with the Earl and my charge?” she asked.
“Do you not wish to arrange your belongings?” Miss Franklin inquired.
“I shall deal with all of that later. I think it is best that I meet with the two of them now and get a handle on things before moving into the house. I should like to know my employer and have an opportunity to meet with Marian at their earliest convenience,” she replied.
“Well then, I believe they are in the parlour. Come with me,” Miss Franklin said.
Victoria followed behind, wondering what it was going to be like to meet these two new people who were going to be such a large part of her life.
Would the child give her problems from the very first moment? Was the Earl truly kind or had they lied about him as well? She would learn the answers soon enough.
Miss Franklin knocked on the door of the parlour and they heard the low voice instructing them to enter. When they did, Victoria noticed the beauty of the room, but was far more struck by the Earl and his daughter.
The Earl of Hanover was a tall, broad-shouldered man with an elegant stance. His hair was dark and shadowed his face, which held such perfect features as she had scarcely seen. With a jaw that was edged sharply and grey eyes that seemed like ice amidst his face, she was caught immediately by the distinction of him.
There was a large, jagged scar along his cheek, but it did nothing to detract from his appearance. In many ways, it only caused her to find him even more fascinating and handsome.
Tearing her eyes away, she saw the child, an exact image of her father. Marian was beautiful with the same dark locks and light eyes. She bore a pretty, feminine face in comparison her father’s masculinity, but there was no doubt at all that the two were father and daughter.
Victoria curtseyed and the Earl bowed. He looked at his daughter in disappointment and harshly whispered for her to curtsey, which she did with a rapid descent and spring up. It was clear that she had no desire to show any sort of respect to Victoria. Victoria didn’t mind so much, for she knew that things would change soon enough.
“Miss Jamison, it is lovely to finally meet you,” the Earl greeted.
“And you, my lord. And Miss Marian, I am glad to finally make your acquaintance as well,” she said to the little girl, who rolled her eyes and pretended to yawn.
