Page 49 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
All for the sake of a woman she hated to like. All for the sake of a child for whom she wished she could be the mother herself.
But Marian would come around eventually. She would grow to like Lady Ingles. And Lady Ingles would prove herself an excellent wife and mother.
And ultimately, Victoria would prove herself to be nothing more than an excellent governess.
Chapter 23
Reginald gave his hand to Miss Jamison in order to help her into the coach. She nodded to him in gratitude and he watched her climb in before him, appearing hesitant, yet determined.
He had agreed to be her escort for the ball at Lady Ingles’ suggestion, and had deemed it a wise idea as it would give him an opportunity to thank her for all that she had been doing at the estate and the hard work and efforts she had made.
He could not deny that he also wished to spend more time in Miss Jamison’s company. Knowing that it was not the sort of thing he ought to be feeling, that he was a man engaged to another woman who he should care deeply for, he couldn’t deny that part of his heart was curious about the governess.
“I do hope that you enjoy this evening. It should be fantastic. Lady Ingles is known for hosting wonderful events and she is quite the woman for a party,” he noted.
“I am sure it shall be splendid,” Miss Jamison replied vaguely, not commenting further on the matter.
Reginald felt somewhat downcast that she did not seem more excited. He gazed at her in the beautiful dress that she wore, wondering if it had been a relic of times past or how she might otherwise have come across the gown.
Taking a chance, he decided to ask.
“Your gown is lovely. Is it new?” he questioned cautiously.
A genuine smile came across her face and Miss Jamison turned to him, understanding the true question behind his words.
“No, my lord. This is a remainder of my past. When we lost everything, I was able to keep precious few items of my clothing as well. But I chose to keep one of my favourite gowns for a party as a memory and in case I might ever need it again one day. Certainly, at the time I never expected that I would, but it is quite a relief to be able to wear it once more,” she answered him.
Reginald nodded, wondering if her mind was racing through memories of what she had once had and what her life was previously like.
“Are you looking forward to this evening or shall it be a difficult reminder for you?” he asked further, knowing that this was another question that might wound rather than heal.
But Miss Jamison seemed to be able to put her sensitivity aside and answer openly and willingly. He was reminded again that she was not the sort to complain a great deal, or certainly not that he had seen.
“I suppose it shall be a blend of the two, my lord. There is a part of me that is certainly nervous. It is difficult walking into a room filled with those who were once your peers when now they are all aware of the fact that you are no longer amongst them,” she began.
“But in truth, I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience once more the joys of an event such as this. I had precious few balls that I was able to attend as I was only nearing my debut when my father’s actions came to light and the creditors took everything from us,” Miss Jamison told him openly.
“So you were not able to truly enjoy it all while you had it…” Reginald said; a statement rather than a question.
“Precisely. And it shall be a wonderful privilege this evening to be able to indulge in the sort of event that I was stripped of three years ago,” she said.
“I can hardly believe that it was merely three years prior,” Reginald said.
Miss Jamison turned to him, surprise in her face.
“I can hardly believe that you have even thought about it at all. What is it about it that has you in surprise?” she asked.
Reginald paused for a moment, trying to choose his words carefully. He did not know Miss Jamison as well as he would have liked, but he had seen a great deal of her character already and thought that he might have some idea of her behaviour and who she was. Still, he knew that he could be entirely wrong.
But based on the conversations they had had thus far, he thought she was fine with his openness and knew that he was understanding of her situation.
“Well, to be perfectly honest, you do not behave like a woman who has only lived for three years without the luxuries of life,” he remarked.
“In what way?” she asked.
“In the way that you have accepted your lot in life with aplomb,” he laughed.
Miss Jamison chuckled in reply.
