“I am glad to hear it, my lord. But if there is even a whiff of scandal about me, I shall understand whatever decisions you might have to make,” she told him.
Reginald laughed.
“I cannot imagine you being the cause of scandal. Aside from the fact that my daughter might change rather rapidly under your watch, I think there is nothing that might be said of you. And anything that is said shall surely be positive if you continue as you are,” he noted.
“I am thankful for that observation,” she replied statically and without emotion.
Reginald observed her, perhaps longer than he ought to have. Yes, in addition to her beauty and wit, her past had done a great many things to her; that he could see. He wondered if her ability to interact with his daughter was the result of her own upbringing and wealthy parents.
But he had no desire for Marian to know this and he would refrain from telling her anything about this new governess.
“Is it difficult? Being demoted to the role of governess when you were a woman of great means and fortune?” he asked out of curiosity, watching her closely.
“Certainly. But our family fell before I became a woman, and I think in many ways, that was to my benefit. You see, if we had fallen now, for instance, it would have been quite a struggle for me to have come to terms with it all. By now I might have marriage prospects or wealth of my own,” she noted.
“But as it was, my family was disgraced when I was young enough that I was able to overcome the shame and accept my lot in life. I do not mind hard work and I am happy that I have secured a position. That is the best I can now hope for and I am unwilling to mourn that fact,” she continued.
“I must say you have a stronger character than many if you are so willing to move on from the past that had a promise of fortune and title,” he said.
“Truly? I believe some would deem it a weakness of character that I have made this choice. After all, would not most young women choose to fight for their lot in life and make a match that restored them to their former glory?” she asked.
“Most likely, they would. But you are different and I can respect that. Rather than seeking your former glory, one which you were merely born into, you have chosen to make a name for yourself without the assistant of pedigree. And in my mind, that requires a far stronger character than the other,” he replied.
Reginald was quiet and he noted that Miss Jamison grew silent as well. He poured a bit of tea for her, despite that not being something he often did. But he was curious and wished to know more about this young woman, although he knew that it would be difficult to learn more of her. She was quiet and private and there was evidently a great deal underneath the surface of what she had shown him.
No matter how open and honest she had been, he was certain he could learn more and he would be glad to know who she really was underneath her brave exterior.
“My lord, I have also learned a bit about you, although not so much as I might have wished to know before coming to stay here,” she began then.
Reginald was taken aback, and not prepared for that. As the master of the house, he was unused to his employees trying to learn about him in return.
“Indeed? And what is it about me that you know?” he asked, uncomfortably.
“Well, I knew very little about your daughter, which I do now regret a great deal. But I am also aware of the tragedy surrounding the loss of your wife, Miss Marian’s mother-”
Reginald raised a hand to cut her off and Miss Jamison went silent, waiting for him to interject with whatever it was that he wished to say.
He cleared his throat, upset and unsure how to tell her what it was that he wanted her to know. This was not the sort of conversation she was welcome to have with him.
“Miss Jamison, I appreciate your directness when I inquired about you, but I must ask you to recall that you are an employee in my home and it is not your duty to learn about me in return. You would do well to not bring up the subject of my wife ever again and I hope that that is very clear,” he said in a steady voice that betrayed very little of his emotion.
It was clear to him that Miss Jamison wished to continue in her line of discussion, but she was hesitant now that he had spoken so strongly on the subject of not wishing to discuss it. No matter how she might have wanted to learn more, he would not allow it.
Miss Jamison nodded slowly.
“Forgive me, my lord,” she said quietly, setting her tea on the table.
“That is enough for now,” he said in reply, perhaps a bit louder than he would have liked his voice to be. But he could not stop the seething breaths that came in and out of his nostrils at his hurt from the topic.
“You are dismissed, Miss Jamison,” he said her, waving her away with his hand.
The governess nodded and stood, giving a small curtsey before taking her leave.
True, she had been open with him about her own struggles, but she would have to learn her place now. She was not in a position to ask him about these things and Reginald needed her to know that. She would learn in time. And he would be strong.
Chapter 4
Victoria was met by Miss Franklin in the hallway, who had been waiting for her to come from the parlour.
