Page 17 of Enthralled in the Governess' Gaze
“Really?” Lily gasped. “I want to chase sheep! Grandfather says he will take us to the country someday, and there will be sheep there. He will let me play with them, right mama?”
Mrs Radcliffe chuckled and said, “Yes, sweetheart. Your grandfather did say that.”
The little girl beamed at Victoria, who made sure to appear properly impressed.
“That is so exciting!” she exclaimed. “I would love to go to the country and play with sheep as well.”
Lily stared at Victoria as if she were in awe.
Then, turning to her mother, the child asked, “Mama? Can we take Miss Clifford with us when we go to the country so she can also play with the sheep?”
Victoria could not help her smile. It seemed Lily was already warming up to her, and Victoria had to admit she was one of the most charming little girls she had ever met. Glancing up, she found Mrs Radcliffe staring at her in surprised amusement.
“I think that is a brilliant idea, darling,” Mrs Radcliffe said. “If Miss Clifford will agree to be your governess, we will most definitely take her with us when we go to the country.”
Victoria’s eyes widened. “M…madam?”
Mrs Radcliffe ran the back of her fingers down her daughter’s cheek as she said, “I do not think I need to have interviews with anyone else. You appear to be perfect for the position, Miss Clifford, and Lily has taken to you so easily that I would be a fool to let you leave here without offering you the position.”
Gratitude and joy flooded Victoria, and it took all her willpower not to let out a shout of delight. She gripped her skirts in her hands and managed to maintain her composure.
“Thank you, Mrs Radcliffe,” she said a little breathlessly. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and would happily take the position.”
The guilt she felt for lying only intensified with the offer, but Victoria ignored the feeling as best she could. She had no choice, she told herself. If Mrs Radcliffe knew the truth about her, she would likely not have offered her the position. This was a good house, and Victoria knew she would have a fine employer in Mrs Radcliffe.
“Wonderful!” Mrs Radcliffe exclaimed. “Then let us discuss your pay and living arrangements, shall we?”
Victoria agreed, and they spent several more minutes working out the details of her wages. It was far more than she had anticipated, reaffirming her decision to keep her past a secret.
“And, of course, you will live with us full-time,” Mrs Radcliffe said with a nod. “You will have your own room next to Lily’s, and there is a classroom in which you can have her lessons. How does that sound?”
“Perfect, madam,” Victoria answered.
“Then you shall start at the beginning of next week.” Mrs Radcliff stood and extended her hand to Victoria. Victoria took her hand, pushing to her feet, and they shook it. It was a rather bold gesture, the handshake, but Victoria found herself rather impressed with Mrs Radcliffe as a result.
When the two women parted, Lily jumped in between them and smiled up at Victoria.
“Are you going to live with us, Miss Clifford?” she asked, breathless with excitement.
Chuckling, Victoria nodded. “Yes, I am. Is that all right with you, Miss Lily?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes! That is very all right, Miss Clifford.”
“Are you excited to have Miss Clifford for your governess?” Mrs Radcliff asked.
Clapping her hands together, Lily declared, “Yes, yes! We will have so much fun together!”
Mrs Radcliffe glanced up at Victoria with a grin. “I think you are very right, Lily.”
Victoria felt as though a weight was being lifted from her shoulders. Yes, she was hiding things about her past, but she would not let that affect how she proceeded with her work. She would not waste this chance. This was a dream come true, and she was determined to do whatever she had to to keep from losing the position and the support it provided her family.
Things were finally looking up for Victoria, and she could not imagine anything dampening the hope and relief she was experiencing at that moment.
Chapter 10
When he arrived back home, it was well into the evening. Edward felt certain he would be late enough that he could avoid running into any of Emily’s governess candidates. Stepping through the townhouse's front door, he glanced around, but there was no one in sight.
Releasing a sigh of relief, he removed his hat and gloves and hung them up next to the door. Carter would likely be busy overseeing the cleanup from dinner. Edward had opted to eat out at White’s, just to be safe.
