Excerpt from The Governess--Chapter 6 continued:
Carly was glum that she could not be with the children today. They were darling! But rules were rules, and she must obey! Or so Lord Huntington had said.
Carly decided that she would go exploring wherever her feet would take her. Prepared for indoors or outdoors with the straw hat and shawl she brought with her, she started off. It had turned into an extraordinarily warm, early spring, so she knew it was likely she would end up out amongst the fresh air and singing birds. However, she would begin inside.
As she started down the stairs, she noticed servants quietly going about their work. Randomly, she stepped into a room. What a beautiful music room it turned out to be! Its pale blue and white walls with gilded trim brightened her smile as she enjoyed the spring-like feeling of this rooms’ personality. Having hoped that she would be so lucky as to be blessed with a place to continue her own musical talents, she immediately said a prayer of gratitude in her heart, for she loved to sing, play the pianoforte and harp, as well. Expressing herself in these ways always had brought joy to her and to her family. Here, before her, stood an immense pianoforte and a magnificent harp along with sheets upon sheets of music and music stands.
“I shall make good use of this room at least.” She was so excited! A whole orchestra could fit here! What a treat that would be to hear and to dance to. Surely there must be a ballroom in this grand house? Excitedly, she allowed her imaginative thoughts to blossom and grow, insisting that there would be such a fine room. Finding this phantom room became a treasured wish and priority. She would have great adventures here, she was sure!
Carly shuffled through sheets of music. She reminisced of the times she had practiced on the rectory’s harp that had been donated by a local squire with lessons being taught by his talented, yet condescending wife. Tolerance had been exacted from Carly’s deposits of self-control only for the love of the instrument. She and Susannah had often laughed over their impersonations of their teacher, much to the chagrin of their father. Many impassioned speeches ensued on loving thy neighbor, which always quieted their giggles, if not for a little while. Carly filled this moment with another burst of giggles.
Sitting down at the pianoforte, she played from memory the first song that popped into her mind; a hauntingly beautiful melody that brought the sting of unshed tears to her eyes. Often she had played it until their dearly loved pianoforte had been sold. The cherished piece had been the only furniture gifted to their family by her paternal grandparents after their deaths, since all else had been sold. Parting with it had been a great loss to her and her sister. Carly sniffed back the ready tears. Many fine hours had been spent together playing and singing, as well as laughing with Mrs. Schneider and their parents. The poignant tune she now played for her mother with such expression that Carly knew within her heart her mother would be proud if she were present.
Out of nowhere, Carly heard a timid voice say, “Milady, you should not be in ‘ere. I do apologize for the interruption.” A shy parlourmaid bobbed a quick curtsey. “Just don’t want you to get into trouble for being in the mistress’s room and all.”
So this was Lady Huntington’s music room. She felt a little deflated by the thought for some reason. But why should she care except that she would love to occupy this room herself. Oh well, she sighed heavily.
“This room is off limits then?”
“Yes, milady. Again, I apologize.”
Smiling at the distressed parlourmaid, she said, “No need to apologize. And what is your name, pray tell?”
“Heather, milady,” she nervously curtsied once more.
Nodding her head in response, Carly said, “I am glad to meet you, Heather. My name is Carly.” Carly smiled an encouragingly sweet smile at the timorous servant girl. Parlourmaids, she knew, were often chosen for their beauty and grace, especially for purposes of impressing guests. This young girl was no exception. Tall and lithe, her dark hair pulled into a tight twist, she wore her starched cap and apron over her black dress appealingly. Carly couldn’t help smiling again at her new acquaintance. She hoped they could be friends.
She could not help a wicked thought. Was the master the sort of man that dallied with his servants? She stopped the question from growing into more as soon as it started. Shame on me!
“It’s a pleasure mum.” As if to explain her own presence in this off-limit room, Heather said, “I was just dusting, milady. The master’s mother ‘as always wished for this room to remain well taken care of. I am sorry that it is off limits,” she looked completely apologetic.
We will just see about that, thought Carly. Another talk with Lord Huntington. But for now, “I’ll be leaving then.”
Hesitatingly, Heather seemed not to be able to stop herself from saying to Carly, “I ‘ave enjoyed your lovely music, milady. It certainly would be nice to ‘ave music in the ‘ouse again.” She curtsied and quickly began dusting, leaving Carly to contemplate her words.
This unpleasantness was soon forgotten as she went through room after room impressed with the splendor of this house. She decided the light colors were very uplifting, much better than many of the oppressively dark houses she had been in at home in the surrounding neighborhoods of Harlestone. Still, growing up with the same dark wood of the vicarage had never seemed depressing to her since her mother had decorated in such a lovely way and seemed to take advantage of the qualities of both light and dark colors.
“Oh, dear mother,” she sighed. “How you would love Huntington Manor.”
Ellise
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