Monday, May 9, 2011 - BiWeekly Blog - Chapter 6

Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 6:

            Carly overslept the next morning simply because she could not sleep the night before from thinking about Lord Huntington.  No book had helped her sleep, after all.  What tumultuous feelings he brought out in her, even in such a short amount of time.  One minute she was angry at him for being arrogant and frightening, and in the next she found herself thinking of his magnificent shoulders. 

Goodness!  What a silly girl she was! 

And then, she would think of the horrible mystery surrounding him.  This brought a shiver to her.  Had she been in any danger last night?  How would she know until it was too late?  Dear me, she thought.  I would rather think of his wonderful shoulders! 

When she began her morning toilette, she thought of the children in the next room.  As she said her prayers and read from her father’s beloved Bible, she wondered what the children were like.  Why did she get this feeling that other governesses had had problems with them and had not stayed? 

Or was it trouble with the master? 

This she could certainly believe! 

She knew that the children’s mother had died unexpectedly, and from her own experience with grief and loss, truly believed that this could have everything to do with any trouble that there might be.  Helping them find happiness became her goal, and she prayed hourly that she would find her own as well. 

Carly’s thoughts were interrupted by giggling through the nursery door.  The accompanying noises sounded very much like children jumping upon beds.  Smiling and laughing a little to herself, she remembered herself and Susannah doing the same thing and getting scolded for it. 

Not being able to resist the urge, she peeked through the nursery door and saw two little children approximately six and seven, indeed, jumping on their beds.  They squealed with laughter and kept hushing each other.  It was quite comical! 

Apparently they shared an exceptionally large room decorated in blue and white.  A sweet, clean smell of freshly washed bodies floated to Carly’s senses, and she looked to see that their hair was, indeed, still damp.  She smiled.  She must have made a noise, for, suddenly, the little boy stopped and stared and the little girl followed his example.  All three stood staring at each other for several seconds before Carly decided to make her introduction since they had clearly seen her.  It seemed silly not to. 

Leaving her door open wide, she entered their room coming to stand next to their beds as they promptly sat down upon them. 

“What wild little Indians live in this room?”  They stared at her; the little girl looked as though she wanted to smile; only the little boy nodded his head not to. 

Clearing her throat, Carly began again, “My name is Miss Carly Blakemore.  May I have the pleasure of knowing your names?” 

The little boy slid off his bed. He obviously had an agenda.  Carly watched as he went through a wide double doorway that looked very much like a schoolroom to her.  He went over to the dark wooden table to draw.  His sister quickly followed suit.  Carly glanced at the now messy beds.  Hmmm, she thought. 

She walked to where they sat at the table drawing.  Memories from childhood sprung to mind as she inhaled the smell of chalk they were using to draw upon slates, noticing the irritating sound the chalk made when one of them pressed too hard.  The little girl had wiped her slate clean with a cloth.  She shook it out to refold it neatly, and Carly sneezed from the cloud of chalk dust that drifted up to her nose. 

Looking at Carly apologetically, the little girl still did not say anything.  Carly insisted upon their attention by asking, “Are we playing a guessing game then?”  Smiling, the little girl continued to look up, her shining eyes sparkling as if she wanted to play, but the boy kept his head down.  Giving her attention to the little girl, she said, “Well, you must be an Indian princess because you are so beautiful.  Look at all that lovely long, blonde hair you have.  And what beautiful ringlets!  Let me see,” tapping her finger to her mouth while she pretended to think, she then asked, “is your name Princess Kangaroo?” 

The little girl covered her mouth and started giggling, then nodded her head in agreement, naturally curly hair bobbing all about her face.  Her blue eyes sparkled all the more from the darling azure gown she wore. 

The brother was watching his sister with a perplexed look upon his face, as if he wanted to have fun, too, but did not want the new governess to know that bit of information.  Carly was sure he was trying to be hard.  It did not seem natural for him. 

“And you must be Chief Jumping Horse.”  Raising her arm up, palm faced forward and speaking with a pretended deep voice, she exclaimed, “How!”  His green eyes went wide with excitement.  Raising his arm slowly in cooperation, he did not say anything. 

Just then, an older woman entered the room carrying a large silver tray with what appeared to be their breakfast.  As she entered, she was saying, “Well, Masta’ Jonathon an’ Miss Elspef’, what ‘ave ye been up too since I left ye to make your beds?”  She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the stranger. 

Enticing smells of bacon and sausage assailed Carly’s nostrils as her stomach growled at the inviting aromas swirling above the tray. 

“An’ ‘oo might yoo be?” 

            “I am the new governess, Miss Carly Blakemore.” 

            “So nice to meet yoo, Miss Blakemore,” she curtsied.  “Lord Huntington told me it would be a Lady Blakemore.”  With a questioning look, she said, “He also told me to ‘spect yoo uh, tomorrow, ‘e did.”  She got a concerned look on her face.  “Ye are a little early.  The masta’ is particular ‘bout that sort o’ thing.  He will be none too ‘appy that yoo ‘ave shown up ‘ere today.”

            “Is father here today, Nanny?” 

            “Yes, Miss Elspef’.” 

            “I miss him, Nanny.  Is he happy today?” 

            “Now, ‘ush ‘bout such things missie.  He’s a good man your father.  He ‘as a lot on ‘is shoulders is all…especially since…”  Seeming to give in to her little mistress’s demands, she sighed, and relented, “I’ll see if Lord Huntington can see ye today, missie.” 

“Father, will not see us.  He never does.”  The dark head bowed again in concentration. 

These first words uttered from the little boy’s mouth absolutely tore at Carly’s heart.  How could Lord Huntington not see his own children?  Was this, too, a result of his wife’s death?  Questions began building in her mind that needed answers.  These poor children were lonely for their father, she was sure of it.  Sensing the heartbreak in both their little faces, she felt at that moment to soothe them or at least help them forget their hurt even momentarily. 

“Shall we play a game together?” Her smile was encouraging.  “What do you like to play?”  All three looked at her as if she had said something horribly inappropriate.  “Can you not tell me a favorite game, Elspeth, is it?  Surely the cat has not snatched your tongue?” 

Carrying the tray over to the table to deposit it, Nanny spoke up.  “I ‘ave been instructed to watch o’er the children ‘til ye are to start your duties, milady, an’ then whenever ye are not with them, as well.” 

More rules.  “Very well,” Carly sighed, “but I do so look forward to spending time with you both, getting to know you.”  Smiling, she squatted down before them, her green skirts with pale flowers rustling and billowing out beautifully.  “We shall have a grand time, do you not think so?”  Her encouraging smile worked its magic on Elspeth, at least.  In fact, she was sure her little fingers itched to touch her gown. However, the boy did not even look at her.  Taking in their lovely, innocent features, she felt sure that the boy was the one who felt most neglected by their father. It seemed to her that Elspeth, at least, had Jonathon.

Well, she would have a talk with Lord Huntington. 

Thanks for reading!  Please comment too so I know what readers think I need to improve or what you already like.  Join me on Friday for my next post. 

Thanks!
Ellise :)