Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 12 completed:
Carly was alarmed.
More disturbing incidents had occurred. Several days in succession, Carly had caught someone watching her from different windows of the house while she wandered the grounds. One window in particular seemed to be the favorite. Making an effort to figure out which room this was, she discovered that it was the Study.
Disturbing!
Today it had occurred again. She was enjoying the gardens and had definitely seen someone staring at her. Had it been the master? Carly was not certain. But who else would it be? Could it be a servant? “Surely it could,” she said to herself. There were only a couple servants thus far that Carly had felt any animosity from. When discussing this with Millesant, she was told not to worry, that she would discuss it with Mrs. Thompson.
Millesant said, “I overheard these two silly girls discussing how aggravated they feel when their sweethearts stare in wonder at your beauty.”
Carly rolled her eyes in disbelief.
“They are only jealous,” Millesant said, which seemed to make her happy somehow.
On two occasions, Carly had heard heavy footsteps, deep in the night, stop in front of her bedroom door. Did Huntington Manor have a ghost for which it was famous? Not hardly. Was it, indeed, her doorway that held this specter’s interest? Undeniably it was, for she had discerned the handle noisily wiggling. Were not these troubling incidents? What kind of household had she come into?
Again, Carly contemplated the rumors surrounding Lord Huntington, that of his wife’s death and the kidnappings of innocent young girls in this district alone. He could be to blame. “Is it really possible? How would I know?” Suspicions of his actions crept into her thoughts and disturbed her while she slept, dreamed, and worked, but no more so than when she dined with him and could occasionally sense his dark moods. At these times, she would throw caution to the wind and try with all her might to draw him out, even make him angry on purpose. Anything was better than his preoccupied scowl.
Tonight’s meal had been particularly dangerous, for he had yelled at her again. Having said something which provoked his fury, he had come to hover too closely above her while his rage was unleashed. In his wrath, Lord Huntington had taken her chin in his strong fingers, which she had indignantly yanked away. Because of her defiance, a curious sparkle ignited in his eyes which terrified, yet thrilled her.
Quickly, his demeanor had changed, and he smiled down at her with that wicked grin that gave her goose bumps. Inches from her face, he made her breath quicken in fear. She carefully arose, excusing herself.
Before she could leave, his anger was rekindled, and he stood in her way of departure. Carly stood staring angrily at him before she stepped around him, quickly retreating, resolute to be more careful.
Who is disturbing Carly's sleep? Watching her from windows? Why is Lord Huntington so passionately disappointed? Why is he passionate at all? What boils beneath the surface of this household?
Join me on Friday to learn more. Thanks for reading!
Ellise ;)
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