Monday, October 24, 2011 -- The Governess -- A Twice Weekly Blog

Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 19 continued:

Carly was thoroughly enjoying the company of Deborah Thompson, her seamstress.  It was raining again, and only having come to visit and say hello, she ended up spending a couple hours of trying on gowns, helping to stitch some, and talking and laughing at secret revelations. 

            “I simply adore him, Lady Carly.  It has been my wish since my sixteenth birthday that he would propose marriage to me.”  Deborah was blushing as she divulged her secrets. 

            Carly’s eyes were wide in amazement at discovering the life, trials, and challenges that this young girl faced.  Realizing that Deborah’s life circumstances had been made better only because of the kindnesses and charity bestowed upon her family by Lord Huntington, and previously by his father, she was astonished at his tender heart towards his tenants and their families’ needs.  Embarrassed at any thoughts to the contrary that she had ever had. 

            “I must pass his family’s farm each morning on my way here, and he seems to always find a reason to be close by to say hello, or to walk with me a ways.  He is simply wonderful!”  Giggling together, Carly silently wondered what it would be like to be so in love.  Never having known love besides that which she held for her family and friends, she suddenly thought of Lord Huntington and blushed, pricking her finger.  Quickly putting it in her mouth, she listened to Miss Deborah babble. 

            “Matthew says I should not be walking alone and all, but I must get here somehow.  I think if he could, he would walk with me the entire way.”  Deborah was beaming a beautiful smile as her heart showed upon her face. 

“It has been almost a year since anyone has gone missing…I wonder why?  I am so glad, of course, but what has happened to them, do you not wonder?  My brother, Paul, says he thinks they are dead.” 

Looking at each other with horror on their faces, Carly exclaimed, “What a ghastly thought!” 

As Carly quickly turned ashen, Deborah swiftly changed the subject realizing Lady Carly’s tender heart.  “I have always wanted to be a June bride.  But June is upon us!  I am afraid it will not happen this year.” 

            “Would you not marry in any other month if your dear Matthew asked you?”  Carly was very curious. 

            “Of course, but I would be so disappointed.  June brides are so very lovely!” 

            “But you would look the same, silly—in love—that is how you would look,” Carly exclaimed. 

Contemplating Carly’s wise words for a moment, Deborah suddenly asked, “Would you like to see the flower he gave me only just this morning?”  Digging into her bag, Deborah pulled from it a tiny book.  Carefully she opened its pages and pulled from between them a tiny little purple flower that was flattened. 

“Is it not beautiful?”                                                                            

Carly saw that it was merely a small weed that had flowered, but she smiled at Deborah’s enthusiastic response to her special gift from the one she most adored. 

            “It is quite lovely, Deborah.  I am sure you will treasure it always.”  Amazed and wondering at what Deborah was feeling, she thought to herself that she would very much like to try out this thing called love and the subsequent fluttering of happiness that would accompany it.  She was very happy for her newest friend. 

Thanks for reading with me today.  Join me on Friday for a haunting waltz.  :)
Ellise

Friday, October 21, 2011 -- The Governess -- A Twice Weekly Blog

Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 19:

It seemed that all the wonderfully laid plans had worked their magic.  Carly was so amazed at the immediate transformation in Jonathon.  Even Elspeth noticed the difference and praised him for it. 

He simply beamed. 

Carly knew that he had received much needed reassurance from the one he needed it most; and that he was, indeed, loved.  Carly thrilled at the success and the change in him. 

At every turn, she encouraged the children, praised them, and loved them.  Often, she made sure there was well-earned playtime upon the pirate ship.  Carly exacted from the children the best of manners and the following of rules and lessons completed, but she thoroughly enjoyed showering her affections upon these two delightful children. 

            Several times already, they had included the ship into their lessons by confiscating the globe from the study for their own purposes upon the ship and plotted their own course on trade routes around the world.  They explored, through their studies, the different textiles and spices, etc., that were traded upon these routes and studied further what would have been exchanged at these ports as well. 

Carly found that the children were avid learners, devouring the fun way in which they were learning their lessons on these excursions.  They would picnic upon the ship, pretending that they were eating the foreign foods from the various lands they visited.  In fact, May had gone as far as to plan around these expeditions, planning meals from her vast knowledge of cuisine from foreign lands.  Of course, there were the favorites…and the not so favorites. 

Life was good at Huntington Manor. 

*******

Many ladies and gentlemen of rank and position had called at Huntington Manor since the master’s return from London.  Carly was curious about these people.  The ladies seemed most desperate for Lord Huntington’s presence, his attentions.  One in particular. 

He, however, seemed bored by the whole affair. 

Why? 

Would the master not remarry and give these sweet children a mother?  He should, Carly thought. 

How judgmental I am?

Some of the ladies seemed quite upset at Carly’s presence when accidentally come upon in a secret garden or room. 

Disdain was something Carly was getting used to in this house of important people.  But she did not care.  She had her charges and her growing friends amongst the servants.  She was content. 

Or so she told herself…                              

It's always satisfying when our plans work out, especially when it involves the happiness of other people.  And what of satisfying curiosity?  I don't think Carly has had hers satisfied yet. 
Ellise