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.
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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
