She nodded, her heart in her throat. She was so nervous about this encounter – wanted so badly to get it. Henrietta had told her a little bit about the family she was interviewing with that day. They were the family of the Duke of Stoneham, who was greatly revered among the Ton. According to Henrietta, Mrs Emily Radcliffe had been living in the Caribbean and had only just returned to London with her small daughter.
It was opportune timing, truly, as they were all new to London and needed something specific. Those needs aligned with each other in a way that they could be of service to one another.
The butler led her through the house to a formal sitting room where a lovely lady who appeared not much older than Victoria was waiting. She smiled when she saw Victoria and stood from the chair she had been sitting in.
“Miss Clifford to see you, madam,” the butler announced with a bow.
Mrs Radcliffe nodded and replied, “Thank you, Carter.” Turning her gaze to Victoria, she continued, “Please have a seat, Miss Clifford.”
Victoria hurried to take the chair across from the woman.
She waited for the butler to leave before saying, “Thank you for coming in today. I appreciate your time.”
Victoria blinked, somewhat surprised by the gracious statement. “Oh, well…it is no problem at all. Thank you for inviting me in today.”
Mrs Radcliffe folded her hands in her lap and regarded Victoria with a kind and polite expression.
“Now, tell me, Miss Clifford, why would you be a fit for this post?”
Victoria straightened her shoulders and met Mrs Radcliffe’s gaze as she answered, “Well, I am very fond of children and have had a hand in helping my mother to raise my three younger siblings. I believe myself to be patient and empathetic toward them. Still, I also understand that sometimes a firm hand must be used to properly form a young girl or boy into a proper member of society.”
Mrs Radcliffe nodded, seemingly pleased with that answer.
She asked, “What about education? I very much want whoever takes this position to also be able to teach my daughter and provide lessons for her regularly. Is this something you believe yourself able to take on?”
“Oh, yes, madam,” Victoria answered eagerly. “Very much so. I received an education while living in France, and I am more than happy to share my knowledge with your daughter.”
Mrs Radcliffe smiled. Victoria could not help but admire her smooth cheeks and fetching eyes. Had things gone differently for her, Victoria would be the one sitting in Mrs Radcliffe’s seat, trying to find someone to help care for her own child. She felt a small pang in her heart as she considered once more what she was giving up, but she pushed it quickly away.
She was being silly and overly sentimental. Just because she chose to work as a governess did not mean she had to give up the idea of a family of her own…it would just be a bit more difficult to have it. And the chances of her marrying a man of rank and wealth would be all but nonexistent.
Clenching her hands in her lap, Victoria forced her depressing thoughts away and focused on Mrs Radcliffe and what she was saying.
“Now, Lily can be a bit shy when meeting new people,” the lady explained. “When she saw my brother for the first time, she would hardly stay in the same room with him. It does not take long for her to warm up to others, so you might need to give her some time and patience.”
Victoria nodded. “That is not a problem. I understand how it can be difficult for some children to trust strangers immediately. I think it shows a proper level of caution.”
Mrs Radcliffe chuckled. “I believe my brother would agree with you on that point. Now, Miss Clifford, do you mind if I ask you a few questions that are of a more personal nature?”
“Not at all,” Victoria answered, though she was not certain what the lady could want to know. She felt a little nervous but schooled her features to appear calm and collected.
“I hope you do not find this question offensive,” Mrs Radcliffe began, “but why is such a lovely young lady applying to be a governess? In her letter putting your name forth as a candidate, Mrs Longmore said that you have been living in France for most of your life. Why would you seek a position here in England rather than France?”
That question might have come across as a judgement from anyone else, but there was no censure in Mrs Radcliffe’s tone. She appeared to be genuinely curious and nothing more.
Should she tell the lady the truth? Victoria was hesitant. The fall of her family had been the very reason that she could not find employment in France. If she revealed all to Mrs Radcliffe, would the woman lose interest in her too?
She gazed into the lady’s bright green eyes for a moment, searching for any signs of malice or ill-intent. Victoria could not see anything other than curiosity and interest.
What was her alternative to telling the truth? If she lied or tried to avoid the question, there was no guarantee Mrs Radcliffe would not stumble upon the truth sooner or later. Then what would happen? She would surely become furious with Victoria and not only fire her but spread word across the city that she was not to be trusted.
Such an outcome would be disastrous. If Victoria was upfront about the matter, Mrs Radcliffe might not hire her. Still, she would also be less likely to blacklist her name all over London.
She remained hesitant, so Victoria replied, “I wished to experience the land of my birth, and what better way than to join the household of a respectable family?”
“And your family is all right with you leaving?” Mrs Radcliffe asked.
Victoria forced a nonchalant smile and answered, “Oh, yes, madam. Of course, they miss me, but I intend to send some of my earnings back home to help support my siblings in their endeavours.”
