“If what you claim is true, then that is beyond a doubt, Miss. Blake,” he admitted, allowing a mild look of surprise to wash over his face. Then, he was grave once more.
She knew that he was still doubting her. He was weighing it all in his mind, wondering what would be, the best course of action. He sighed, before he spoke again.
“I assure you that I do not care much for references. Those are just words. I care for action. I wish to see with my own eyes that you are able to transfer that knowledge onto the girls. Also, what is yet to be determined is whether you are willing to take the girls under your wing, so to say? They are a handful, as you yourself have seen.”
“I have seen that” she confirmed. “But I also know that, if they hadn’t disobeyed you and went out into the storm, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you. I dread to think where I would be.” Her voice trailed off. She hid her gaze underneath her long, cinder-colored eyelashes, then cracked her fingers once.
“Miss. Blake, you shouldn’t fill your mind with such bleak thoughts,” he advised her.
“Sometimes, it is impossible to escape them,” she said, mysteriously. Then, immediately followed, not giving him a chance to say anything to that. “But, as for the position of the governess, I would consider myself fortunate to accept it.”
At this point, she had done all she could. The rest was in his hands. Her safety, her future, her life.
“Then, the matter is settled,” he finally got up, nodding.
Rosalie felt ecstatic, but she showed none of it. She smiled sweetly, knowing that fate had looked upon her kindly for the first time in her life. Perhaps, she would not end up back in that house of horrors, shackled to the man whose very name made her blood run cold.
Chapter 8
The morning of the day following this decisive conversation, found Rosalie in the parlor. She was sitting next to Edmund, a little unnerved by such closeness. The Countess was seated in an antique armchair, with a cushion to the side, which the Countess kept adjusting endlessly. The girls were there, as well. She couldn’t help but see their mesmerized stares. However, she never held it against children. Children couldn’t help themselves. Their pure hearts knew no deceit, and when they did not understand something, they asked, with no harm intended.
“I have gathered you all here for a very specific reason,” Edmund announced to everyone.
Suddenly, Rosalie felt that same suffocating feeling. She would be the center of attention. They would stare at her, and leer. They would point fingers and laugh. She took a deep breath, trying to remind herself that she was far away from that damned place. They couldn’t hurt her anymore. She tried to focus on Edmund’s voice.
“Miss. Montgomery is no longer with us, of her own accord,” Edmund explained. The girls didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they were smiling, like two little animals who had been caged, and now someone had forgotten to close the door. “But that does not mean that chaos will ensue.” Edmund shook his head. “The girls will continue with their lessons with their new governess.”
He paused on purpose. She knew that. He turned to her. Then, everyone followed. She felt her lips drying up. She could barely swallow.
“Miss. Blake,” Edmund revealed.
The girls smiled. Rosalie wasn’t sure if that was because their old governess was gone or if she was the reason for their gladness.
“Now, girls, I warn you,” he told them with his most stern voice. “I do not wish to hear anything about a possible mischief on your part. Miss. Blake is your fifth governess, and if she leaves like the rest of them, I’m afraid you will leave me with no other choice.”
His voice was slightly ominous, and Rosalie could see that the girls perfectly understood what he was referring to. Most certainly a boarding school for girls, far away from this place, from their family. His threat lingered in the air above them, like a cloud promising rain and thunder.
They nodded; their bright little eyes focused on Rosalie. The Countess didn’t express an opinion. Rosalie knew this was probably because it was highly unconventional to hire someone like that, on the spot, without any references. She too was doubtful. However, even if she disagreed with this decision, the Countess didn’t show it.
Instead, she got up, and walked over to Rosalie, who immediately stood up herself.
“In that case, my dear, you will be shown to your room,” she smiled, and Rosalie felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Also, I suppose you have no clothes lying around somewhere in the woods, now do you?”
“No, My Lady,” Rosalie chuckled softly. The girls did as well.
“Then, some shall be provided for you,” she continued, with a hint of a smile on her face.
“That is most kind of you, My Lady,” Rosalie nodded. “I have no words to express how grateful I am, that you have not only saved me from the elements, but also extended your hospitality and accepted me into your home as your new governess.”
All eyes rested on her, but this time, she didn’t mind. These people had been nothing but courteous to her, despite her hellish arrival to this place and despite her appearance. She had been taught to believe, that people would never accept her as she was. She shouldn’t even hope for such kindness. And yet, these people were different. She could see it in their eyes. She could hear it in the softness of their voices when they spoke to her.
“It is us who shall be grateful, if you manage to tame these two little urchins,” the Countess smiled at her granddaughters.
“When do our lessons start, Miss. Blake?” Madeline asked first.
Her dark curls framed her face so sweetly, that Rosalie doubted they could be so unruly. And, yet, she had witnessed it herself. Cecilia seemed more mild-mannered, but her strings were pulled by her sister. That much was obvious even now.
“We shall let Miss. Blake rest for today as well,” Edmund answered. “Then, tomorrow, you shall inform her on your progress with Miss. Montgomery, and Miss. Blake will pick up where she left off.”
