“Yes, My Lord,” Rosalie agreed.
After everything had been settled, Rosalie was taken to her room by Josephine, who seemed a little less chatty now than before. Rosalie wondered why that was so.
“I liked Miss. Montgomery,” Josephine finally spoke up, as she opened the closet and placed inside a long, plain skirt, a blouse which was to be buttoned up to the neck, alongside a pair of black boots and a wide belt. “But she was no good with the girls. Too lenient.”
“Was she?” Rosalie asked, seated on the bed, by the window.
Before, she used to shy away from the light. Now, in this house, she welcomed it.
“Perhaps she simply didn’t know how to approach the girls,” Rosalie continued.
“They didn’t used to be like this, you know,” Josephine added more quietly, as if someone might overhear them. She placed a shawl and a bonnet inside the closet, next to the other items. “It all started after their parents died.”
“My goodness,” Rosalie gasped. She slumped her shoulders and fell silent.
“They were off for a daily visit one morning,” Josephine started explaining. “The girls were supposed to go with them, but Cecilia felt a little under the weather, so the parents decided to leave the children at home. It was mere providence, Miss. Blake. Because they were accosted on the way there. And they were…” Josephine obviously didn’t wish to say it out loud. Rosalie understood.
“Those poor children,” Rosalie wailed.
“Miss. Montgomery believed they would forget all about that if they only focused on their lessons,” Josephine continued. “But that is not true.”
“Not true, indeed,” Rosalie nodded.
“Well,” Josephine suddenly clapped her hands together, as if she was dusting them off, “I shall go to the kitchen to fetch you that concoction the good doctor ordered and bring it to you shortly.”
“Thank you,” Rosalie smiled. “I really appreciate it.”
“Of course.” Josephine smiled back, then left the room.
* * *
The day of the first lesson came quickly. Rosalie stood in the well-lit room, with big windows. The walls were adorned with paintings, and a big oak bookcase stood in the corner. Cecilia was already seated at the big table, which rested in the middle of the room, while Madeline seemed to ponder something to herself by the window.
Rosalie had a book in her hands - actually several. She wasn’t sure where to begin, or even if they would be able to begin on this day. It all depended on so many things. But Rosalie was determined to do a good job, so she could remain hiding here, away from that monster.
“It is a lovely day, isn’t it?” Rosalie asked, hoping for Madeline to reply.
Cecilia lifted her gaze which was a moment ago, focused on a piece of paper, with an unfinished drawing. She didn’t reply.
Madeline turned to her. “Too bad we must spend it inside.” She sighed, turning back to the window.
Somewhere in the distance, Rosalie could hear dogs barking. She wondered if those were the two puppies from several nights ago.
“That is not necessarily true,” Rosalie replied, and both girls’ eyes were fixated on her.
She took a step to Madeline, who immediately pulled back. Rosalie stood in place. She knew what it was like to be mesmerized by something, and at the same time, fear it. She had to give the girls some time.
“We could have our first lesson outside, in nature,” Rosalie suggested.
The girls looked at her suspiciously, as if they expected Rosalie to catch them in a trap with this enticing proposal.
“We could…” Rosalie continued, walking over to a desk in the corner, and picking up watercolors which lay on top of it, “paint what we see and discuss it.”
“Miss. Montgomery would never allow that.” Madeline shook her head, the little frown on her face showing how she felt about her previous governess.
“Well, Miss. Montgomery isn’t here, is she?” Rosalie smiled. “Cecilia, please get a few more papers, and bring them along. I absolutely agree with Madeline. It is such a lovely day, that it would be a shame to waste it inside.”
Fifteen minutes later, Rosalie and the girls were nestled cozily in the woods from which she had arrived that fateful night. She gazed around her in awe, how different everything was, simply because it was washed over by sunlight, and not moonlight. The trees weren’t ominous. The branches weren’t trying to claw at her. Nature welcomed them with open arms.
