Miss Jennings
“Miss Jennings?” Amelia asked as soon as Ophelia was done writing, who chuckled at the question.
“It is Mama’s maiden name,” Ophelia explained. “I have to appear like a commoner and cannot reveal my true identity. That information has already caused me so many jobs in the past and I absolutely cannot afford any such thing again. It is better if they are unaware of who I am.”
Ophelia sealed the envelope as her sisters looked at her worriedly, but she was filled with a newfound hope. It almost felt as if she was doing the right thing, and this time, she would definitely not be rejected. God would not be so unkind to her.
***
“Mr Brown!?” Ophelia ran inside the local solicitor’s office, the letter that had just been delivered to her still in her hand. She had been so excited after reading the letter that she knew she had come looking for the kind man in the village who was fond of their family and had been there for them throughout.
“Miss Ophelia? Is everything alright?” he asked, standing up from his chair, the worry in his expression evident. Ophelia breathed deeply and smiled at him, trying to assure him he had no reason to be concerned.
“Everything is perfect,” she nodded, and he resumed his seat with a nod. Ophelia pulled out a chair and sat in front of him, still smiling from ear to ear.
“Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected and rather … excited visit?” he asked, pausing to find the right word.
Ophelia extended the letter towards him wordlessly as he read on, the smile on his face growing before he looked at her again.
“I applied for a nanny position at the Earl of Sommers’ household and have been selected to interview. However, the manor is rather far from here, and Mother will never let me travel alone, and she cannot accompany me and leave everyoneelse here alone. Will you be kind enough to come with me, Mr Brown?”
“First of all, I must congratulate you, Miss Ophelia. I had no idea you were searching for a job!”
“Mother needs financial help to run the house, and I would prefer if the help came from me rather than our family being indebted to someone. Hence, I decided to look for a job and have finally received good news. Please tell me you will come with me?”
Ophelia looked at him pleadingly, hoping for him to say yes. He was an extremely kind old man, and Ophelia had always felt close to him since his nature reminded her of her father. Hence, she knew he would rescue her now when she needed him. Without a moment’s delay, Mr Brown nodded, and Ophelia could not help squealing with delight.
“Truly? You will come?”
“Of course I will,” he replied, chuckling, “when do we have to leave?”
“Well, it appears that the earl is in a hurry to hire a nanny and has invited me to attend as soon as possible. We must leave right now.”
“Right now?”
“I cannot risk losing this opportunity, Mr Brown,” she replied, standing up from the chair and carefully folding her letter. “I have already been rejected from other places, and this is the only option I have left now.”
“You got rejected? Why so?”
“I introduced myself as the daughter of the deceased viscount and my mere linkage to the ton made the positions of a governess or a nanny unfit for me,” Ophelia sighed, remembering the mistake she had made.
“It doesn’t matter,” Mr Brown replied, “I will hire a carriage, and we will leave right now. Go and inform your mother and return here as soon as you possibly can, and we shall leave at once.”
“You are the kindest, Mr Brown.”
Ophelia raced back home, the thought of her impending interview consuming her entirely. Her mother was already waiting for her to return, eager to know if Mr Brown had agreed to go or not, and Ophelia ran and hugged her in excitement. She had not even received the job yet, but the mere idea of the interview made her feel excellent.
“I assume he has agreed?” her mother asked, laughing, and Ophelia nodded. Her happiness and enthusiasm had alwaysbeen contagious, and she could see her mother just as happy about it as her.
“He has agreed,” she replied, walking into the small room she shared with her sisters, packing her satchel alongside as her mother followed after her. “He is hiring a carriage for the journey right now, and we will leave right away so I can be there quickly.”
“Oh Ophelia, you must thank him from me. He has never been unkind to us,” her mother said, “and once you have returned with good news, I shall go thank him myself.”
Ophelia kept everything she might need and went to stand before her mother, finally showing the nervousness she was beginning to feel about the whole ordeal. She had indeed pursued small jobs in the town, but she had never worked as a nanny. She did not know if she was even going to be right for the job, but still had to try.
“Do you truly believe I will return with happy news, Mother?”
“You are both smart and talented, my daughter, and you have never failed at anything. You are kind and warm, and that is exactly what a child requires. You will take care of this baby just like you took care of your siblings and will be able to secure the position. Just have faith in yourself.”
