“Of course.”
“Thank you so much for coming today, Miss Phillips,” Mrs Bailey addressed her. “I will write to you once the decision has been made to inform you of whatever has been decided.”
“Thank you,” Miss Phillips nodded and walked away, leaving Edward alone with Mrs Bailey.
“My Lord, you are already aware I have been conducting interviews for Miss Amy. Would you prefer if I make a short list of candidates, and you might want to interview them as well?”
“Please do not concern yourself with such formalities, Mrs Bailey,” Edward quickly said, “I have no interest in the decision, as I already informed you. You can go ahead and hire whoever fits the position best. The decision is entirely yours.”
“Are you sure, My Lord? Because it will be no trouble at all if you are willing to go through it.”
“No, I am not troubled about it in any capacity,” he replied sternly, immediately regretting his words.
“Whatever your decision, My Lord,” the housekeeper said, “I will inform you once the decision has been made.”
“Perfect.”
***
“You must be Miss Jennings, I assume?” Ophelia nodded at the older woman standing in front of her, dressed in a modest grey dress. She was certain that the woman must be the housekeeper, considering how she was dressed and her general demeanour.
“I am,” Ophelia answered confidently, “and you are?”
“Mrs Bailey. I am the housekeeper,” she answered, confirming Ophelia’s judgement, “please come inside.”
Both Ophelia and Mr Brown walked inside the manor, the grandeur reminding Ophelia of her own house, but she immediately shook her head to let go of such thoughts. She was here to embark on a new journey, and thoughts of the past would only slow her down and erode her confidence. She could not let that happen.
“Mr Brown, can you wait for me here?” Ophelia asked Mr Brown, motioning towards the sofas in the hall as Mrs Bailey ushered her towards the drawing room. Mr Brown nodded, smiling at her.
Ophelia was glad to have him beside her since his presence gave her much-needed confidence. She could not understand the reason behind her nervousness, but it was probably only because of her intense need for this job. She could not make a mistake at any cost. They entered the drawing room, and Ophelia waited for Mrs Bailey to sit before sitting right in front of her.
“Miss Jennings, you appear younger than I expected.”
“I am older than I might look,” she said with a smile, “and much wiser.”
“I do not doubt that.” The older woman smiled back. Ophelia could see she looked stern, but her expression still had affection and warmth, making her look kind. “Your letter mentioned that you have never worked as a nanny before. Have you held any other jobs?”
“Nothing of this magnitude,” Ophelia answered honestly, not wanting to begin or achieve something on the basis of a lie, “I have been working since I was seventeen, but all of them were smaller jobs about town. However, I am educated and have a vast general knowledge, and I believe I will be quite well suited to being a nanny or even a governess.”
“How do I believe you?”
“As my letter mentioned, I have grown up caring for my younger siblings. My brother is only three years old, and I have taken care of him since he was just an infant. I am rather adept at handling babies.”
“Miss Amy is a very special child, but unlike most children, she is an orphan. Both her parents have passed away, and her uncle, The Earl of Sommers, is her guardian. Hence, she is staying here at the manor. She has not received nurturing love or motherly affection since the beginning. Do you believe you can take care of her?”
“She is very young, Mrs Bailey, and I know what it feels like to lose a parent, considering I have lost my father. I think I can take care of her better than anyone else.”
Ophelia did not know where her confidence emerged from, but everything she said came directly from the heart. She believed she could take care of Amy, and she would prove herself no matter what it took.
“I admire your belief in yourself, Miss Jennings,” Mrs Bailey replied, “I hope these are not just empty words.”
“I am anything but a liar.” Ophelia smiled.
“I assume you are not located in the vicinity. Will you be alright with being so far away from your family?”
“There is no harm in being away from one’s family if it is because of work.”
“You are very right, Miss Jennings.” Mrs Bailey nodded. “Do you have any questions for me?”
