If it was so wonderful, why was her governess trying to avoid looking at her? Evelyn said as much. Miss Brown turned and smiled, but Evelyn saw that the smile did not reach her eyes.
‘You are to have a private tutor. Isn’t that wonderful?’
‘A private tutor,’ Evelyn repeated. The opportunity of learning more than the basics filled her with a surge of nervous excitement. It meant that her parents thought her worthy of an education beyond what was required for a wife. ‘But why must you leave?’
‘I am not qualified to deliver the education that they now wish for you.’
Evelyn grew concerned. ‘Will I see you again?’ Her governess shook her head. ‘But where will you go?’
‘To Francis,’ she said, tearing a page from her journal and writing down the address. She pressed it into Evelyn’s hand and squeezed it for good measure. ‘So you see, Evelyn, there is no need for you to worry about me.’ The strength in her parting touch, conveyed more than any words she had spoken. Evelyn felt her heart breaking.
‘Have you been dismissed?’ asked Evelyn.
Miss Brown sniffed again and gave a curt nod. The packing resumed.
Any joy Evelyn had felt about her future plans began to drain away as Miss Brown was leaving and would not be part of them. A sense of panic surged through her as she realised she may never see her again. She flung her arms round her governess and buried her face into the crook of her shoulder.
‘Are they dismissing you because you fell asleep? I did not tell them. I didn’t.’
Miss Brown stroked her hair. ‘I know you did not. It is not because of that.’
A sob escaped Evelyn. ‘So why are you leaving me?’
‘Because I have to.’ Miss Brown stepped back from her embrace and held her hands. ‘You have hidden strengths to call upon should you need them, Evelyn. Remember that.’
They did not notice her father standing at the door. His sudden appearance gave them both a start.
‘It is time you were gone, Miss Brown. You are no longer welcome in this house.’
Miss Brown released Evelyn’s hands and squared up to Sir Robert. ‘Am I to be escorted from the house like a criminal?’
‘If needs be,’ her father replied.
The tense exchange frightened Evelyn. Why had her beloved governess fallen out of favour so quickly? She watched, confused, as Miss Brown picked up one of her bags.
‘I will make arrangements for my trunks to be collected,’ her governess said primly. ‘I have left my forwarding address with Evelyn.’ Without looking at either of them, she marched from the room.
Evelyn opened her hand. A name she recognised was neatly written on the crumpled paper. Below it was an address, but before she could read it, her father snatched the note from her. She continued to stare at her empty palm, confused and terrifiedby the speed of Miss Brown’s departure. She had to speak to her, despite what her father might say.
Evelyn ran from the room, ignoring her father’s orders for her to stop. She caught up with Miss Brown at the top of the stairs and flung herself into her arms. They silently embraced as Evelyn tried to memorise everything about her, the feel of her hair against her cheek, the warmth and comfort her body offered, the fragrance of lemon and bergamot that often tickled her nose. She squeezed her eyes shut as she locked the memories away one by one. One day she would revisit them when the pain was not so great. She wanted to tell her how much she loved her and would miss her, but all she could do was hold on to her while she was here. Finally, she knew what to say.
‘I hope you have a happy life, Miss Brown,’ whispered Evelyn, her voice ragged with emotion.
Miss Brown squeezed her tightly, before letting her go. She gave her a trembling smile as she picked up the bag she had dropped. It was the last time Evelyn would see her, but she could see from her expression that Evelyn’s parting words meant the world to her and would be forever remembered.
* * *
Drake removed his coat and shook the scattering of raindrops from it, before hanging it on a rusty nail. Mr Timmins had given him the afternoon off to study, but the old cleaning woman had chosen today to turn the bothy upside down. The storeroom was a good alternative. It was dry and quiet and the kittens would make good company, that’s if there was not already someone up there. He instinctively tilted an ear to listen, alert for the noise he thought he had heard. Yes, it was a shuffling noise, made by something far bigger than any kitten or rat.
Concerned for the kittens’ safety, he climbed the ladder. Miss Evelyn sat in the far corner with a kitten on her lap. She was on her own. He had not seen her alone since the first day he had shown her the kittens. He knew a girl of her standing would not normally be left alone in a boy’s company. He looked around, half expecting someone to jump out upon them.
‘Where is Miss Brown?’ he asked.
Miss Evelyn continued to stroke the kitten. She did not look at him.
‘She has been dismissed.’
She offered no more explanation and he felt it was not his place to ask. He was intruding and his mother’s warning came to mind. He began to climb down.
