“Miss Delia and I must discuss your education, then we can come to know each other. Perhaps a picnic for luncheon would be nice. It promises to be a lovely day even for the first of January.”
Delia’s face hardened as she pursed her lips, not happy to be usurped from her position. Althea must win her over or the next month would be a battle of wills without any accomplishments toward education.
As the youngest of the sisters left the dining room, Althea focused on Delia. “Would you like to show me the schoolroom, or would you rather we discuss where the girls are in their studies?”
“It would be useless to explain the lessons without visiting the schoolroom.”
It would not, but Althea did not argue.
“If you will follow me.” Delia stood, her manner being no different than the lady of the manor.
After being given a tour of the schoolroom and explained to as if she’d never seen a book before, Althea now knew where each child was in their studies, including Delia, who once again insisted that she’d learn all that was necessary and would supervise the education of her siblings.
During the tour, Althea listened and studied the girl, then settled at a desk. “I’m not your enemy.”
“I don’t consider you as such,” Delia assured her.
“You have no faith in my skills.”
“You’ve not been a governess before,” Delia countered.
“Nor have you,” Althea returned.
“Have you ever had a governess,” Delia demanded.
Althea had met misses like Delia in London. They were defensive and feared any threat to their position in Society. Here, Delia was threatened by Althea’s presence in the schoolroom. “I was guided by a governess from the age of six until sixteen.”
Delia gave a sniff of superiority. “Was it the same governess, or did you endure several over the years and if so, why did they leave?”
She was to be interviewed by a near child. Althea drew a deep breath and willed herself to be calm, though she was quickly losing her patience.
“Miss Landry was with me for the whole of my education,” Althea answered. “I was an excellent student.”
“All of those years? Did she want nothing else for herself?”
Miss Landry wanted so many things, and it pained Althea knowing what had been denied her due to circumstances. None of which were Delia’s concern. “Miss Landry was not afforded the privilege of being the daughter of a wealthy viscount.” That was all she was going to say on the matter.
“Do you want nothing else for yourself?” Delia asked. “Why aren’t you with family? Why decide to become a governess to strangers?”
Had Delia always been unpleasant, or had the circumstances of earlier last year made her such? While Althea did understand her suspicion, as the situation of how she came to be here was quite out of the ordinary, she was not going to share private information with a child.
“I’ve had Seasons, four if you must know, and find that I long for something more challenging than attending house parties and such until the Season begins.” As she said the words, Althea realized that she also spoke the truth. She had grown bored with Society, but until given this opportunity, she had little choice in how she must go about. “Lord Melcombe’s offer may just be what I’ve been seeking.”
Delia snorted. “That is an answer for a spinster who couldn’t land a husband.”
Her words stung, though they were the truth. However, Althea was only three and twenty, not yet on the shelf. “You know nothing about me.”
“True, but I suspect your desire to be here has nothing to do with teaching the wards of a viscount, but your true interest is in my uncle since you failed on the marriage mart.”
Delia not only feared her position in the schoolroom but perhaps the household as well, even if she was only fifteen. “I can assure you that is not the reason I took the position.” It was only a partial lie, as she was also hiding from her uncle.
“I don’t believe you,” Delia declared as she fisted her hands on her hips. “I think you failed in finding a husband and when you met my uncle you realized you had one last chance at marriage and took advantage of the situation.”
“I was on a journey to see my mother’s family when I encountered your younger sister, then the rest of you and saw a need. I thought perhaps I could be of service.” Althea hated that she was now the one on the defense.
“One does not change their plans so abruptly. Only someone who has nothing else.”
It was clear that Delia wished to drive her from Ambrose Hall, but Althea had no intention of leaving. “You are correct. I have nothing else, other than family, and no hopes of marriage.” She paused in thought, then leaned in. “May I confide in you?”
