Fenella J. Miller (3 page)

She glanced at the mantle clock relieved to see it was only a quarter past seven. She had been sent a message to be in the school room at eight-thirty to meet Miss Amanda.

Dressed in a crisp grey cambric gown, with high neck and long sleeves, she felt ready to start her duties. Molly had arranged her hair in a bun on the nape of her neck, because she knew that it added five years to her appearance, even if it was decidedly unflattering.

‘Thank you, Molly. I think I am ready to meet Miss Amanda Anderson.’

Molly shook out the remaining creases in her gown and stood back, her head tilted on one side.

‘Mrs Green is right, Miss Roberts, you’re far too thin. But I reckon living here will soon make you right.’

Cassie shook her head in despair. However hard she and Ann had tried, Molly found it impossible to curb her tongue, and said exactly what she was thinking, regardless of how inappropriate it might be.

‘I would like you to launder the clothes I travelled in, Molly and get them dry and pressed. If you haven’t finished unpacking my trunk and pressing the garments from it, you could do that as well. Apart from that I suggest that you get to know the house and the other staff. Perhaps, as it doesn’t appear to be raining today, Miss Amanda and I shall be able to go out for a walk later on and I shall require you to accompany us.’

‘Yes, miss, that’s hardly anything at all. Shall I offer to help out downstairs, if they need me?’

‘Yes, of course; if you wish to, ask Mrs Green if there’s anything you can do when you’ve finished my chores.’

Mary was waiting to take her along to the schoolrooms. It seemed that Miss Amanda had her rooms on the same floor as she did, so it was a mere three doors, and a short length of passageway, to her destination.

Mary vanished through a hidden door in the panelling leaving Cassie standing alone. She stiffened her spine and fixed a friendly smile on her face before pushing open the door. The room was empty. She looked at the mantle clock, it was exactly the time she had been instructed to meet her charge. Well, perhaps the child had overslept, she must allow her a little leeway on their first morning.

She wandered about the room picking up books and looking at the spines, glad to see there were as many storybooks as books of information. There was a board for her to write on, and chalk and duster close by. There were slates, paper and drawing and painting materials.

There was even a handsome globe on a wooden stand by the window. She spun it with one finger, seeing the names of faraway places flash before her eyes, regretting that she would never have the opportunity to see them for herself. The room, like the rest of the huge establishment, was sparkling clean, the desk and her own table polished to a high shine, the curtains at the window, although made from a plain navy blue material looked freshly washed. All the chairs had cushions on their seats which were made of matching stuff.

She had examined every article in the spacious room and still her pupil did not arrive. This was not a good start, she would have to go and find her. She glanced at the clock for the fourth time and saw that it was now a little after nine o’clock. Why had no-one come to explain to her why Miss Amanda was tardy? She might only be a governess, but she should be shown respect, especially from the child she was supposed to be responsible for.

She walked across to the bell strap and pulled it sharply. Five minutes later Mary appeared, an anxious frown on her open features. ‘Is something wrong, miss?’

‘Miss Amanda has not arrived. She is now thirty-five minutes late. Could you please conduct me to her chamber?’

‘But, Miss Roberts, she’s downstairs waiting for you with Mr Anderson. They’ve been in the library for ever so long.’

Cassie felt sick. She was so sure she’d been told to be in the school rooms, but she must have got it wrong.  It was she who was late, disastrously so. ‘Mary, please conduct me to the library. Mr Anderson will be so angry and I had wanted to make a good impression.’ She knew it was inappropriate to discuss such things with the staff, but she had spoken out loud without thinking.

‘Come along, Miss Roberts, I’ll take you down. It’s a misunderstanding, nobody’s fault. I’m sure the master will understand.’ The girl smiled. ‘Miss Amanda’s a sweet child, poor motherless mite, she’ll not mind how late you are, as long as you’re here. She’s been that desperate to have a new governess, since the last one left in such a hurry three months ago.’

Chapter Three

Cassie scarcely noticed the startled expressions of a footman, and Foster the butler, as she ran past, one step behind Mary. The house was so spacious it took them a further five minutes to reach their destination. The library door was open and she could hear the soft murmur of voices inside. She paused, trying to steady her ragged breathing and Mary quickly shook out her skirts and gave her a sympathetic smile.

With a shaking hand Cassie tapped nervously on the door. She expected an answer barked from Mr Anderson, but instead she heard the light treble of a child’s voice.

‘Papa, here she is. Someone must have gone to fetch her.’ Running footsteps came towards her and the door swung back to reveal a girl with blonde ringlets and pale blue eyes. The child dipped in a careful curtsy.

‘Miss Roberts, please do come in, we were becoming anxious and thought perhaps you were unwell this morning. I have been so looking forward to meeting you, did you have a good journey?’

The carefully rehearsed greeting was repeated with a happy smile. It was hard to be nervous when greeted with such affection. Cassie took the proffered hand in hers and smiled down at her charge.

 ‘Thank you for making me so welcome, Miss Amanda, I can assure you that I am delighted to be here. I must apologise for my tardiness. ‘ She paused and looked up at Mr Anderson who was standing with his back to the fire, his face stern and uncompromising. ‘I had been under the misapprehension that I was to wait in the school room, I have been doing so since thirty minutes past eight. It is only now that I’ve discovered my error, it’s not a good start, and I beg your pardon most sincerely.’

Did she detect a slight thaw in his expression? ‘School room? Amanda, can you remember what you wrote in your note to Miss Roberts?’

Cassie felt the hand in hers twitch. ‘I’m sorry, Papa, but I cannot remember. I thought I had said the library, but it is very likely that I said the school room, I was so excited when I wrote it that I could have put the stable and then where would we be?’

‘I see – well there’s no harm done, but I believe that you owe Miss Roberts an apology?’

Amanda grinned up at Cassie. ‘I apologise, Miss Roberts, and I’ll explain how it happened later.’

Puzzled by this cryptic answer Cassie nodded. ‘I think it’s best if we forget all about it, Miss Amanda.’

She had in her hand an outline of the subjects she intended to teach her charge, the hours in which these studies would take place, and how the other times in the day would be occupied. She offered them to Mr Anderson, but he shook his head.

‘No, Miss Roberts, I shall leave my daughter’s education in your capable hands. I am away on business a great deal, and need to have a responsible adult here in my absence. The housekeeper and butler take care of the staff and I have an excellent estate manager, but what I don’t have is anyone to take care of my daughter. That is to be your role, as long as Amanda is happy and not running wild about the place then I shall be content.’

Cassie was speechless. She stared round eyed at her employer as though he had just stepped straight from Bedlam. Not interested in his daughter’s education? Only concerned with her happiness? That hardly fitted with his stern face and formidable appearance. ‘Thank you for your confidence in me, sir, I can assure you I shall not let you down. But what time do you wish to see Miss Amanda each day?’

‘I shall see her whenever I can. I shall come up to the school room when I have time or Amanda can come and see me if I’m not occupied. We sometimes ride out together in the mornings when I’m here; do you ride, Miss Roberts?’

It was a long time since Cassie had done so, but as a girl she had been a noted horsewoman. ‘I do, but unfortunately I’ve not had the opportunity recently. I should like to accompany you sometimes, sir, if that’s possible.’

‘Not only possible, it’s essential. Also, when I’m away, I wish you to continue with Amanda’s riding.’

Cassie could feel the small hand in hers was shaking and glanced down; where had all the joy gone from the little girl’s face? What had her father said to make her quiver with fear? There was more going on here then she understood, but no doubt she would understand after she’d been in his employment for a while.

She drew the child closer to her, slipping her arm around the girl’s shoulders. Cassie felt the press of the small body against her hip and knew she had made the right move. ‘Do you wish me to dine with you in the evenings, sir? I would
prefer
to eat with Miss Amanda in the school room.’

‘I rarely dine at home, Miss Roberts. However, when I do, I shall require your company, otherwise you may please yourself.’

She noticed a slight pinching at his nostrils and he appeared to be having difficulty swallowing. There was something very amiss here, but now was not the time to delve into it. Her employer’s health problems were not hers, her sole responsibility was for little girl leaning trustingly against her side.

She half curtsied and raising her head spoke firmly. ‘If that’s all, sir, pray excuse us, we are already late starting today’s lessons.’ She turned swiftly and escorted Amanda from the library feeling his eyes boring in to her back, not knowing what she’d said or done that had caused him so much disquiet.

The morning passed swiftly, she soon discovered that Amanda was an able pupil and eager to learn. Although her father had been disinterested in the timetable, Cassie felt it was important that her pupil knew what to expect each day and what lessons had to be prepared each evening.

Amanda had told her she had a nursemaid and a nanny still in attendance, and that they looked after her in the evening.

‘Do you never see your father after supper, Miss Amanda?’

‘He’s rarely in, Miss Roberts. That’s why I told him you were to come to the library when I’d told you to wait in the schoolroom. That way I was certain to have at least some time with Papa. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.’

‘I understand absolutely, my dear. You must find every opportunity you can to spend time with Mr Anderson. He is obviously a devoted parent and enjoys your company.’ Cassie smiled as she continued. ‘Now, about the evenings, you were going to tell me what normally happens here.’

‘I always eat my tea in the nursery, and then play with my doll’s house or perhaps read. It would be wonderful to eat with you sometimes if that’s possible.’

‘Is there a small dining room, one that is used just for the family?’

The girl nodded vigorously, her fair ringlets bobbing on her shoulders. ‘There is, it’s where Papa eats when he’s at home. Are you suggesting that we use it when he’s not?’

‘I am, yes. I hardly think it’s fair to ask the staff to carry up trays of food every night if we can bring ourselves downstairs. We can change for dinner and pretend we are grown-ups. I have two smart gowns, do you have something suitable?’

‘I do, I have hundreds of gowns; the seamstress in the village is forever coming to make me fresh ones. Do you know there are some hanging in my closet that I’ve never worn and never will, as I’ve already grown out of them.’

They went downstairs to luncheon which was served in the breakfast parlour. It consisted of cold cuts, warm pasties, fruit and buttermilk, more than adequate for a midday repast, Cassie thought. After lunch was a time for recreation. She had planned to go for a walk but the weather outside made that impossible.

 ‘Shall we go back up to the nursery, Miss Amanda, and you can show me what games you have, or perhaps you would like to play a game of hide and go seek?’ This last suggestion was greeted with squeals of delight.

So the day passed and the more time she spent with her charge the more Cassie loved her. There had been no mention of the mother, when she’d died or how, and she did not feel she knew Amanda well enough to question her. One thing she had discovered was that the child was quite happy to stay indoors, in fact positively revelled in the bad weather. The last thing she said as they embraced before retiring that evening was that she hoped it was still raining in the morning.

Cassie returned to her apartment with a lot of things to consider. She had been so busy all day there had hardly been time to think about what pandemonium might be taking place back at Upton Manor. Her disappearance would have been noted two days since, but would her uncle have sent out the constables to search for her? He would be in a black rage, of that she was certain.

 He hated to have his plans thwarted, and would know that once his quarry had flown he was unlikely to get his hands on her again. She thought of her cousin Peregrine, he might be having a poor time of it at the moment, but in the future his life would be better. His parents knew his limitations, and that no one else was likely to marry him, and without their captive bride she hoped they would leave him alone to live his simple life.

Should she be worrying about her past? No, she had put that behind her, started a new life here, had a new name and employment in a grand house. In fact she felt sure that Sir John would give up his search after a few days when he failed to find her and spend the next nine months trying to steal as much as he could from her trust fund whilst he was still her legal guardian.

She and Ann had planned her escape carefully and considered every detail. As soon as she’d taken her friend’s name she had become invisible to anyone who didn’t know her. If enquiries were ever made in this remote part of the country, Miss Ann Roberts would be the governess not Miss Cassandra Forsyth.

Ann’s intention had been to leave the village, ostensibly to take up this employment, but she would arrive in Martlesham as Mrs Davina Harper, the widow of a hero of Waterloo. It had been planned in every particular, no one would be looking for a Mrs Davina Harper, they would be looking for a Miss Cassandra Forsythe. Their plan, in her opinion, was faultless.