Читать книгу More Than a Governess - Sarah Mallory - Страница 13

The following morning Juliana sallied forth upon her shopping expedition, accompanied by the four children. No sooner had the Collingham carriage departed than another, much less elegant equipage pulled up and the occupants were shown to Lady Varley’s sitting room.

‘Madame Fleurie!’ Lady Varley came out of her bedchamber, her eyebrows raised in surprise. ‘I had not expected to see you so soon. You have made up the gowns already?’

‘We ’ave been working through ze night, madame, but ze primrose muslin is of such a complexity that I need madame to try it on, if madame would be so kind?’

‘Oh, very well, but you must be quick, for I am very busy today.’

Lady Varley called for her maid and allowed herself to be draped in the soft fabric, which had been cut and partially sewn. Madame Fleurie set her minion to pin up the hem of the gown.

‘It ees a very becoming colour for you, madame,’ she said. ‘If I may mention it, my lady, when you did me the honour to visit me earlier this week, one of my assistants made a mistake: she gave one of your leetle girls a fashion doll. It was an error, madame, and I have reprimanded her, naturellement, for you see this was a special doll, dressed expressly for another of my clients. Madame, I am desolée, but I must have thees doll. Do you think—would it be possible for me to take it with me today?’

Lady Varley looked blank for a moment, then she nodded and instructed her maid to go to the schoolroom. ‘You are to find a doll.’

‘A leetle wooden lady, dressed in cherry brocade, à la Pompadour,’ added Madame Fleurie.

‘Yes, well, go and find it, and bring it here directly.’

‘Madame, you find me very grateful. If eet was for myself I would give your little children all my dolls, but this one is for a very special client, a very exacting lady…’ She let the words trail away, giving the impression that not all her clients were as accommodating as Lady Varley.

‘If you please, ma’am,’ said the maid, coming back into the room, ‘there is no doll in the schoolroom, nor in the children’s bedrooms either. And Miss Wilhelmina and Miss Gwendoline have gone out with the new governess.’

Lady Varley shrugged. ‘No matter, I will ask the children about it when they come back. Now, can we get on?’

The fitting had just finished and the gown was being packed away when a footman entered with a letter for Lady Varley. She snatched it from the tray, her brow clearing as she recognised her husband’s distinctive scrawl.

‘It is from Sir James. At last. I have been waiting to hear how the family goes on without me.’ She looked at Madame Fleurie. ‘I take it we have done, now?’

‘Indeed, madame, thank you for your time.’ She ushered her assistant out of the room, stopping at the door to turn back. ‘And if I may remind my lady, you will not forget the doll?’

‘Yes, yes, I will see to it,’ responded Lady Varley, impatiently waving her away.

She barely waited for the door to close before she tore open the letter and immersed herself in news from her home.

Juliana returned from her shopping trip feeling that she had achieved a great deal. She had made her purchases and placed orders for several books at Hatchards in Piccadilly, but, more than that, she thought that her charges had begun to accept her. Wilhelmina was no trouble at all; she and Amy had become firm friends. By the time they returned to Burlington Street, Wilhelmina was chattering away to Juliana as though she had known her all her life. Gwendoline was more reserved, but she had been perfectly well mannered during their excursion and Juliana was encouraged to think that the child was unbending a little towards her.

With the move to the north so imminent, Juliana did not attempt to establish a routine to the afternoon lesson, but chose instead to show the children maps and pictures of the north country, well aware that such a long journey to a place they had not seen for many years must be exciting and somewhat unnerving for her charges. She asked Mr Brasher for details of their route, and used the guidebook she had bought to describe the various towns they would pass through.

Juliana dined in the schoolroom again with the children, although Giles did not join them. He dined instead with his father and aunt, and Juliana found him in boisterous good spirits when she brought the girls to the drawing room later. He teased Wilhelmina about her freckles and then drew Gwendoline to one side, whispering to her to make her giggle. Juliana was aware of Lady Varley’s frowning looks and knew she would be expected to act. She waited until she was sure the Major was engrossed in conversation with his sister, then walked over to the youngsters. Giles rose as she approached.

‘Gwendoline, you know how impolite it is to be whispering thus. If it is such a good joke, then let us all share it.’ She spoke quietly, but her words made the girl scowl.

‘It is no crime to talk to my brother!’

‘No, indeed.’ Juliana’s smile embraced them both. ‘But when you are in company, you are insulting those around you by such secretive behaviour. Master Giles must know that, even if you are not quite old enough to appreciate it.’

Her mild rebuke hit its target. Gwendoline flushed and her brother muttered an apology.

The entrance of the tea tray caused a distraction. Lady Varley called Gwendoline over to help her prepare the tea. Juliana watched her go and turned back to Giles.

‘If your sister resents me, I am sorry for it,’ she said gently. ‘However, your father hired me as her governess and I am obliged to correct her when it is necessary. It will help me greatly if you do not encourage her to flout my authority.’

‘I—I don’t, I wouldn’t!’

She smiled at him. ‘Then I am relieved, and very grateful to you.’

Flushing, Giles bowed, muttered his excuses, and lounged away. With a sigh, she went back to sit beside Wilhelmina.

‘So, Gwendoline, what have you been doing today?’ Lady Varley posed the question while she prepared the tea. ‘What have you learned with Miss Wrenn?’

‘In truth, Aunt, nothing.’ Gwendoline put her chin in the air and cast a defiant look at Juliana.

The room was suddenly very still. Wilhelmina wriggled uncomfortably on her chair. The Major had been talking to Giles on the far side of the room, but now he looked up.

‘What do you mean by that, Gwen?’

‘That Miss Wrenn is a fraud, Papa,’ declared Gwendoline with awful clarity. ‘This morning we did nothing but shop—a frivolous exercise—and this afternoon…’

‘This afternoon we studied England,’ said Juliana calmly. ‘With the use of maps Mr Brasher looked out for us, we plotted our journey, once we had calculated how far we might travel in one day. That, of course, meant we had to decide how fast the carriage could go. What did we decide was our likely speed, Wilhelmina?’

‘Eight miles in an hour.’

‘Yes, very good. Then we had to work out the distance between towns.’

‘And stops for changing horses,’ put in Wilhelmina, glad to be able to contribute again. ‘Thomas thought of that!’

‘Yes, he did.’ Juliana nodded at her. ‘So you see how we practised our powers of calculation and arithmetic. Then, of course, we looked up in the guidebook the towns we are likely to pass through. Barnet, of course, where we shall look out for the Barnet Pillar, put up to mark the famous battle.’

‘That was where Edward IV beat Henry VI to become king,’ said Wilhelmina.

‘Yes, in 1471. And St Albans—what can you remember of St Albans, Wilhelmina?’

The little girl wrinkled her nose. ‘There was a battle when Queen Margaret brought her army and rescued King Henry, but he could not have been a very good king, because Edward beat him at the Battle of Barnet.’

‘Yes, and where else might we be travelling?’

‘Derby,’ said Wilhelmina, swinging her legs. ‘Where the rebels turned back in the ’Forty-five and they were followed back into Scotland, where the King’s brother followed them and killed them all!’

The Major raised his brows. ‘A very bloodthirsty summary.’

Juliana chuckled. ‘More interesting than mere dates and places, Major.’

‘Undoubtedly. And from there, Minna?’

‘Macclesfield,’ cried the little girl. ‘Where there are mills that weave fine silks for Aunt Louisa’s shawls!’

Major Collingham laughed and patted her head. ‘Very good.’ He looked hard at Juliana. ‘Perhaps Gwendoline was not paying attention today.’

‘No, Major, I cannot blame her—for she was sewing a fine lawn handkerchief for Lady Varley as I talked. After all, it was never intended to be a serious lesson.’

Wilhelmina tugged at her father’s sleeve. ‘When we were out this morning, Miss Wrenn gave us a whole sixpence each to spend, as long as we could reckon up the pennies we had in change. And I did, Papa.’

He lifted her into his arms. ‘How clever of you. Now, ten more minutes while we drink a dish of tea, then bed for you, children.’ He set her on her feet and smiled over her head at Juliana. ‘Congratulations, Miss Wrenn. You make the journey sound exciting, even to me. I have no doubt Gwendoline will take more interest in future.’

‘I have always maintained that girls should be taught to know their way about,’ declared Lady Varley, pouring tea into the delicate porcelain cups. ‘Gwendoline, my dear, please take this cup to your father. Thank you. Yes, girls need to be able to read and write, and to reckon a column of figures, but beyond that there is little value in book learning for them.’

‘But, ma’am, how are they to stand their ground with their brothers, or their husbands, without a matching education?’ objected Juliana.

Lady Varley shook her head. ‘A man doesn’t want a clever wife, Miss Wrenn. He wants a dutiful one. Gwendoline, this cup to Miss Wrenn, if you please.’

‘An educated woman may still be dutiful,’ put in the Major.

‘Unless her husband is particularly dull-witted,’ murmured Juliana.

Major Collingham laughed.

‘A clever woman will learn to have her own way,’ replied Lady Varley, ‘but she does not need an education for that.’

Juliana looked up. The Major was watching her, and she found herself responding to the smile in his eyes. Gwendoline approached with a cup of tea, but as she reached out for it, the girl stumbled and the contents of the cup were thrown over Juliana’s best grey gown.

There was an immediate commotion. The Major berated Gwendoline on her clumsiness and she burst into tears. Giles came forward to defend his sister, while Lady Varley bewailed the broken cup.

Juliana stooped to collect up the pieces.

‘Pray, Major, do not scold her. I am sure it was an accident. Master Giles, ring the bell and fetch a servant to clear up this mess, if you please.’ She rose, looking down at her wet gown and trying to hide her dismay. ‘Let me take the children upstairs, sir. It is their bedtime.’

He was still looking thunderous.

‘Very well. Leave them with Nurse and give your dress to Mrs Hartley. She will know what to do to clean it. You will then put on a fresh gown and come back here.’

Lady Varley stared at him. ‘Damon!’

‘Really, sir,’ stammered Juliana, ‘I should retire—’

‘You will come back, Miss Wrenn.’

His tone was implacable and she knew it was useless to argue. Closing her lips firmly, she nodded, took Wilhelmina by the hand and led the two girls out of the room.

Her silence as they went up to the schoolroom seemed to unnerve Gwendoline. She said, ‘It was an accident, you know.’

‘If you say so.’

‘Will the stain come out?’

What do you care? thought Juliana, and immediately scolded herself for being as childish as her charges. She said, ‘I hope so. I do not have the luxury of another silk gown.’

‘We could buy you one in Macclesfield,’ suggested Wilhelmina.

Juliana squeezed her hand and forced a smile. ‘Yes, we could. In the meantime, let us hope the housekeeper is as good as your papa says.’

She handed the children over to Nurse and went off to change into her only other evening gown, a cream robe with long sleeves caught up with lime-green ribbons. It was the last gown her father had bought for her, and she had been saving it for a special occasion. It occurred to her that there would not now be any special occasions, for a while at least. She threw a black silk shawl about her shoulders and looked at herself in the mirror.

‘Far too bright for mourning.’ She sighed. ‘However, he insists I return, so it will have to do.’

Pausing only to say goodnight to Amy and Thomas, who were already in their beds, she ran lightly down the stairs and back to the drawing room. There was a martial light in her eyes as she walked in, but the Major merely nodded at her and Lady Varley addressed her with unusual graciousness. ‘I have made more tea so that you may join us, Miss Wrenn. I was mortified at my niece’s clumsiness.’

‘No matter, ma’am. Mrs Hartley has taken the gown to clean it.’

‘You shall have a new one, I will buy it for you,’ announced the Major abruptly.

Lady Varley cast a sympathetic look at Juliana as she handed her a cup.

‘It is so simple for my brother, Miss Wrenn. He says he will buy you a new gown, as if there were any number made up, just waiting for you to choose one. You forget, Damon, that you leave town on Friday. Why, even Madame Fleurie could not turn out a decent gown in such a short time. Although I have been most surprised at her endeavours on my behalf this week—she called here today for a fitting and I had only chosen the muslin yesterday! And that reminds me, dear brother. I must crave your indulgence and ask you to let me stay on here for a few more days after you leave for the north, because my gowns are not complete, and although I have had word from Sir James, begging me to return as soon as ever I can, I really must stay in town until all my gowns are ready.’

‘Yes, yes, Louisa, but you are straying from the point. Surely you know where to buy a new gown for Miss Wrenn that she can take with her?’

‘Sir, I pray you, it is no matter,’ put in Juliana, distressed by so much attention. ‘I am sure there will be no lasting damage; besides, I will not be requiring such a gown again for some months.’

‘Well, you may leave one of your old dresses with me, Miss Wrenn,’ pronounced Lady Varley. ‘I will have my modiste make up another to fit and it shall be sent on after you. Not another word, Miss Wrenn, my mind is made up. Now, let us talk of something else—Damon, did you go to White’s today? I hear Meyler was there, telling everyone that Mr Brummell is quite done up.’

The Major frowned. ‘Aye, I saw him.’

‘I have never liked Meyler. Bad ton, I always thought.’ She refilled her brother’s teacup. ‘How has Mr Brummell taken it?’

‘I have no idea. He was not there.’

‘But this is not good enough, brother. I made sure you would know.’

The Major shook his head. ‘I admire Brummell’s style of dress, Louisa, not his way of living.’

Giles had been sitting quietly in the corner all this time, but now he came forward. ‘I thought you were one of his friends, Papa.’

‘Sufficiently so that I would not listen to Meyler’s accusations. However, it is for the Beau to refute them.’

‘And will he do so, do you think?’ asked Lady Varley.

‘With Brummell one never knows. He has come about in the past: we shall see what he does over the next few days.’

However, Thursday morning brought even more exciting news for Lady Varley. Juliana had already joined the Major and his daughters in the breakfast room when she came in, saying as she took her place at the table, ‘Damon, you will never guess! I have had word that Lady Maltby is in town. I must call upon her this morning.’

‘Must you, Louisa?’ asked the Major, helping himself to a cup of coffee.

Lady Varley gave a little sigh. ‘Of course I must. She is James’s cousin, you know, and I would not want to be thought backward in paying her any attention.’

‘Especially since she is a viscountess,’ he murmured.

‘And what if she is?’ retorted Lady Varley. ‘Family connections are important. I shall take Gwendoline and Wilhelmina with me, if Miss Wrenn will give them leave—Lady Maltby was very taken with the girls when she came to stay with us last year.’ ‘Ooh, yes, please. May we go, Miss Wrenn?’ asked Wilhelmina.

Gwendoline said nothing, but Juliana saw her hopeful glance.

‘Of course,’ she said, ‘if Major Collingham agrees.’

He shrugged. ‘If that is what you wish, Louisa…’

‘Damon, how can you be so tiresome! A connection with the viscountess could be very useful for the girls when it comes to finding them husbands.’

Major Collingham gave a bark of laughter. ‘Good God, I trust I have several years before I need to address that issue!’

‘One should always be prepared,’ replied his sister. ‘Now, come along, girls, finish your breakfast, for we must make you ready. Miss Wrenn, I do hope I am not interfering with your plans?’

‘Not at all. I have to collect some last-minute purchases, which I can do this morning while you are out.’

‘I will send one of the maids with you—’

‘Oh, there will be no need for that, Major,’ Juliana interrupted him quickly. ‘I shall have Thomas and Amy with me—there is no need for any other companion.’

The Major would not countenance Miss Wrenn and her family taking a hackney carriage and, as Lady Varley would be using the landau, he ordered his own travelling carriage to be made ready. This was a large, impressive vehicle complete with liveried servants hanging on the back, and Juliana was not surprised to see a group of ragged boys standing on the opposite side of the road, watching with interest as the carriage rolled away.

‘This is the carriage we shall be using for our journey,’ she told Amy and Thomas. ‘Miss Gwendoline and Wilhelmina will be travelling with us, while Nurse and the Major’s man will follow in the baggage coach.’

‘And Major Collingham will be leading the way in his curricle, with Mr Giles beside him,’ added Thomas. ‘We shall create quite a stir when we drive through the town.’

‘And there will be plenty of room for the five of us in here,’ Juliana observed, leaning back with an appreciative sigh against the padded seat.

‘Then we will be able to bring Sarah and Lady Arabella?’ asked Amy, holding her doll on her lap.

Juliana smiled at her. ‘Yes. They shall have a seat to themselves.’

Due to the press of traffic in New Bond Street, Juliana had decided it would be quicker to walk between the shops and she ordered the coachman to pull up and wait for her. The errands were soon accomplished, ending with a visit to Hatchards the booksellers, and with the children beside her she began to retrace her steps. They had not gone far when she saw Major Collingham walking towards them. He stopped, looking a little surprised.

‘Miss Wrenn. I had thought you would be in New Bond Street, buying bonnets and gloves.’

‘I would not bring Tom and Amy along for that, they would find it very tedious work. No, you will see that our parcels are quite small—paper and pens for drawing, and I have purchased more reading books. I ordered them Tuesday and they promised to have them ready for me today. We are on our way back to the carriage now.’

‘I, too, have concluded my business, so I will walk with you, if I may?’

He turned to accompany her. Juliana took his proffered arm, glancing back to make sure the two children were close behind.

‘And have you ordered another gown, Miss Wrenn, as I instructed?’

‘No. Mrs Hartley has worked miracles with my grey silk and it will be ready to take with me tomorrow.’ She saw he was looking severe and added, ‘Lady Varley has already wrested an old gown from me, and will use it as a pattern for the new one that is being made up for me. She has promised to send it on as soon as it is ready.’

‘Quite right. I am very sorry for what happened last night.’

‘It was an accident.’

‘We both know it was nothing of the kind,’ he retorted. ‘Gwendoline does not want you to come with us. I shall talk to her today, and make sure she understands I will not tolerate her disobedience.’

She stopped. ‘Oh, pray do not be harsh on her, sir. It—it might make her resent me even more.’

Major Collingham turned to look at her. ‘Then what would you have me say, Miss Wrenn?’

Juliana hesitated. She said slowly, ‘I think we should agree that if Gwendoline is of the same mind when we reach Lancashire, we will terminate the contract. She will learn little from me if we are constantly at loggerheads.’

‘Rousseau’s teachings, Miss Wrenn?’

‘Common sense, Major. I will do my best to make her like me, but you know that we cannot always order our affections.’

‘And you would have me tell her that she may decide once we get to Blackthorpe?’

‘Why, yes. I would like Gwendoline to know that I have no wish to inflict myself upon her against her will.’

‘But to leave then—you would be miles from your home, Miss Wrenn.’

‘I have no home now, sir,’ she said quietly. ‘There are no relatives to make it desirable for me to remain here. I can as easily find employment in the big towns of the north, and—’

A scream and commotion behind them made her break off. Turning, Juliana saw that Tom and Amy had fallen some way behind, and Thomas was fighting with two larger boys while Amy stood behind him, screaming for help. Passersby hesitated, but the Major was there before any of them could act. Grabbing Thomas’s assailants by their ragged collars he pulled them away and banged their heads together. The two boys staggered back and, as the Major turned his attention to Thomas, they tore themselves free and took to their heels.