The Governess of Highland Hall: A Novel Read online

  “This is our new governess, Miss …” Andrew looked up at Julia.

  Julia smiled and gave her name. “I’m happy to meet you, Miss Ramsey.”

  “Oh, please, call me Sarah.”

  Julia nodded. “As you wish.”

  The sound of conversation in the great hall on the floor below drew Julia’s attention and she glanced over the banister.

  “We had better go down,” Sarah said. “My brother likes everyone present at nine o’clock.”

  Andrew tugged Julia toward the stairs.

  She held him back. “When a gentleman walks with a lady, he keeps her pace in mind, especially indoors.” She spoke to him in a low, gentle tone so no one else could hear.

  He nodded and walked slowly, looking like a perfect little gentleman.

  Sir William stood by the large marble fireplace in the great hall, watching them descend the stairs, his expression unreadable.

  At the bottom, Julia hesitated. Should she stand with the servants, who waited on one side of the hall opposite Sir William, or should she join him?

  Sarah leaned closer. “Your place is with the children.”

  Julia nodded her thanks and followed Sarah, Millicent, and Andrew toward the fireplace. Sarah walked with a slight limp, and Julia wondered if she had suffered an injury.

  Across the hall the servants lined up in what appeared to be the order of their rank. At the head of the line stood Mr. Lawrence, the butler, then Mrs. Emmitt, the housekeeper. Next to her stood the French chef she’d seen working in the kitchen, wearing a white chef’s coat and dark trousers, then two tall footmen dressed in formal livery. Next came five maids, including Lydia, the young woman she’d met when she first arrived at Highland for her interview. Lydia sent Julia a slight nod and smile. Three young kitchen maids, who looked like they were no older than fourteen or fifteen, came next. The gardener, who had directed her to the back door yesterday, and his two young assistants held their caps in their hands as they waited at the end of the line.

  It was a large staff, and she imagined there were many others who worked for Sir William outdoors, managing his horses, cows, sheep, orchards, and crops. That was quite a responsibility to oversee so many people and such a large estate.

  She glanced at Sir William, noting the lines of strain around his eyes and the stiffness of his posture. Once again she pondered how wealth and possessions didn’t guarantee a carefree life. She must pray for him and do all she could to ease his concern for his children.

  William pulled his watch from his vest pocket and scowled when he saw the time. He did not intend to wait all morning for his two young cousins to appear. On the opposite side of the great hall his butler, Lawrence, met his gaze. He glanced toward the staircase with a question in his eyes.

  William blew out a breath and tried to restrain his growing irritation. “Mrs. Emmitt, do you know why Miss Katherine and Miss Penelope have not come down?”

  “No sir. I’m sorry. I do not. I’ve been a bit preoccupied this morning.” She narrowed her gaze at the new governess who stood beside William with his children and his sister. The housekeeper turned to one of the maids. “Lydia, did you wake the young ladies this morning?”

  She bobbed a quick curtsy. “Yes ma’am. Miss Katherine sent this note.”

  A ripple of surprise crossed the servants’ faces as the maid took the note from her apron pocket and passed it to Mrs. Emmitt. Lawrence cleared his throat and flashed a warning glance down the row. The servants all lowered their gazes to the floor.

  Mrs. Emmitt snatched the note from Lydia’s hand. “Next time you will give me any messages immediately.”

  “Yes ma’am.” The maid’s lower lip quivered, and she dropped her gaze.

  Mrs. Emmitt walked across and handed the note to William. “I’m sorry, sir.” She softened her tone. “Lydia is new and just getting used to the way we do things at Highland.”

  “I’m sure she meant no harm.” He took the note and unfolded it.

  Dear Cousin William,

  We are not feeling well. Please excuse us for not coming down this morning.

  Your cousins, Katherine and Penelope

  Heat surged into his chest. “Not well,” my eye! They’ll be perfectly fine by the time they want to go riding or call on a friend this afternoon. He stuffed the note in his pocket. This would not do. Morning Scripture reading and prayer were not optional. Everyone needed to fall in line, even his young cousins.

  He looked up and straightened his shoulders. “Very well, let’s begin. This morning, before I read our passage of Scripture, I would like to introduce our new governess, Miss Julia Foster.” He nodded toward her.

  Her soft blue eyes lit up, and a slight smile tucked in the corners of her mouth.

  An unsettling awareness traveled through him. He shook it off and shifted his gaze away. “She is originally from Fulton but has recently returned from India, where she and her family were engaged in mission work. She will be overseeing the education of the children and the young ladies.”

  Andrew squirmed on his left, and William placed a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder. Andrew stilled and looked up. William squeezed his son’s shoulder, hoping to press in the point. “I expect you all to cooperate with her and give her the respect due her position.”

  Nelson, the first footman, looked Miss Foster over with a slight smile and an unmistakable gleam in his eye.

  William frowned and made a mental note to speak to Lawrence about it. Relationships between the staff were discouraged, and he would not put up with any of the men bothering Miss Foster.

  He cleared his throat and opened his Bible. “This morning our passage comes from Galatians, chapter five, verses thirteen and fourteen. ‘For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ ”

  He closed the Bible and waited a moment, hoping the words would sink into his servants’ minds. “Let us pray. O gracious heavenly Father, help us guard our hearts and minds from sinful thoughts and actions, and remind us of our responsibilities to diligently serve others and love our neighbor.” Someone snickered, and he looked up.

  Nelson grinned at one of the young kitchen maids, and she returned a shy smile.

  William narrowed his gaze at them. They immediately sobered and looked down. He paused a second more, then added, “We ask You to watch over our household, keep us safe from harm, and lead us in the way everlasting. Amen.”

  Lawrence nodded to the row of servants, dismissing them.

  William tucked the Bible under his arm. “Miss Foster, will you wait a moment, please?”

  She looked up. “Yes sir.”

  “Mrs. Emmitt,” William called.

  The housekeeper stopped at the foot of the stairs. “Yes sir?”

  “Would you please look in on my cousins? Apparently, they aren’t feeling well, and I’d like to know if I should send for the doctor.”

  Mrs. Emmitt nodded. “Of course, sir. I’ll see to it right away.”

  “And would you also inform them Miss Foster has arrived and arrange a time for them to meet with her … before they go riding or engage in any other activities.”

  “Yes sir.” Mrs. Emmitt climbed the stairs, followed by Andrew, Millicent, and Ann, the nursery maid.

  He nodded to the governess. “Miss Foster, I’d like to introduce my sister, Miss Sarah Ramsey.”

  “Miss Foster and I met on our way down this morning.” Sarah turned to the governess with a warm smile. “We’re very grateful you’ve come to Highland. We hope you’ll be happy here.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting to know the children and the young ladies.”

  At the mention of their cousins, Sarah’s smile faded. “I believe they will benefit greatly from the guidance of a governess.”

  “I hope I can encourage their love for learning and help them devel
op their character and gifts.”

  “Yes.” Sarah smiled at William and tucked her arm through his. “That’s exactly what they need, isn’t it?”

  William nodded. “Character development is key for anyone’s education.”

  Miss Foster looked up at him, and he couldn’t help noticing her soft blue eyes and the sweet openness of her expression. “Will there be anything else?” she asked.

  A warning flashed through him, and he broke his gaze. “No. That will be all.”

  THREE

  Mrs. Emmitt strode down the first-floor hall, her mind spinning with all that needed to be done that morning. They were expecting a delivery from the grocer, and he would need to be paid. The gardener must be told to bring in fresh flowers for the dining room, and she had to speak to Lydia about her having held on to that note. But first she must check on Katherine and Penelope. She doubted the girls were truly ill. This was probably another example of Katherine’s silent rebellion.

  Ever since Sir William, Miss Ramsey, and the young children had arrived at Highland, Katherine had stubbornly resisted Sir William’s authority, and Penelope simply followed her sister into whatever mischief she created.

  She knocked on the elder sister’s door, then pushed it open without waiting for an invitation. The curtains were closed, but a faint light filtered through a slight gap in the middle. “Miss Katherine?”

  The girl rolled over on her bed and squinted up at her. “What … what do you want?”

  “Your note said you were ill. Sir William is concerned and asked me to look in on you.”

  Katherine tossed the blankets aside. “Why would he do that? I doubt he truly cares.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and slowly sat up.

  “Shall we send for the doctor?”

  “Of course not. I’m perfectly fine … I’m just extremely tired of my stuffy cousin ordering me out of bed at an ungodly hour.”

  The housekeeper held back her frown. “I’m sorry, miss, but Sir William believes the family and staff should be present for Scripture reading and prayer.”

  “Well, I won’t be ordered around like some feeble-minded servant.”

  Mrs. Emmitt stifled a gasp. Ungrateful girl! How could she say such things? She had always been fond of Katherine, but her behavior these last few months was stretching that fondness to the limit.

  Katherine’s haughty expression faltered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” She walked to the dressing table and picked up her hairbrush. “It’s just not right for him to come here and change everything. He’s not my father, and he shouldn’t try to take on that role.”

  “I don’t believe that is Sir William’s intention.” Katherine’s father, Sir Randolph, had been a kind man and always fair to his staff, though they all knew he gave too much time and attention to shooting and fishing and not enough to managing Highland or his family.

  “It’s bad enough that Cousin William has inherited our estate, does he have to treat me as if I have no brain and no say in my own life? I’m almost eighteen. I should be able to decide when I rise and how I spend my day.”

  Mrs. Emmitt crossed to the windows and opened the curtains. Light flooded the room. “Sir William believes it’s his responsibility to watch over you.”

  “Well, I don’t agree.” She pulled a brush through her long honey-blond hair, frowning at her reflection. “He’s a gloomy, overbearing man, and I have no intention of letting him run my life.”

  It was time to put a stop to this. Mrs. Emmitt straightened her shoulders. “Sir William asked me to tell you that Miss Foster, your new governess, has arrived.”

  The brush stilled, and Katherine’s eyes widened. “My new … what?”

  “Your governess. Surely, Sir William told you he’s been looking to fill that position.”

  “Yes, but I had no idea that he’d found someone.”

  Mrs. Emmitt nodded. “Miss Foster came for an interview yesterday and started this morning. You and your sister are to meet with her before you go riding or engage in any other activity.”

  Katherine glared into the mirror. “I won’t have it! Penny and I are not children. We don’t need some grim-faced old spinster hovering over us and filling our days with boring lessons and tedious conversations.”

  “Miss Foster is not—”

  “I don’t want to hear any more.” Katherine tossed the hairbrush aside. “Send Lydia up. I want to dress, and as soon as I do, I’m going to speak to my cousin.”

  “Yes, miss.” Mrs. Emmitt turned to go, though she wished she could stay and box the girl’s ears. Katherine needed to accept Sir William’s authority and the new governess. Her stubbornness and rebellion wouldn’t change any of it.

  When Mrs. Emmitt reached the door, she looked over her shoulder. “I know this has been a difficult time for you, but I believe Sir William has your best interests at heart. Perhaps you should—”

  Katherine’s blue eyes flashed. “I won’t be bullied by him just because he is master of this house!”

  William glared at the headline on the front page of the Times: “Parliament Debates Raising Death Duties.” A burning sensation rose in his throat. How could they even consider it? What would happen to the empire if all the great estates were taxed into ruin? He supposed his assessment would be even higher now. Would he be able to pay it, or would he be forced to sell Highland and return to London?

  The library door swung open, and Katherine marched in, followed by her younger sister, Penelope. Both girls were dressed in riding clothes. “Cousin William, we must speak with you.” Katherine’s heightened color and tone warned him he was in for a confrontation.

  “Please, come in.” He rose and motioned for them to take a seat.

  Penny started to sit, but Katherine jerked her sister’s arm to keep her standing. “There’s no need for us to be seated. This will only take a moment.” Katherine raised her chin. “Mrs. Emmitt informed us that you’ve hired a governess, and you expect us to be under her supervision.”

  He nodded. “That is correct.”

  “I can understand why you would want a governess for your children. They’re at an age when they need someone to watch over them and give them daily lessons, but Penny is nearly sixteen, and my eighteenth birthday is only a few weeks away. Surely you don’t think we still need a governess.”

  That was exactly what he thought, but it was obvious he needed to offer his opinion carefully. “I believe Miss Foster can be a great help to you and your sister.” He glanced at the younger girl. Fifteen-year-old Penelope was several inches shorter than Katherine, with a round face, reddish brown hair, and blue-gray eyes. She shifted from one foot to the other and watched her older sister with an uneasy expression.

  Katherine’s eyebrows rose. “Who is this Miss Foster? I’ve never heard of her.”

  “She’s a very capable young woman who has traveled extensively. I believe she is eminently qualified since she’s been a missionary teacher in India for nine years.”

  “A missionary?” Katherine rolled her eyes. “Really?”

  Heat surged through William. “Yes, a little piety and spiritual instruction might benefit you both.”

  Katherine huffed. “Our spirits are perfectly fine, no thanks to you.”

  “That’s enough!”

  Katherine pulled back, then straightened her shoulders. “Father may have appointed you to be our guardian, but we don’t intend to bow and scrape before you simply because you’ve inherited our home.”

  Fire flashed through William. “Now listen to me, young lady. While you are living in this household, I will decide what is best for you, including whether or not you will have a governess. And that decision has been made. You will be under Miss Foster’s supervision twenty-four hours a day until you marry or leave this house to live with another relative. Do you understand?”

  Katherine’s face flamed bright pink and her nostrils flared.

  Penelope reached for her sister’s arm. “Kate, please, l
et’s not argue about this. Perhaps we should meet her. I’m sure we can come to some sort of agreement.”

  Katherine pulled away, tugged the hem of her jacket back in place, and glared at William. “You may have authority over me now, but you won’t for long. I’m going to London in the spring for the season, and I expect to make a good match and marry within the year.”

  William raised his eyebrows. “Oh really?” He didn’t envy the man she would wed. She might be clever and pretty, but she was also willful and stubborn, and she reminded him very much of his late wife, Amelia.

  “Our family is well respected,” Katherine continued. “I shouldn’t have any trouble receiving a proposal.”

  William crossed his arms. “And who will be paying for your time in London?”

  Katherine’s haughty expression faltered. “Father left you his entire estate. Surely that obligates you to pay for our expenses.”

  “The financial situation your father has left me in is precarious at best. There are stacks of bills and lists of repairs that need to be made.” Both girls’ faces registered surprise, and he felt a twinge of guilt for sharing the news in this way—but it was the truth. “Even if the funds become available, I have no desire to spend that much time in London. Who will escort you?”

  A hint of panic flashed in Katherine’s eyes.

  “I will escort Katherine to London for the season.” Lady Louisa Gatewood walked into the library, looking regal in a royal blue dress and large hat decked with several ostrich feathers. She crossed the library toward the girls.

  “Oh, Aunt Louisa.” Penelope hurried to meet her mother’s sister. She clasped her hand and kissed her cheek.

  Katherine nodded to her aunt, then turned a smug gaze back on William.

  William gave the woman a brief nod. “Lady Gatewood, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

  She looked down her nose at him. “I wish I could say the same.”

  He clamped his mouth closed, though he would’ve loved to tell her exactly how he felt about her unexpected visits, but he was too much of a gentleman. The fact that she had lived at Highland for several years after her first husband’s death seemed to make her think she could walk in unannounced at any time. He was thankful she had remarried and now had her own home a few miles away.