The Governess of Highland Hall (17 page)

Mrs. Emmitt stepped out of her parlor. Surprise filled her eyes. “Miss Foster, where are you going?”

Julia’s stomach tensed. “I’m just going into the village.”

“At this time of the day? Shouldn’t you be with the young ladies?”

“I have a brief errand for Miss Ramsey. I’ll take the governess cart and be back within the hour.”

“An errand? What kind of errand? Surely she could send one of the footmen.”

“No, she asked me to go. It’s a private matter.”

Mrs. Emmitt pursed her lips. “Very well. But hurry back. It makes no sense to send you to the village when you should be teaching the young ladies.”

Julia didn’t want to argue, so she didn’t answer.

“Well, go on then. You’re only wasting time standing here.”

Julia nodded to her and hurried off. In matters of the heart there was no time to waste.

Mrs. Emmitt watched Miss Foster leave through the doorway at the end of the lower hall and smiled. This was perfect. With the governess out of the house, she could speak to Sir William without interruption. She hurried upstairs and crossed the great hall. With any luck she could get rid of the thorn in her side and take back her rightful place.

Mr. Lawrence stood at the bottom of the oak staircase conversing with
Nelson the footman. He looked up and met her gaze. “Mrs. Emmitt? Is everything all right?”

“I need to speak to Sir William. Is he in the library?”

“He is. But is there something I can help you with?”

She glanced at Nelson and then Mr. Lawrence. “No, thank you. There’s something I want to discuss with Sir William.”

Mr. Lawrence frowned, obviously perturbed she would not explain herself. But it was not possible with Nelson standing by.

“Very well.” He entered the library and announced her, then ushered her in.

Sir William sat at his desk with a book in his hand. He turned as she entered. “Mrs. Emmitt, what can I do for you?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, sir, but I must speak to you about Miss Foster.”

He shifted in his chair, and a slight line creased his forehead. “Is there a problem?”

“Yes, I’m afraid there are quite a few. And with her trial coming to an end soon, I thought you ought to know.”

He studied her, his eyes clouding slightly. “I’m surprised to hear it. I had the impression she was doing very well.”

A tremor passed through Mrs. Emmitt. She had better tread carefully, or she might end up on the wrong side of the issue. “Well, I don’t like to bring you a bad report, but I’m afraid Miss Foster is not getting along well with the young ladies.”

“I realize my cousins are not happy about having a governess, but I hoped they would become accustomed to it in time.”

Mrs. Emmitt shook her head. “There is contention between Miss Foster and the young ladies every day, and she’s become quite forceful in her dealings with them. I’m not comfortable with it, not at all.”

His frown deepened. “Forceful? What do you mean?”

“She’s very strict, and her expectations for their lessons and behavior are impossibly high. If they question her, she becomes angry and tries to control them with harsh words or mockery.”

Sir William rose from his chair. “I find that hard to believe. My sister spends a great deal of time with them, and she’s never mentioned any of this.”

“Miss Foster would never show her true colors in front of Miss Ramsey.”

“So you’re saying this is going on behind closed doors?”

Mrs. Emmitt swallowed and nodded. Katherine had promised to back up the story, but what if she changed her mind? Mrs. Emmitt wanted to be rid of the governess, but she didn’t want to lose her position over it. “The young ladies have no respect for her, none at all.”

“And you believe Miss Foster is at fault, not the girls?”

“It’s not a question of fault, sir. I’m afraid Miss Foster is simply too young and inexperienced to handle the position. Her temperament and disposition are not what they seem. I don’t believe she is able to give the young ladies the education and guidance they need.”

“I don’t understand. You were the one who brought her to me. You gave me the impression she was well qualified and had good references.”

She gave a curt nod. “Yes sir, I did. And I’m sorry for it now. I should’ve looked into her background more carefully before I brought her to you.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and paced to the window.

Moisture gathered on her forehead as she waited. Had she convinced him? Perhaps she should try a different route. “Sir, I’ve worked here many years, and I’m very fond of the young ladies. They’ve been through a very hard time these past few months. I don’t like to see them unhappy.”

“None of us want that,” he said, still facing the windows, his voice as cool and chilly as the weather outdoors.

“Their father entrusted them into your care. You must do what’s best for them.”

He turned toward her, his expression steely. “I understand my responsibilities toward my cousins, Mrs. Emmitt. I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you, sir.” She nodded to him and walked out of the library. Now she must let Katherine know the plan had been put in motion. If everything went as she hoped, Miss Foster would be gone soon and things could finally get back to normal.

William paced the length of his library and back, brooding over his conversation with Mrs. Emmitt. A dull ache began to pound at the base of his skull. Could it be true? Was Miss Foster harsh with the girls, bullying them when no one was there to see it? She was spirited and spoke her mind, but could she really be that devious?

No. It didn’t make sense. This was probably just a case of Katherine and Penelope’s trying to discredit Miss Foster by complaining to Mrs. Emmitt. They hoped he would dismiss her, and they could be out from under her supervision. No doubt the housekeeper felt loyalty to the girls, and that was why she brought their complaints to him.

But what if it were true?

He stopped by the fireplace and stared into the flames. He had been fooled before by a woman, and the results had been disastrous. His wife’s duplicity flooded his mind, and his chest tightened. Amelia had always been a perfect lady in public, but at home, in private, her true character had driven a stake through his heart.

Surely, Miss Foster was not cruel and deceitful like Amelia, was she?

Doubts swirled through him. It wasn’t just Katherine and Penelope who needed his protection. He had placed his children under Miss Foster’s care. He must not be fooled again. The price was too high.

He would have to confront Miss Foster and find out if there was any truth behind these complaints. If so, he would put things right for his children’s sake as well as his cousins’.

William strode out of the library and mounted the steps. As he passed down the hallway, voices in the nursery drew his attention. He stopped by the door and leaned closer to listen. Perhaps he had come at the right time to learn what truly went on in the nursery between Miss Foster and his children.

“This is how Robin Hood took his stand against the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham!” His son’s voice rang out from beyond the nursery door.

“Andrew, come down this minute!”

William frowned. That was not Miss Foster’s voice.

“Off with you, you wretched scoundrel!” his son shouted.

“Andrew, stop! You’re frightening your sister.”

“No! You’ll never capture me alive!”

“Please be a good lad and climb down before you break something or hurt yourself.”

Enough!
William pushed open the door and glared at the nursery maid. “What is going on in here?”

Andrew froze where he stood on the window seat, a toy sword raised high. “Papa!”

The young nursery maid’s face turned as pale as her white cap. “Sir.” She bobbed a quick curtsy, reached for Andrew’s hand, and tugged him down off the window seat. Millicent stood by her dollhouse in the corner, watching them with wide blue-green eyes, her doll clutched to her chest.

“Where is Miss Foster?”

“I believe she’s gone to the village on an errand.” The maid’s voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

He huffed. “And this is what happens when she is away?”

“I’m sorry, sir. Master Andrew was just acting out a story Miss Foster read to the children this morning.”

Andrew dashed over to the table and lifted a book for him to see. “It’s the
Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
. Have you read it, Papa?”

“No. I have not.” William scanned the room, trying to discern if this was an actual problem or just a bit of childish behavior on his son’s part. A few toys were scattered on the table, but everything else looked in good order. He turned to the maid. “When will Miss Foster return?”

“Within the hour, sir.” The maid placed a hand on Millicent’s shoulder.

“All right.” He relaxed his posture and shifted his gaze to Andrew. Perhaps Miss Foster’s absence was for the best. “Collect your coat and hat, Andrew. We’re going for a walk.”

A smile burst on his son’s face. “Really? I’ve been longing to go outdoors, but Ann doesn’t like to take us without Miss Foster.”

“Help Andrew dress for our walk,” William said to the maid. “Then send him downstairs to meet me. And please tell Miss Foster she is to see me as soon as she returns from the village.”

“Yes sir.” The maid bobbed another quick curtsy, relief evident in her expression.

Five minutes later his son came bounding down the stairs, wearing a wool cap and coat and sturdy leather boots. Nelson opened the front door for them, and William and Andrew set off across the park, following the gravel path.

“So, Andrew, do you often disobey your nurse and climb on the furniture?”

“No sir. I try not to.”

“But you did today.”

“Yes sir.” He scuffed his boots in the gravel. “I was so tired of being in the nursery. We usually go for a walk after luncheon, but it’s been raining for three days, and Miss Foster said we couldn’t go out. And then today we had to stay in again because she had to go to the village and do something for Aunt Sarah.”

“Her errand is for your aunt?”

Andrew nodded and hopped over a puddle. “I’m so glad you came. I hate staying inside all day.”

A smile tugged at William’s lips. He couldn’t help it. He’d been much like Andrew when he was a boy. Though he’d learned to discipline himself and attend to his duties, there was nothing he loved more than tramping through the woods or hiking across the fields. Even these cool autumn days didn’t keep him indoors if he could help it.

“So, do you like Miss Foster?”

Andrew wrinkled his nose. “She’s all right.”

William thought for a moment, wanting to phrase his question carefully. “How does she handle things when you disobey?”

“She doesn’t smack me the way Mrs. Lambert did.”

William stopped. “Mrs. Lambert smacked you?”

Andrew squinted up at him. “Yes sir. She said it would drive the foolishness
from my heart.” His son looked down, kicked at a stone, and sent if flying. “But I’m not sure that’s true.”

“So, what does Miss Foster do when there is a need for discipline?”

“She usually has me sit in the blue chair.”

“The blue chair?”

“Yes, the one in the alcove in the upstairs sitting room.”

“How long does she make you stay there?”

“She says I may come back when my heart has changed and I’m ready to talk to her about what happened.”

“So it’s up to you how long you sit in the chair?”

“Yes sir.” He bent and picked up a stick at the side of the path.

That didn’t sound like very severe discipline. His own nanny had been a gentle, indulgent woman, but his tutor, Mr. Burton, had often used a wooden ruler to slap his hands when he’d been slow to answer or disobedient. “Has Miss Foster ever been rough with you or Millicent?”

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Millie never gets in trouble. All Miss Foster has to do is look at her, and she bursts into tears and begs to make things right.”

“So Millicent is never sent to the blue chair?”

Andrew twisted his lips and tapped the ground with the stick. “She had to go there once when she wouldn’t eat her luncheon.”