The Governess of Highland Hall (38 page)

William pulled the car to a stop in front of the first of the three stone cottages, and Andrew jumped out. “I can carry the boxes.” He reached in and took a gift-wrapped box from the rear bench seat.

“I want to carry one.” Millie climbed down and took a second box.

Sarah passed the last box to Andrew with a smile. “Careful now.”

Andrew nodded and slowly adjusted the two boxes so they were balanced.

William smiled, pleased to see Andrew showing some caution.

“I’ll take those.” Alice lifted the boxes from Andrew’s arms. “We wouldn’t want you to drop them and spoil the gifts.”

Andrew looked as if he was about to object, so William squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you, Alice.”

Andrew scowled and trudged off with Sarah and Millie.

A ripple of unease traveled through William. Though Alice continually offered him bright smiles and witty comments, her lack of patience with the children was wearing on them all. But she was young. Perhaps she didn’t have much experience dealing with children.

William put that thought aside and knocked on the front door of the first cottage. A few seconds later, an elderly man, puffing on a pipe, opened the door. He wore a heavy green sweater and tweed pants with a red winter scarf wrapped around his neck.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Morrison. How are you today?” William had met Mr. Alfred Morrison, the former groom, the first week he had arrived at Highland, when Mr. McTavish had taken him on a tour of the estate.

“Very well, thank you, sir.” He smiled, but his gaze hesitated when he noticed Alice. “What brings you all to my door today?”

“We have a gift for you.” Millie stepped forward and offered him the box.

His eyes lit up. “Well, now, isn’t that a nice surprise.”

“We visit all our friends on Boxing Day and give them presents,” Millie added with a delighted smile.

“Boxing Day, you say?” He chuckled and winked at William.

“Yes sir,” Millie said. “It comes every year, the day after Christmas.”

“Well, that’s very kind of you to remember me. Would you like to come in? We could have a cup of tea, and you could sit by the fire and warm yourselves.”

Millie looked up at her father with an eager smile, and Andrew did the same.

Before he could reply, Alice shook her head. “No, thank you. That’s kind, but we don’t have time today.”

The light faded from the old man’s eyes, and he slowly nodded. “Of course, m’lady.”

“Why can’t we go in, Papa?” Impatience filled Andrew’s voice.

Alice’s expression hardened, and she sent Andrew a cool look. “We have several others to visit, and I promised Lady Gatewood I’d be home in time for tea.”

Andrew frowned at Alice, then shifted his irritated gaze to William.

William turned to Mr. Morrison. “We hope you’ll enjoy the gift, and we wish you a happy new year.”

The elderly man nodded again, a touch of sadness in his expression as he closed the door.

Sarah sent William a disappointed glance, as did Millie. But Alice took his arm and smiled up at him. “Thank you, William.” She released a shuddering breath. “I couldn’t imagine drinking tea in that old man’s dreadful little cottage.”

“I’m sure it would’ve been fine.”

“But who knows what it’s like inside. You wouldn’t want to expose me or the children to filth or disease.”

“No, I would not, but I doubt Mr. Morrison’s cottage contains either.”

“Well, I appreciate your deferring to me. I don’t mind giving gifts to the poor, but I’m not comfortable having tea with them.”

William swallowed the firm reply rising in his throat. He would not argue with Alice, especially in front of the children, but he did not appreciate her attitude. As the baronet of Highland, he had a responsibility to care for those who lived and worked on the estate. It was his duty to treat them with respect and kindness.

Apparently that was something Alice did not understand.

TWENTY-FOUR

Julia skated to the side of the pond and turned to catch a better view of William, Andrew, and Millie. Lifting her hand, she squinted against the bright sunlight reflecting off the snow-covered landscape.

Andrew flew past, his skates mere extensions of his feet as he raced across the icy pond. His face glowed pink beneath his freckles, and a few strands of flaming hair escaped from the back of his blue knit hat. Freedom and joy radiated from his face.

William glided toward Julia at a slower pace, holding hands with Millie, who was still struggling to catch the rhythm of skating. But she looked up and smiled at Julia, obviously delighted to have her father’s full attention.

Julia grinned and waved as they passed. “That’s the way, Millie. Keep going.”

“What about me?” William called, his eyes shining.

Julia laughed. “You’re doing very well.”

He sent her a dashing grin, and her heartbeat sped up. How handsome he looked when he smiled that way. She shifted her gaze to Katherine and Penny.

They were both experienced skaters who enjoyed being on the ice, and David had no trouble keeping up with them. His teasing laughter rang out across the pond as he sped past the girls and dared them to join him in a race.

Sarah and Clark came around next, holding hands and skating at an easy pace, happiness lighting both their faces. Sarah had been floating on a
cloud since William had agreed Clark could join them on today’s outing. It was a thoughtful gesture on William’s part, and Julia was pleased he had eased his stance on keeping their relationship a secret.

Alice caught up with William and Millie and skated around once with them, then she cut across the pond and glided to a stop next to Julia. Her flushed cheeks and bright smile highlighted her lovely features. “Goodness, I haven’t skated like this since I was a little girl.”

Julia smiled. “You look as though you are enjoying it.”

“I am, but I’d be glad to take a break for a few minutes. Would you like to sit down?” Alice motioned toward a wooden bench at the side of the pond.

A slight ripple of unease passed through Julia. Alice usually acknowledged her with a nod or a smile, but this was the first time she had initiated a conversation. She scolded herself for hesitating and smiled. “Yes, thank you.”

“William tells me you were a missionary before you came to Highland.”

Julia nodded. “My family and I served in India for twelve years.”

Alice tipped her head, her gaze fixed on Julia. “Yes, that’s what he said.”

Julia shifted and looked across the pond at the skaters. Why had William discussed her background with Alice? It seemed odd, but perhaps Alice had asked him.

“Our church in Philadelphia has sent out several foreign missionaries—some to Africa and others to China, but we don’t have anyone serving in India.”

Julia forced a slight smile.

“The reason I mention it is that my father is quite a philanthropist. He’s always looking for a good cause to support. And I thought if you were returning to India, he might be willing to give a generous gift toward your work.”

“Oh, that would be very kind. I’m sure my parents would be happy to write to him and tell him more about our mission.”

“Are they still in India?”

“No, my father became ill last summer and needed medical treatment. That’s why we returned to England.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. How is he doing now?”

“He’s had a difficult time, but he finally seems to be improving.”

Alice’s face brightened. “So you’ll be returning to India soon?”

Julia glanced across the pond at William and the children, and her heart clenched. “That is our hope, but I’m not sure of the timing. There are several things to consider.”

“Well, you mustn’t worry about William and the children. I’m sure he can find another governess to replace you. If you’re called to serve the poor and suffering and bring them the gospel, then you must go.” She reached for Julia’s gloved hand. “I admire you so much. And I’d be more than happy to speak to my father about your work. I’m sure he’ll be very generous with his support.”

A tremor passed through Julia. “Thank you.”

David whizzed past. “Alice, come join us!”

“I’ll be right there.” She turned back to Julia and smiled. “You will keep me informed about your plans, won’t you?”

Julia’s reply lodged in her throat, so she nodded and forced another smile.

Alice stood and pushed off across the ice, leaving Julia alone on the bench.

Searching across the pond, she looked for William. Millie had taken a spill, and he lifted her to her feet again, their laughter ringing out across the pond.

The thought of leaving him and returning to India made her heart heavy. Would it be wrong for her to stay here? Did she have to go halfway around the world to prove her faithfulness to God and her commitment to following His will? Couldn’t she serve the Lord right here by caring for William and his family?

But that might not be possible for many reasons.

Her gaze shifted to Alice, and she bit her lip. In the last few days Alice’s
interest in William had become quite clear, but it wasn’t as easy to determine if he returned her feelings. He’d been polite and seemed to enjoy their conversations, but Katherine or Sarah had been the ones to suggest Alice join them in their activities.

Julia closed her eyes and tried to still her spinning thoughts. She must pray and commit all these things to the Lord, then trust that He would lead her, but her faith felt weak and wavering.

What shall I do, Lord? What do You want from me?

She waited for an answer, but no clear impression or specific directions came to mind.

Opening her eyes, she looked across the pond. William and Alice now skated side by side with Andrew and Millie following close behind. They looked perfect together, very much like a happy family.

She pressed her lips together, her hopes sinking. Wasn’t that what she wanted for William and the children?

But in her heart, she knew the truth. She wanted to be the one who captured his attention and filled that role in his heart and life.

“I don’t see why we must go to bed now when everyone else is staying up until midnight.” Andrew’s mouth twisted into a scowl.

Julia smoothed the covers over Andrew’s chest. “Everyone else is an adult.”

“I’m not an adult,” Millie piped up from her bed across the room.

Julia smiled. “No, you are not, and that’s why you are also going to bed now.”

“But it’s New Year’s Eve,” Andrew said. “I think I should be allowed to stay up with the others.”

Ann picked up Millie’s shoes. “Your papa made the decision, not Miss Foster, so you should be a good lad and stop complaining.” She set the shoes in the closet and closed the door.

Andrew sighed. “All right. But next year I’m staying up until midnight with everyone else. I’ll be ten then, and that’s certainly old enough.”

Julia brushed the hair off his forehead. “We’ll see. Now it’s time for prayer.”

“Millie should go first,” he said, still looking vexed by his early bedtime.

“All right.” Julia turned to Millie.

The little girl folded her hands and closed her eyes. “Dear God, thank You for today and for Papa and Aunt Sarah and Miss Foster and Ann. Please keep us safe while we sleep, and don’t let us have any bad dreams. Amen.”

Julia added her own thanks for the day, then turned and nodded to Andrew.

“Dear God, please let Papa take me out to practice archery again tomorrow. Thank You for everything, and please let me stay up until midnight next New Year’s Eve. Amen.”

Julia’s heart warmed as she listened to their prayers. She kissed them both on the forehead, then turned down the lamp. “Good night, my dears. Sleep well, and I’ll see you next year.”

“What?” Millie looked up at Julia with a confused expression.

Andrew huffed. “Don’t you understand? Tomorrow morning will be next year.”

“Oh yes.” Millie yawned. “That’s right. Good night, Miss Foster. Good night, Ann.”

Julia closed the door partway and followed Ann into the hall.

The nursery maid stopped and wiped her hand across her forehead. Her shoulders sagged as she poked a strand of blond hair back into her cap.