If Betsy was offended, she gave no indication. Instead, she stood from the bed. “I will leave you to read your letter. I’ll be back to help you later.”
Once Cassandra was alone, she dropped to the bed and read the message eagerly.
Miss Hale,
I have news regarding Mr. Peter Clark. It pains me to report that he is not pleased with these developments, but then again, I warned you that he might not be. He has, fortunately, agreed to an interview with us this Thursday. I will collect you at the boardinghouse at the noon hour and accompany you there personally. I will bring all of the necessary documentation. Don’t forget, Miss Hale, my priority is to see the will fulfilled to Robert’s specifications. Then we may all put the matter to rest.
Until then,
William Longham
* * *
The very next morning, Cassandra arrived at Briarton Park as not just a visitor but the new governess. Instead of the agonizing trepidation that had threatened to cripple her upon prior visits, she now regarded the stone walls and leaded windows with fresh perspective.
How ironic that it was, at one time, her father’s home.
And now it was going to be hers.
She might only be a hired governess, but she would sleep here. Eat here. Live out her daily life here. Anston was officially her new village. She could make friends and establish routines without concern for the immediate future. Now, despite what would happen with Peter Clark, she was carving out her own prospects.
She gripped her reticule and small valise tighter as a thread of excitement wove through her. The hem of her cape grazed the tips of the frost-laden grass as she walked along the edge of the path. The sweet sounds of birdsong energized her, and with each step her mind raced with ideas for how best to spend time with the girls.
She could do this, and do it well.
Cassandra made her way back to the courtyard entrance and knocked. A young maid answered and showed her to one of the back rooms of the servants’ area before leaving her to retrieve the housekeeper.
Within moments Mrs. Helock appeared. What her pointed expression lacked in warmth, her eyes made up in censure. “You’re here then. Mr. Warrington told me to expect you, but he isn’t in. The maid has gone to inform Mrs. Towler you’ve arrived. In the meantime, come with me. I’ll show you to where you’ll be staying.” Her gaze fell to the small valise in her hand. “Where are the rest of your things? Surely you have more than that.”
“Not much more, but Mr. Warrington said he planned to send a boy to the boardinghouse who will bring my belongings by day’s end.”
Cassandra followed the housekeeper up the servants’ stairs to the upper level and the family wing. She’d not been this far into the house before. The nursery was at the end of the corridor. She followed her into a series of small, connected rooms—a schoolroom, a bedchamber—until they reached the last door.
Mrs. Helock pushed it open. “This is where you’ll stay.”
Cassandra ducked to get through the low doorway and looked around the bright space. The ceiling was low, but the curtains were pushed open and a small fire crackled in the grate. She warmed. They’d been expecting her. She slid her finger over the side table against the wall as she made her way to the window.
The chamber she’d shared at the girls’ school had a small square window, but if she wanted to see out of it she had to pull a chair up to it, and even then she was just able to glimpse the tops of distant trees.
But here the window was as broad as it was tall, and it framed a landscape of the autumnal garden. Beyond that, the distant brown moors stretched for as far as she could see until they met the gray expanse of the sky.
She turned. A bed with tidy, clean coverings, a wooden chair, and a wardrobe completed the room’s furnishings.
This was home.
A month prior she never would have dreamed that events would take her so far from the girls’ school. The bittersweet sense of change raced through her.
She dropped the thin curtain covering the window and turned to remove her gloves and bonnet. She untied the ribbons, lifted the straw hat from her head, and placed it atop the bed. Commotion at the door interrupted her. She turned, expecting to see Mrs. Helock.
But there stood Mrs. Towler.
Cassandra had not seen the older woman since their interaction the night of Rachel’s incident and then at church. Now she stood still in the doorway, her hands clasped in front of her.
“Mrs. Towler. You frightened me.” Cassandra expelled a little laugh. “I didn’t hear you approach.”
At first the woman said nothing.
When the awkward silence grew noticeable, Cassandra turned to fully face her. “Was there something you needed from me?”
The woman took one step into the room, her ink-black skirts swishing with the movement. “Maria and Rose will be up shortly. But I wanted to speak to you first. It’s important you know that I do not agree with your presence here.”
Cassandra blinked, determined to hide her shock. She’d suspected the woman would oppose the arrangement, but to hear her disapproval blatantly expressed was unnerving. “I suppose we must trust Mr. Warrington’s instincts as a father to know what is best for his daughters.”
Mrs. Towler inched farther into the chamber. “I’ve seen girls like you before. Young women eager to change their status and situation. If you have any designs set upon this place other than that of a position as a governess, I suggest you reconsider your presence here. I will not allow you or anyone else to take advantage of this family.”
Stunned, Cassandra tempered her tone. “I assure you, ma’am, I am quite capable as a governess.”
“I’ll be watching, Miss Hale. Nothing is more important to me than my granddaughters.”
Footsteps sounded in the hall and then approached through the nursery. Cassandra was grateful for the diversion and, after quickly shedding her pelisse, followed Mrs. Towler to the schoolroom.
There stood the girls, holding hands—Maria, with her long black hair, light freckles across her nose, and her arm in a sling, and Rose, with hair a few shades lighter than Mr. Warrington’s and the same pale gray eyes. They eyed her cautiously, and then Rose smiled ever so subtly.
Cassandra’s heart softened immediately at the sight, and she knelt in front of them. “I am Miss Hale. I’m going to be your governess, and I very much look forward to all of the things we are going to do together.”
Rose leaned closer to her sister, eyes wide. “What are we going to do?”
“Well, we will read together and sew, and I can teach you the pianoforte. What do you think of that?”
Rose and Maria exchanged curious glances.
Cassandra reached for Rose’s hand. “I know what we can do right this minute. The day is fine out. I thought maybe the three of us could go for a walk together to get to know each other. Besides, I know of a game, a very special game, but it will require all three of us.”
Maria looked down to Rose and then nodded approvingly.
Encouraged by their agreement, she drew an energizing breath. “Then it is settled. Now you ladies will have to show me where you keep your capes and bonnets, for I’m also going to rely on you to show me where everything is.”
Cassandra could feel Mrs. Towler’s gaze boring into her as they walked away. She would have to tread lightly. She had no desire to make an enemy.