The Governess of Highland Hall (15 page)

He cocked his head.

“There’s to be no more wine served at dinner or after and none purchased without Sir William’s permission.”

The butler’s eyes widened. “That’s most unusual.”

Mrs. Emmitt sat back and glared at him. “None of this happened until Miss Foster arrived.”

“I don’t know that you can blame all the changes on the governess.”

“And why not? She’s been raised by radically religious parents and spent
the last twelve years in a heathen culture. Why else would Miss Ramsey want to do away with wine and simplify the meals?”

He clasped his hands behind his back again, looking grim. “It’s certainly not the way we’ve always done things at Highland.”

“No, it is not.” She stared into the fire, turning the issue over in her mind. Perhaps it was time she found a way to be rid of Miss Foster.

Julia looked to the top of the grand staircase where Katherine and Penelope waited. Sarah stood beside Julia at the foot of the stairs, watching her cousins with a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Lady Gatewood waited on the lower landing, her gaze focused on her two nieces. “During the season there will be many occasions when you will walk down a stairway to make an entrance into a ballroom. This is an important opportunity to catch the attention of everyone in the room. If there is a butler or footman present, always wait to be announced. Then you must descend slowly, displaying the utmost poise and grace.”

The girls exchanged uncomfortable glances. Katherine tapped Penelope’s arm. “You go first.”

“Why me? You’re the one who’s making her debut.”

“But you’re the one who needs the most practice. Go on.”

The younger girl huffed and rolled her eyes. “All right.” She straightened the sash on her dress, then sent her sister a haughty glance. “At least I’m not afraid to try.” With that Penelope plodded down the stairs, looking a bit like a tired workhorse.

Sarah leaned closer to Julia. “Oh dear, she won’t make a very good impression that way.”

Julia agreed, but she couldn’t very well correct Penelope. Lady Gatewood had taken charge.

“No, no, please stop,” Lady Gatewood called. “That will not do. You must
float
down the stairs, as though you were carried on a cloud.”

Penelope scowled at her aunt. “How in the world am I to do that?”

“You must bend your knees slightly to absorb the shock of your descent, and then you glide along, keeping your head erect and your shoulders level. Like this.” Lady Gatewood demonstrated by lifting her chin and gliding down a few steps while the girls watched.

“She looks more like an actress on stage than a debutante arriving at a ball,” Sarah whispered, a merry twinkle in her eyes.

Julia nodded slightly and lifted her hand to hide her own smile. Katherine glared at them from the top of the stairs. Julia sobered. Sarah lowered her gaze, but her faint smile remained.

Penelope tried again, but her second attempt looked more awkward than the first. “This is ridiculous. It feels so unnatural.” She stomped down the last few stairs and joined Julia and Sarah at the bottom.

Lady Gatewood sighed and waved her hand. “Never mind, dear. We’ll keep practicing. You have two more years before your presentation.” She looked to the top of the stairs. “Your posture and carriage should show an attitude of inner confidence and a bit of mystique. All right, Katherine, shoulders back, chin up, and remember, a lady has only one opportunity to make a first impression.”

Katherine stiffened and lifted her nose so high she couldn’t possibly see where she was going. Julia held her breath, hoping she wouldn’t fall. Lady Gatewood continued calling out a series of suggestions, but they only seemed to confuse Katherine. Her face grew pink, and her expression hardened.

Sarah leaned toward Julia and whispered, “Poor girl. I’m afraid she looks a bit like a giraffe with her neck stretched out like that.”

Fire blazed in Katherine’s eyes as she reached the bottom step. “How dare you stand there and laugh at me.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “Oh, Katherine—”

“I saw you whispering.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Of course you did. You meant to humiliate me in front of my aunt and sister.”

“No, I didn’t, but it was thoughtless of me to make light of your efforts.
I’m sorry.” Sarah sent a worried glance Julia’s way. “I’m sure with all the effort you’re putting forth, you’ll do very well when you go to London for the season.”

Katherine spun around. “What would you know about the season? You were never presented to the king and queen or took part in any of it. Your
deformity
kept you out of society.”

Sarah gasped.

Katherine hardened her expression. “You know nothing about courtship or marriage, and you probably never will, so that gives you very little room to laugh at me.”

The color drained from Sarah’s cheeks.

Fire flashed through Julia. “Katherine, stop! You may not speak to your cousin like that.” She stepped closer to Sarah.

“I quite agree.” Lady Gatewood joined them. “Ladies of good breeding—especially members of the same family—do not criticize each other in public. It’s unseemly.”

“They don’t laugh and try to embarrass each other either.” Katherine lifted her chin. “But we might as well get these issues out in the open.”

“What issues?” Lady Gatewood looked from Sarah to Katherine.

Katherine narrowed her gaze at Sarah. “I know how she and her brother feel about us.”

“What do you mean?” Sarah’s voice came out choked and breathless.

“You were more than happy to inherit Highland and take over all that should have been ours, but Penelope and I are an unwelcome burden.”

Sarah shook her head, pain and disbelief shimmering in her eyes.

“Well, you needn’t worry. By this time next year I expect be married and established in my own home, then you and your brother will be rid of me.”

Tears pooled in Sarah’s eyes. She lifted a trembling hand to cover her mouth and hurried away.

“Sarah, wait,” Julia called. But Sarah disappeared through the doorway at the end of the hall without looking back.

Julia spun toward Katherine, her heart pounding. “She never intended to hurt you. You’ve misjudged her and been thoughtless and unkind.”

“You’re just as bad, smirking and making fun of us.”

Julia didn’t flinch as she met Katherine’s haughty glare. “You cannot excuse your behavior by pointing your finger at someone else.”

“I am very tired of your self-righteous attitude. You’re just as human and sinful as the rest of us, and you’ve proved it today.”

A hot reply rose in Julia’s throat, but before she could speak, William strode into the great hall, his dark eyebrows knit together.

“What is going on?”

“Nothing!” Katherine turned on her heel and rushed up the stairs.

Mrs. Emmitt slipped behind a large column in the upper gallery as Katherine stormed past. The girl was so furious she didn’t see her, but Mrs. Emmitt had overheard everything.

Katherine jerked open her bedroom door, strode in, and slammed it behind her.

Mrs. Emmitt shook her head, her own anger simmering. Poor girl. She was still grieving and struggling to accept the changes that had swept through the house following her father’s death. She hadn’t always been this fractious. It was only in the last few months since her world had been turned upside down that she’d become sullen and difficult.

Today’s confrontation certainly had not helped. What right did that governess and Miss Ramsey have to mock the girls’ efforts to prepare for the season? Of course, she didn’t approve of Katherine’s response, but being the brunt of jokes and laughter cut to the heart. She knew that all too well.

She started down the hallway, then stopped. Perhaps these insults could be turned into an opportunity. She knocked on Katherine’s door and leaned closer to listen for her response.

“Go away. I don’t want to see anyone.”

“It’s Mrs. Emmitt.” When she heard no more protests, she opened the door and stepped inside.

Katherine stood facing the tall window, staring out at the gray November afternoon.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, miss, but I saw you go past. Is there anything I can do to help?”

Katherine sniffed and brushed her hand across her cheek. “Not unless you know of a way to get me out of this house.”

Mrs. Emmitt crossed the room and stood beside Katherine. “Some things may have changed, but this is still your home, and your wishes should be honored.”

“If only that were true.” Katherine tugged off her gloves and tossed them on the dressing table. “I’m afraid my cousins care very little about me or my wishes. Look at the goose of a governess they hired!”

Mrs. Emmitt’s pulse jumped. This could be just the opening she hoped for, but she must tread very carefully. “I know you haven’t been pleased with Miss Foster.”

“That is an understatement. She has made my life miserable. Not only must we rise early for morning Scripture reading and prayer, but we have to waste our days poring over dreadful French texts, reading boring history books, and discussing other topics that I have no interest in whatsoever.”

“That does sound like quite a change from your usual routine.”

“You haven’t heard the half of it. She also requires us to read classic novels and memorize long sections of poetry. But worst of all, she insists we analyze Bible passages and look for modern applications. It’s ridiculous!”

“I’m sorry, miss. I know you’re not used to such demands.”

“I most certainly am not.”

“Have you spoken to Sir William about it? Perhaps he’s not aware that Miss Foster’s lessons have become a burden.”

Katherine released a mocking laugh. “I doubt that would matter to him. He’s probably very glad she has us under her thumb.”

“Oh, I’m not so sure about that. He hired her with the understanding that she would have a one-month trial … and that time has almost past.”

Katherine turned to Mrs. Emmitt, a spark of interest in her eyes. “Really?”

“Yes. He wanted to make sure she could handle her responsibilities before he made a final commitment.”

“Do you think he might dismiss her if I told him how difficult she’s been?”

“I don’t know, miss. But I think it’s important to let him know how she’s treating you.”

“I don’t think my disapproval would be enough reason for him to let her go. How has she been getting along with Andrew and Millicent?”

“Sir William is not pleased that she takes them on long walks every day, even when the weather is questionable.”

“That’s hardly reason enough to let her go.”

“No, especially when it’s difficult to find a qualified governess.”

Katherine narrowed her eyes. “It would have to be something more serious for him to consider dismissing her.”

Mrs. Emmitt nodded, barely able to hold back her smile. “I believe you’re right. He would only let her go if there was a good reason—a very good reason indeed.”

Sarah fled through the music room and ran out the side door, Katherine’s hurtful words echoing through her heart. A cold wind whipped around her ankles and tugged at her skirt as she hurried along the side of the house. Heavy clouds blanketed the sky, threatening rain. She wished she had brought her shawl, but she could not go back now, not with her hot tears ready to overflow.