The Governess of Highland Hall (24 page)

“But it’s nice of you to come,” her mother added. “Sir William brought us a basket with some lovely meat, cheese, and preserves.”

“That’s very kind. Thank you.”

Her mother’s eyes glowed. “Well, I’ll just go put on the teakettle.” She returned to the kitchen.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you.” He motioned toward the washtub.

Julia’s cheeks warmed. “I’m almost finished. If I could just rinse and hang this last sheet, then I can offer you some tea in the parlor.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate a cup of tea.”

Julia returned to the laundry tub, her stomach fluttering. She couldn’t imagine why her mother had brought William to the back room rather than
invite him to sit in the parlor or at least the kitchen. What was she thinking? She must look a sight with her hair down, her sleeves rolled up, and her arms dripping with dirty wash water. Well, this was how she spent a good part of her day, and she ought not to pretend her life was any different.

She hefted the bulky sheet from the tub and began twisting out the water.

“That looks heavy. Let me help you.”

“Oh no. It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“I insist.” He lifted one end of the sheet.

She stifled a groan and nodded her acceptance, though her face flamed. Together they wrung out the sheet and hung it over the line at the back of the room.

“How is your father today?”

“He seems to be regaining his strength. We’re very grateful.” She reached up and adjusted the sheet so it hung evenly over the line.

“I’m glad to hear it. That makes me feel a little easier about making my request.”

Julia glanced his way, wondering what he meant, but his expression revealed nothing. “What request is that, sir?”

He glanced over his shoulder toward the kitchen, then back at her. “We’ve had a … bit of a crisis at Highland, and I’m hoping you might be able to return soon.” His dark eyebrows drew together in a worried frown.

“Oh, dear. Has something happened to one of the children?”

“No, the children are fine, though they miss you terribly and ask every day when you’re coming back.”

That news warmed her heart. “I’ve missed them as well.”

“This has nothing to do with the children or my cousins.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry … It’s difficult to speak of.”

She clasped her hands. “Whatever it is, you can be sure I’ll keep it in confidence.”

He nodded and met her gaze. “It’s my sister. It seems she’s been carrying on a secret liaison with Dalton, the gardener.” His lips twisted as though the words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Julia’s heart sank. “Oh, I’m sure they haven’t done anything improper.”

“I caught them together this morning in his office. He has convinced her of his undying devotion.” Sarcasm filled his voice. “But of course I know the truth.”

“Which is …?”

“He’s willing to marry her in spite of her deformity because he has his eye on her inheritance.”

Julia shook her head. “Oh, I don’t think that’s his motivation.”

His eyes flashed. “You knew about this?”

She hesitated, remembering her promise to Sarah. “She did speak to me about it.”

“Yet you said nothing to me?” He gripped his hat in his hand and looked away. “I would not have expected such disloyalty from you.”

“Please, don’t think of it as disloyalty. Sarah confided in me a few weeks ago, and I urged her to speak to you.”

“But when she kept it from me, why didn’t you come yourself?”

“She asked me not to tell anyone, and I gave her my promise. I thought she would tell you in time.”

“Well, she didn’t, and now she says if I dismiss Dalton, she’ll run away with him.”

Julia’s knees suddenly felt weak, and she leaned against the wall. “I’m sorry. I had no idea things had moved along so quickly. I thought there was time to do everything properly.”

“Properly? You think I should agree to let my sister marry a gardener?” He shook his head. “A month or a year will make no difference. I would be the laughingstock of Berkshire and London if I allowed it.”

“But surely you care more about your sister’s happiness than the opinions of strangers.”

“So you sympathize with her? You think I should let her go off and live in an old cottage as a poor man’s wife?”

Heat flooded her face, and she lifted her chin. “A simple life in a cottage with a husband and children who love you is nothing to be ashamed of.”

His stern expression faltered. “Of course not. Forgive me. I am not speaking of you or your family. I’m thinking of Sarah. She was raised in a privileged home and sheltered from the harsher realities of life.”

“She may have been sheltered, but she knows her own mind, and she has set her heart on marrying Mr. Dalton.”

“That’s impossible. She would be throwing her life away.”

“But Mr. Dalton is a sincere and honorable man. I believe he loves Sarah and would do everything in his power to make her happy.”

“If she marries him, she’ll become the focus of cruel gossip and lose her place in society.”

“From what Sarah has told me, she has rarely been involved in society. I can’t see how marrying Mr. Dalton would make any difference.”

“But if I allow it, people will say I have not done my duty to protect and provide for her. I will be the one who pays for her mistakes.”

“So that’s your greatest concern: that it will reflect poorly on you?” She shook her head, stunned and disappointed. “I cannot believe you would take away your sister’s one chance for love and marriage just to maintain your reputation.”

His piercing expression darkened.

A warning rose in her heart, but she pushed past it. “Marrying to maintain wealth and position in society does not guarantee a happy future or godly contentment—as you well know.”

His face reddened and became a stormy mask. “You have no right to speak to me in this manner. I have nothing more to say to you.” He turned and strode past her out the back door.

Her legs began to tremble, and all the strength drained out of her. She grabbed the edge of the laundry tub.
Oh, Lord, what have I done?

“Tea is ready.” Julia’s mother stepped through the doorway. “Where is Sir William?”

Julia swallowed, trying to find her voice. “He left by the back door.”

“Goodness, Julia, you’re as pale as a sheet. Come and sit down.” Her mother took Julia’s arm and led her into the warm kitchen.

Julia sank into a chair and tried to still her trembling.

Her mother brought the teapot to the table and poured her a cup of tea. “For goodness’ sake, what happened?”

“I’m afraid I spoke my mind too plainly, and I offended Sir William.”

“Then you must make it right.”

“But if he doesn’t change his mind, he will hurt his sister deeply. How can I condone that?”

“You can apologize for the way you spoke to him without agreeing to his conclusions.”

A surge of resistance rose in her heart. Sir William was wrong, and when her mother heard the details of the story, she would agree. Knowing her mother would keep the matter private, she told her about Sarah and Mr. Dalton, and then she explained how Sir William had discovered them. Her mother listened quietly, concern deepening in her eyes.

“So you can see why I expressed myself as I did.” Julia shifted in her seat, feeling less certain of her stance than she had at first. What if she was wrong and Mr. Dalton’s intentions were not pure? But hadn’t Reverend Langford confirmed Mr. Dalton’s character? Even so, she should not have spoken to Sir William as she had.

“I understand Sir William’s concerns.” Her mother lifted her teacup and sat back. “It reminds me very much of the difficulties I faced when I decided to marry your father.” Her gaze drifted toward the kitchen window, and her mouth tightened slightly. “The division it caused in my family has been very hard to live with at times.”

“But you don’t regret marrying Father, do you?”

“No. Of course not.” She took a sip of her tea. “Two decisions have shaped my life. The first was following the Savior with my whole heart when I was seventeen, and the second was accepting your father’s proposal two years later. I am eternally grateful I had the courage to do both. My life has been blessed as I’ve served the Lord, and I have enjoyed the love and devotion of a godly husband.” Her expression softened. “But I do regret the pain I caused my family.”

“That was not your fault. Your father is the one who refused to see you after you married.”

Her mother nodded. “I had to fight a long battle in my heart to find forgiveness. But Christ has won the victory, and I am free of bitterness. Now, when I think of my family and all the years that have been lost, I feel sorrow rather than anger. I have accepted that my father may never change. Bea’s desire to stay in touch and pass our letters on to my mother has been a great comfort.”

Julia nodded, remembering their years in India and how much her aunt’s letters had meant to her mother. The exchange of news had been carried on for many years without her grandfather’s knowledge. Her grandmother often enclosed a note with her aunt’s letters, and those words of love and encouragement had meant the world to her mother.

“But the point in all this,” her mother continued, “is that you must make amends with Sir William so you can keep your position and encourage him and his sister to work out their differences. Marrying the person you love is important, but so are family relationships. And you, my dear Julia, may be the one the Lord wants to use to help them through these difficult days.”

“I doubt Sir William will listen to anything else I have to say about it, especially now.”

“But you still have influence with his sister. And if she will wait and give her brother time, perhaps he will come around and accept the idea of her marrying Mr. Dalton.”

“I am not sure either of them can be persuaded to change their minds. Sarah might listen to reason, but Sir William is very proud and set in his ways. And he obviously disliked me giving my opinion today.”

“Perhaps it was more the manner in which you shared it than the message itself.”

Conviction washed over Julia’s heart, and she looked down and smoothed out her apron. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? Failed to control my tongue when my emotions have been stirred.” She sighed. “I don’t know
why I so often assume I’m right and say exactly what I’m thinking. Later on I always regret I didn’t pray and consider the timing or my words more carefully.”

“Realizing our weaknesses is half the battle.” Her mother smiled and set her teacup aside. “If you are going to be used by the Lord to help in this situation, you must cool your emotions and guard your tongue.”

Julia nodded, knowing her mother was right.

“Sir William came here today, asking for your help.” Her mother tipped her head, a question in her eyes. “That seems quite unusual, wouldn’t you agree?”

“He knows Sarah and I have developed a friendship. I’m sure he thought I would help him convince Sarah to give up Mr. Dalton.” Julia’s heart ached as she thought of her friend. “I so want Sarah to be happy.”

“Of course you do. But I must ask … Do you think there is some other reason Sir William came to see you today?”

“What other reason could there be?”

“Well, he has been very kind to you: driving you home in his motorcar, fetching the doctor, paying for the doctor’s visit, and bringing that generous basket of food. And when he arrived today, he insisted on seeing you right away.” A faint smile lifted her lips. “I wondered if there might be an attachment forming between you.”

Julia quickly shook her head. “I’m sure Sir William doesn’t think of me like that.”

“But you mention him often. Have you grown to care for him?”

Julia’s cheeks warmed. “Sir William is bound by the traditions of society. He would never become involved with someone on his staff.”

“A governess is not the same as a housemaid,” her mother added.

“No, but she would not be a good match for a baronet like Sir William.”

Her mother gazed toward the kitchen window. “Perhaps, but there is something about his manner toward you that makes me wonder. He puts on a very valiant face, but I sense vulnerability in him, a need or some sort of wound that he tries to keep hidden.”

“He has experienced several losses.” Julia looked down, torn by her opposing feelings. “But he is a proud, opinionated man. His estate and position are much more important to him than his family or his faith. And for those reasons, I could never love him.”

“Be careful, my dear. Pride does not afflict only the wealthy. A poor man or woman can struggle with the same vice for different reasons.” Her mother laid her hand over Julia’s. “It takes humility to put aside hurt feelings and see through to someone’s heart.” Wisdom and affection flowed from her mother’s caring expression.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll consider what you’ve said.”

“Good.” Her mother’s smile returned, and she gave Julia’s hand a pat.

Julia refilled her teacup and stirred in a spoonful of sugar. Sir William might be set in his ways and determined to separate Sarah and Mr. Dalton, but she had been impulsive and spoken out of turn again. He had come asking for her help, and she had sent him away empty handed. That would never do. It was dishonoring—and almost as offensive as his opposition to Sarah and Mr. Dalton’s attachment.

She took a sip of tea, a plan forming in her mind. Helping Sarah and Sir William resolve their differences was much more important than defending her wounded pride. She would write to him today, straighten out the matter, and ask to return to Highland as soon as possible.

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