More Than a Governess

He turned to accompany her. Juliana took his proffered arm, glancing back to make sure the two children were close behind.

‘And have you ordered another gown, Miss Wrenn, as I instructed?’

‘No. Mrs Hartley has worked miracles with my grey silk and it will be ready to take with me tomorrow.’ She saw he was looking severe and added, ‘Lady Varley has already wrested an old gown from me, and will use it as a pattern for the new one that is being made up for me. She has promised to send it on as soon as it is ready.’

‘Quite right. I am very sorry for what happened last night.’

‘It was an accident.’

‘We both know it was nothing of the kind,’ he retorted. ‘Gwendoline does not want you to come with us. I shall talk to her today, and make sure she understands I will not tolerate her disobedience.’

She stopped. ‘Oh, pray do not be harsh on her, sir. It—it might make her resent me even more.’

Major Collingham turned to look at her. ‘Then what would you have me say, Miss Wrenn?’

Juliana hesitated. She said slowly, ‘I think we should agree that if Gwendoline is of the same mind when we reach Lancashire, we will terminate the contract. She will learn little from me if we are constantly at loggerheads.’

‘Rousseau’s teachings, Miss Wrenn?’

‘Common sense, Major. I will do my best to make her like me, but you know that we cannot always order our affections.’

‘And you would have me tell her that she may decide once we get to Blackthorpe?’

‘Why, yes. I would like Gwendoline to know that I have no wish to inflict myself upon her against her will.’

‘But to leave then—you would be miles from your home, Miss Wrenn.’

‘I have no home now, sir,’ she said quietly. ‘There are no relatives to make it desirable for me to remain here. I can as easily find employment in the big towns of the north, and—’

A scream and commotion behind them made her break off. Turning, Juliana saw that Tom and Amy had fallen some way behind, and Thomas was fighting with two larger boys while Amy stood behind him, screaming for help. Passersby hesitated, but the Major was there before any of them could act. Grabbing Thomas’s assailants by their ragged collars he pulled them away and banged their heads together. The two boys staggered back and, as the Major turned his attention to Thomas, they tore themselves free and took to their heels.

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