enjoy being courted and meeting people. Once you’re out there will be dances and lots of exciting things to do. One day you will fall in love and marry the man of your dreams.’
‘My last governess said I should be required to marry for money and position.’ Francesca tossed her head defiantly, as if to challenge them.
‘Why should you? I think that was a foolish thing to say. A girl like you will be able to take your pick. When you are invited into society you will meet lots of gentlemen, and I’m sureyou’ll find one that will make you happy, if you give yourself time. Do not throw yourself away on the first to ask you.’
‘Have you been asked more than once?’
‘Yes, several times …’ Sarah answered without thinking. ‘I refused because … I wasn’t in love.’
‘Love?’ Lord Myers snorted his disgust. ‘Marriage is for property and money, Francesca. Do not expect too much from life and you will not be disappointed.’
‘Is that true, Miss Goodrum?’
All eyes turned to her and Sarah felt warm. She guessed that her cheeks were very pink.
‘Money and property are useful, but I would prefer to live in a cottage with a man I loved than be a fine lady in a manor.’
She had given her pupil a false impression by implying that she cared nothing for money. Her own situation was entirely different—and yet she would not advise marrying for position alone.
‘Of course having money is very useful,’ she added conscientiously.
‘I think I shall marry for love. I want more than just a convenient arrangement,’ Francesca announced and her head went up as if defying her cousin to challenge her.
‘I think you are wise. You should think carefully before committing yourself.’
‘I shall not marry unless I fall in love.’
‘You cannot throw yourself away on an adventurer,’ Sarah said. ‘But I would hold your heart in reserve until you find someone who will show you love rather than mere affection.’
Francesca was silent, but obviously thoughtful. Lord Myers was frowning, perhaps shocked by the new governess’s unconventional opinions. Sarah realised that she was speaking her mind, but perhaps in a way that might not benefit her pupil.
‘Of course you would wish your husband to be a gentleman and of reasonable fortune.’
‘So love in a cottage might not be everything after all?’
Lord Myers threw her a mocking look that stung Sarah. She wanted to retort sharply, but decided she had been indiscreet enough for one day and merely inclined her head, as if acknowledging his hit.
After tea, Sarah asked to be taken up to the schoolroom and both Francesca and John accompanied her, leaving Lord Myers to do whatever gentlemen did until it was time to change for dinner.
Sarah glanced at some of the work her pupilshad done, thought it uninspired and dull, but made no comment. They looked at the books that had been provided and she shook her head over the lack of history and literature.
‘Does the marquess have a library here?’
‘There are shelves of books,’ Francesca said. ‘The last tutor spent most of his time there and told us it was off limits, because the books were too valuable to be touched by ignorant children.’
‘Good gracious!’ Sarah was shocked. ‘How could he have been so impolite! I feel his attitude showed a lack of both manners and sense. I shall ask Lord Myers if we may use the library for our lessons when there are no guests staying. This room is too isolated and dark. If the library is on the ground floor, we can have the windows and doors open on nice days and take our books outside.’
‘You’re different,’ John said, looking at her oddly. ‘Not like a governess at all. Do we have to call you Miss Goodrum?’
Sarah hesitated, then shook her head. ‘In company it might be wise to do so—but when we are together you may call me Sarah if you wish.’
‘I thought your name was Hester Goodrum?’
‘My father called me Sarah and I prefer it.’ Sarah
‘My last governess said I should be required to marry for money and position.’ Francesca tossed her head defiantly, as if to challenge them.
‘Why should you? I think that was a foolish thing to say. A girl like you will be able to take your pick. When you are invited into society you will meet lots of gentlemen, and I’m sureyou’ll find one that will make you happy, if you give yourself time. Do not throw yourself away on the first to ask you.’
‘Have you been asked more than once?’
‘Yes, several times …’ Sarah answered without thinking. ‘I refused because … I wasn’t in love.’
‘Love?’ Lord Myers snorted his disgust. ‘Marriage is for property and money, Francesca. Do not expect too much from life and you will not be disappointed.’
‘Is that true, Miss Goodrum?’
All eyes turned to her and Sarah felt warm. She guessed that her cheeks were very pink.
‘Money and property are useful, but I would prefer to live in a cottage with a man I loved than be a fine lady in a manor.’
She had given her pupil a false impression by implying that she cared nothing for money. Her own situation was entirely different—and yet she would not advise marrying for position alone.
‘Of course having money is very useful,’ she added conscientiously.
‘I think I shall marry for love. I want more than just a convenient arrangement,’ Francesca announced and her head went up as if defying her cousin to challenge her.
‘I think you are wise. You should think carefully before committing yourself.’
‘I shall not marry unless I fall in love.’
‘You cannot throw yourself away on an adventurer,’ Sarah said. ‘But I would hold your heart in reserve until you find someone who will show you love rather than mere affection.’
Francesca was silent, but obviously thoughtful. Lord Myers was frowning, perhaps shocked by the new governess’s unconventional opinions. Sarah realised that she was speaking her mind, but perhaps in a way that might not benefit her pupil.
‘Of course you would wish your husband to be a gentleman and of reasonable fortune.’
‘So love in a cottage might not be everything after all?’
Lord Myers threw her a mocking look that stung Sarah. She wanted to retort sharply, but decided she had been indiscreet enough for one day and merely inclined her head, as if acknowledging his hit.
After tea, Sarah asked to be taken up to the schoolroom and both Francesca and John accompanied her, leaving Lord Myers to do whatever gentlemen did until it was time to change for dinner.
Sarah glanced at some of the work her pupilshad done, thought it uninspired and dull, but made no comment. They looked at the books that had been provided and she shook her head over the lack of history and literature.
‘Does the marquess have a library here?’
‘There are shelves of books,’ Francesca said. ‘The last tutor spent most of his time there and told us it was off limits, because the books were too valuable to be touched by ignorant children.’
‘Good gracious!’ Sarah was shocked. ‘How could he have been so impolite! I feel his attitude showed a lack of both manners and sense. I shall ask Lord Myers if we may use the library for our lessons when there are no guests staying. This room is too isolated and dark. If the library is on the ground floor, we can have the windows and doors open on nice days and take our books outside.’
‘You’re different,’ John said, looking at her oddly. ‘Not like a governess at all. Do we have to call you Miss Goodrum?’
Sarah hesitated, then shook her head. ‘In company it might be wise to do so—but when we are together you may call me Sarah if you wish.’
‘I thought your name was Hester Goodrum?’
‘My father called me Sarah and I prefer it.’ Sarah
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