by Evie Grace
‘What I’m trying to say is that knowledge can breed discontent,’ Lady Faraday said.
‘What do you think, Miss Linnet?’ Sir Richard asked.
‘I follow the example of Her Majesty,’ Agnes said, not wishing to take sides in an argument between husband and wife. ‘Any young lady should receive education in world affairs so she can play her part in the drawing room.’
‘Oh, I am very fond of you, Miss Linnet,’ Sir Richard guffawed loudly. ‘You make perfect sense.’
‘I want my daughters to be educated, but I’d prefer them not to travel,’ Lady Faraday insisted. ‘I would miss them. And I’d worry.’
‘You will have to let them go one day,’ Sir Richard said.
‘I know, but they are young yet, too young to leave their mother’s care.’ Lady Faraday glared at her husband. ‘Shall we change the subject? We should make plans for your stay tomorrow. We usually attend church on a Sunday morning. You will not go off shooting on the Sabbath as you did last time, Sir Richard.’
Just as Agnes was thinking this could be a cue to blend into the background, Sir Richard turned to her.
‘Which church did you used to go to?’ he asked. He appeared to have surprised himself, taking an interest in the governess all of a sudden. Or was he distracted by her scarlet dress? Agnes thought, feeling somewhat ashamed. She had dressed for Felix’s benefit, not his father’s. She had forgotten there would be other gentlemen present.
‘I didn’t used to go very often. Mama – when she was alive, God rest her soul,’ she added quickly when she remembered that she was supposed to be dead, ‘didn’t like to leave the house. It was her nerves. They are – they were very sensitive.’
‘How did she keep her faith?’ Sir Richard asked.
‘The reverend used to come to the house on occasion in return for dinner.’ She didn’t know what to say. Her audience, the Faradays and Thomases, were staring at her, waiting for her to go on. ‘He ended up a very corpulent gentleman,’ she said, suppressing a giggle.
‘How very odd,’ Lady Faraday said.
‘I haven’t heard of that before,’ Mrs Thomas observed.
‘Aren’t their stipends fattening enough without feeding them extra?’ the master laughed.
Agnes scolded herself as Lady Faraday and her friends turned away. She felt so at ease with the family, she had forgotten to keep her distance. She would have to be far more careful, she thought, as she noticed Pell watching her closely.
‘Miss Linnet. Over here.’
She turned to find Elizabeth beckoning to her.
She smiled and walked across to join the young people.
‘I adore your outfit,’ Elizabeth said. ‘You must tell Mama which dressmaker you use.’
‘I don’t know where it came from. It was a gift.’
‘It changes your appearance. I hardly recognised you.’
‘It makes no alteration,’ Felix said. ‘Miss Linnet is as pretty as ever.’
Her heart missed a beat. He looked more handsome than before in his evening dress and with his hair falling in soft waves over his forehead. How could she keep her composure?
There was an awkward silence until Charlotte ventured to mention that she had done well in geography.
‘We have begun on America,’ she said.
Felix sneered and laughed.
‘I see. Your brilliant governess has just discovered America. Oh, sister, self-praise is not a virtue.’
Charlotte fell quiet again. Agnes noticed her brushing a tear from her eye, and the ire rose in her throat. How dare he undo the progress she had made? How dare he denigrate his sister’s achievements! She had no hesitation in confronting him, even in the drawing room.
‘That was unkind, Felix,’ she said.
‘What is it to you?’ he said rudely.
‘She was making conversation. Where are your manners?’ He flushed. ‘A gentleman would apologise …’
‘And that is what I shall do,’ he said quickly. ‘I’m sorry, Charlotte, and Miss Linnet. I overstepped the bounds of polite opinion.’
‘Thank you,’ Charlotte muttered.
‘That was very graceful of you.’ Agnes glanced towards Elizabeth, who was gazing up admiringly at George and hanging on his every word. ‘Do tell us about your favourite music, Master Moldbury,’ she said, interrupting their conversation, having decided that this sacrifice of the finer points of etiquette was worth it to maintain Elizabeth’s reputation. ‘Tell me, are you a follower of Beethoven or Haydn?’
‘I don’t have a preference,’ he said, his eyes on Elizabeth. ‘I find that all music can be quite stirring as long as it is performed with feeling.’
‘Indeed. You are very wise, George,’ Elizabeth simpered.
Agnes bit back her annoyance and suppressed an urge to send her charge straight to bed. Luckily Pell rang the gong for dinner so they made their way to the dining room, where she was seated between the coquette and her willing suitor. Felix sat opposite, between Charlotte and Mrs Thomas, and the meal passed without incident. They had consommé, cod sounds and Florentine of rabbit stuffed with a forcemeat of bread, anchovy, wine and herbs and served with a white sauce. After that, they ate burned cream – an egg custard with a flamed sugar topping served with wild strawberries.
Afterwards, they retired to the drawing room where Felix came over to sit next to Agnes on one of the chaises. The young ladies showed off their prowess at playing the pianoforte and singing, before George was urged to take over the keys and show off his musical training.
‘Would you like a seat closer to the piano, Miss Linnet?’ Sir Richard said, getting up from his chair.
‘Oh, no thank you,’ she said, a little shocked at this breech of the rules of social propriety. Nanny had always been most adamant that it was rude of a gentleman to offer his seat to a lady when the cushion may still be warm. He had coarse manners, she thought. The whole household had an unruly, excitable atmosphere compared with the predictable gentility of Windmarsh Court.
Felix shifted closer to her.
‘Miss Linnet, what has given you this air of superiority?’ he said in a low voice. ‘Where does it come from?’
‘I have acquired it from observation and practice,’ she replied.
‘You are quite fascinating, and very beautiful too – if you don’t mind me saying.’
‘You can say what you like to me as long as it’s the truth,’ she said boldly, putting his attentions down to convention. He could hardly ignore her, could he?
He leaned back and stretched out one long leg.
‘My little sister is making a fool of herself over George,’ he sighed.
‘I’m doing my best,’ Agnes said sharply. ‘Perhaps you can have a word with him, and advise him not to encourage her.’
‘Anything to be of service,’ he said with a smile. ‘I wonder if in return you might give me some instruction in the French language.’
‘Oh?’ she said, flummoxed by his request. ‘I don’t know. I’d need to seek approval from her ladyship.’
‘I can’t think that Mama would have any objection. I’m intending to travel abroad – it would be useful to develop the art of conversation in another tongue. I shall speak to my mother and let you know so we can make arrangements. I’m also planning a trip into town while George is here, and thought I’d better ask you if it’s all right for my sisters to take a day off their lessons. I’ve heard you are a tartar.’
‘Is that what Charlotte and Elizabeth have said?’ She couldn’t help smiling.
‘You’ve made quite an impression on them.’ He smiled back. ‘Of course, you would have to accompany us. Mama would never let them go unchaperoned.’
She raised one eyebrow. ‘I would have thought that their brother would have made a perfectly suitable chaperone.’
‘My mother knows me too well.’ He stood up. ‘I will wish you goodnight, Miss Linnet. George and I are planning to go out shooting first thing in the morning.’ His eyes glint
ed with humour when he added, ‘Before church, of course, and outside, rather than in the drawing room this time. I look forward to seeing you again.’
The guests began to retreat, retiring to their beds.
Agnes made her excuses and returned to her room, but she couldn’t sleep for worrying about Pell and what he would do, and for thinking about Felix. It meant nothing, of course. It was merely empty and meaningless drawing room conversation. For a moment her mind flashed back to the Cheeverses, their genuine warmth and affection, unpretentious talk and meaningful occupation. She wished … Oh, what was the point of wishing? She had to make the most of what she’d got.
Chapter Fifteen
Like a Rose Embowered
The young gentlemen didn’t make an appearance at church, being caught up in their other pursuits. Lady Faraday was most unhappy about it, but her husband was more forgiving. Agnes had to confess that she was disappointed not to see Felix that morning. She missed him too in the afternoon and evening when the family went on an outing with their guests, leaving her at home to occupy herself with some painting in her room.
Her paintbrush slipped from sky to hillside and muddied the colours. She scuffed the paper, spoiling it with the bristles, and threw the brush down. She felt dull. It seemed that the arrival of the young gentlemen had stirred up some restlessness and rebellion in her breast.
The presence of visitors in the house had a similar effect on Charlotte and Elizabeth, who were late for their lessons the following morning.
‘I find it difficult to provide any occupation that holds your attention for more than five minutes, and you don’t help at all. You do not set yourself to any employment, Elizabeth,’ Agnes said. ‘You seem content to sit with Sunny on your knee, talking about George and soldiers. It is frustrating because you’re an intelligent young woman. Where were you this morning? I was expecting you in the schoolroom.’
‘Felix sent us on an errand.’
‘To do what?’
‘To find him a pair of cufflinks. And then to take a note to Mama.’
‘Why could he not undertake these tasks himself?’
‘Because he’s my brother and it’s expected of us.’
‘Why did you not explain that you were unavailable? I should like to add that when we are in the schoolroom, we should be considered to be out of the house and be strangers to everyone within it.’
Charlotte joined in. ‘We aren’t able to give our undivided attention to anything when Felix is at home. He is a distraction. I love him, but I find that I would prefer to be with my books.’
He had been taught by his mother and father’s example that every vice might be forgiven in a man and every virtue was expected from a woman. That all girls’ interests should be subservient to his was natural. Boys first. The young ladies were expected to wait on him without complaint.
‘Sit down, both of you. Let us get on.’
They worked through their lessons, and later they went out for a walk. Lo and behold, the young gentlemen appeared in the woods, strolling towards them with Sir Richard’s rangy black gun dog wandering alongside.
Sunny, who was trotting along at Charlotte’s heels, came darting out from behind her and growled.
The gun dog’s hackles went up. He dived on to the smaller dog and grabbed it by the neck.
‘No!’ Charlotte screamed. ‘He will kill him!’
It was George who was the hero. He waded in and grabbed the black dog by the scruff, which took him by surprise. In yelping, he let go, and Sunny ran up Elizabeth’s dress to the safety of her arms.
‘Oh, my poor dear,’ Charlotte exclaimed as Elizabeth pushed the dog into her sister’s arms.
‘Are you all right, George? You aren’t hurt?’ she said. ‘It was a very brave thing to do.’
‘I am quite well, Elizabeth,’ he said, smiling. ‘And I’d hardly describe it as an act of courage.’
‘Where are you going?’ Felix asked. ‘Would you permit us to join you, Miss Linnet?’
‘If you wish,’ Agnes said.
‘It is rather quiet here at Windmarsh when you are used to Oxford and its entertainments.’
‘I thought you were supposed to be studying there,’ she said archly.
‘We are. In a manner of speaking. But you can’t study all day, every day, can you?’
They walked together. Elizabeth took up position beside George while Charlotte walked the other side of him. The dogs were ignoring each other now. Agnes dropped back a little. So did Felix.
They walked through the estate in the summer sunshine until they reached Wingate Hill.
‘It’s strange that you and Master Moldbury have turned up like bad pennies. Anyone would have thought that you were lying in wait for us.’
‘Elizabeth made it known that you usually take the air at this time.’ He smiled. ‘I think that was for George’s benefit, but it has advantages for me as well. It is very pleasant walking with you and my sisters. You seem out of sorts, Miss Linnet. Is it something I have said?’
‘Oh no, it isn’t you.’
‘Is it about another gentleman? You have a special friend?’
‘No.’ She smiled. ‘It has nothing to do with affairs of the heart.’
‘I’m surprised that you are not already engaged.’
‘I am a governess. I work for my living. I’m not in a position to be married.’
‘I don’t think you will be left on the shelf for long.’ He paused before continuing, ‘Forgive me. I speak my mind. There is no point doing otherwise. By the way, I’ve spoken to Mama about the French conversation and she is in full agreement. She said to ask you when it would be convenient.’
‘I look forward to that. How about tomorrow at eleven?’ It would tie in with the French conversation she had planned for the young ladies. The more the merrier, she thought.
The party continued along Faulkner’s Lane and on to Pilgrim’s Way before entering the orchard, where they climbed over one stile, and then another. They passed alongside a row of cottages and a hop garden where the bines were at the top of the chestnut poles. They walked on into the woods and back through the fields to Upper Harbledown.
Agnes was glad of Felix’s attentions, the way that he included her in his plans, and made her feel like a friend of the family, not a governess. She was fascinated by him and found herself thinking about him far too often during the remainder of the day.
She looked forward to their lesson with more than a little trepidation, unused to being in the company of a gentleman and unsure how the young ladies would perform in his presence. Would Charlotte be tongue-tied with shyness in front of her brother and would Elizabeth show off?
The next morning, there was a sharp rap at the schoolroom door. She glanced at the clock. He was early. Her pulse bounded a little faster as he opened the door.
‘Good morning, ladies,’ he said, entering with a flourish of his hand. ‘Bonjour.’
‘Come in and sit down, Master Faraday,’ Agnes said.
‘Oh, let’s have none of this Master Faraday nonsense. I am Felix to you.’
‘I am the governess, not one of your sisters,’ she said, amused.
He remained on his feet to address Charlotte and Elizabeth.
‘Mama requests your presence in the parlour. She wishes you to meet with the milliner.’
‘Oh? I thought that Charlotte and Elizabeth would take part in our lesson.’ Agnes hadn’t entertained the idea that they might be left alone together.
He cocked one eyebrow. ‘I prefer to have you all to myself – when it comes to conversation, Charlotte is mute and Elizabeth talks of nothing but which gown she’ll wear when George is here for dinner.’
Agnes glared at him.
‘Oh, I see,’ he said, seeming to look right into her soul. ‘My dear sisters. I apologise for what I’ve just said.’
‘Are you willing to accept your brother’s apology?’ Agnes said, turning to the young ladies.
‘He deserves s
ome kind of penance for his low opinion of us,’ Elizabeth said. ‘What do you suggest, Charlotte?’
‘We will consider forgiveness when he has waited upon us hand and foot for a whole day,’ Charlotte said with a smile. Agnes smiled too. Charlotte had lost the girlish plumpness around her face and was beginning to bloom as a young woman. Her mama wouldn’t find it as hard to marry her off as she’d imagined. Agnes watched how she stood with her back straight and head up, no longer scared to speak in case she said something out of turn. Her efforts in deportment had served her well.
‘Shall we have George wait on us as well?’ Elizabeth giggled.
Agnes sighed inwardly. All her lessons in modesty and etiquette had done little for the younger sister.
‘I believe that an hour of your brother’s time will be adequate compensation. You’d better run along to your mama. Sit down, Felix. Charlotte, leave the door open, please,’ Agnes added quickly as Charlotte made to close it behind her.
‘Don’t fret, Miss Linnet. What on earth do you imagine I am going to do with you?’ Felix said softly. ‘All you have to do if I touch one precious hair on your head is scream, and Pell will be here within seconds.’ He pulled the chairs out and placed one each side of the window so they were facing each other. He held out his hand.
Agnes hesitated, her heart pounding so hard it felt as if it would jump out of her chest.
‘Venez vous asseoir, mademoiselle.’
‘Merci beaucoup, monsieur.’ She stepped across, avoiding taking his hand, and sat down. He took the other seat, pulling it up so close that their knees almost touched.
‘You are blushing.’ A smile spread slowly across his face, revealing his even white teeth.
‘It is the sun coming through the window.’ She touched her cheek.