1. Chapter One

Chapter One

A brisk wind blew through the narrow streets of London, ruffling Mr. Richard Bell's hair as he dismounted from his horse outside the orphanage on Duke Street. The young man gazed up at the plain brick building with its tall windows and took a deep breath, feeling nervous but determined. He had arranged an appointment with Mrs. Hatton, the matron of the orphanage, to discuss hiring a governess for his three daughters.

"Good morning, sir," a stable boy greeted him, hurrying over and holding out a hand to take the reins of Richard's horse.

"Thank you." Richard smiled at the young lad as he handed over the reins, watching as the boy led the horse away. Then he straightened his waistcoat, climbed the steps to the large oak door, and was admitted by another young boy trying very hard to look like a proper butler.

"Mrs. Hatton's office is this way, sir," said the child, his voice cracking on the last word. Richard bit back a smile and nodded.

The entrance hall rang with the sound of children's voices, echoing in the high-ceilinged space. Richard took in the white walls and wooden floors as he followed the boy down the hall towards the matron's office, feeling a pang for the young faces peeking out from behind half-closed doors.

"Mr. Bell, I presume?" A brisk voice made Richard jump a little.

He turned to see Mrs. Hatton standing there, grey eyes sharp and unsmiling. Her greying brown hair was pulled back into a tight knot at the nape of her neck, and she wore a severely cut brown dress with a stiff white collar. She looked exactly like a woman who ran an orphanage in one of the poorer parts of London.

"Yes, ma'am." Richard offered a brief bow. "I thank you for agreeing to meet with me today."

"Of course, Mr. Bell. You are here to discuss hiring a governess for your daughters?" Mrs. Hatton replied, indicating Richard should precede her into her office and dismissing the would-be butler with a nod.

"Indeed. I have not been able to find anyone suitable," Richard admitted, feeling again the pressure of securing his daughters' futures.

In her office, Mrs. Hatton indicated he should sit in a plain wooden chair before taking her own seat behind a similarly unadorned desk. Richard observed the neat stacks of papers, the books arranged on shelves behind her - all works on child-rearing and teaching practices. It seemed the matron valued education herself, and wished to pass that on to the children in her care.

"Forgive me for being direct, Mr. Bell, but have you attempted to hire a governess through an employment agency?" Mrs. Hatton asked carefully, as if weighing how desperate Richard might be.

"I have, yes," Richard replied, frustration seeping into his tone. "There have been… difficulties."

"Difficulties?" Mrs. Hatton raised one eyebrow.

Richard tugged at a loose thread on his shirt cuff, feeling the weight of Mrs. Hatton's gaze upon him. She was studying him closely, he realised, trying to work out what kind of man he was.

"Mr. Bell," she pressed after a moment, "you said you had experienced difficulties hiring a governess through more traditional means. What precisely are these problems?"

"Allow me to suggest two candidates. Both are presently available and searching for a longer-term position, and I believe either would be suitable for the position." She opened a small leather-bound book and leafed throu

Richard sighed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his situation. He looked at her and said, "Ma'am, I've hired several governesses before, but they all left once they found out about my daughters' unusual backgrounds."

"Unusual backgrounds?" Mrs. Hatton asked, looking concerned.

"Yes," Richard replied, his voice heavy. "My daughters aren't my biological children. One is my late sister's illegitimate child, another is my half-sister from my father's affair, and the last one was abandoned at our local church. My mother took her in, but she passed away a year ago, and my father died soon after. The three girls were left in my care."

He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "These facts have been too much for previous governesses, and they all left, not wanting to work in a house with such a history."

Mrs. Hatton's eyes softened, but she kept her expression neutral. "I understand," she said, nodding.

Richard looked down at his hands, feeling the sting of repeated rejections. He wondered if he would ever find someone who could see past his daughters' backgrounds and appreciate them for who they were.

"Mr. Bell," Mrs. Hatton's voice brought him back to the present, now filled with determination. "I believe I can help you find a governess who is not only qualified but also compassionate and understanding of your daughters' situation."

"Really?" Richard asked, feeling a glimmer of hope.

"Yes." She smiled gently. "It's my job to make sure the children in my care are placed in homes where they will be loved and respected, no matter their past. And it seems your daughters need just such a home."

Feeling hopeful, Richard sat up straighter. Maybe he would finally find the kind-hearted governess his girls needed. He looked into Mrs. Hatton's eyes and felt reassured by her confidence.

"Mrs. Hatton," he began, his voice full of gratitude, "your willingness to help means more to me than I can say. I just want my girls to have the best start in life."

"I understand, Mr. Bell," she replied, her gaze never wavering, and he realized she knew all too well the struggles faced by young girls left to fend for themselves. After all, she had an entire orphanage full of them.

"Allow me to suggest two candidates. Both are presently available and searching for a longer-term position, and I believe either would be suitable for the position." She opened a small leather-bound book and leafed through a few pages before looking up at Richard again.

"Miss Helen Milnes and Miss Josephine Pashley. Both young ladies are well-educated, with excellent references from previous positions. They have each displayed great kindness and understanding toward the other children here at the orphanage."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hatton," Richard said, hope welling in his chest. Perhaps one of these women would prove to be the governess he had been searching for.

"Of course, it is important that you meet with them and determine for yourself if they are a good fit for your family," Mrs. Hatton continued. "I will arrange for interviews at your earliest convenience."

"Mrs. Hatton, might I request that my daughters meet the candidates as well? Their input is important to me," Richard said earnestly.

"Of course, Mr. Bell. The children's opinions should be considered in such matters," Mrs. Hatton replied with a nod of agreement, and something like approval in her steady gaze.

"Thank you. I could bring them in tomorrow morning at ten, if that would suit?"

"We are at your convenience. I will ensure both girls are available to meet you and your daughters. Now, let me walk you out."

Richard felt a surge of hopeful relief as Mrs. Hatton escorted him through the halls of the Duke Street orphanage and out of the back door to the mews where his horse awaited. The sun cast dappled shadows on the worn cobblestones beneath their feet as they crossed the alley, and the echoes of children's laughter drifted through the air.

The soft autumn light danced through the mews, casting gentle shadows across the stable floor. Richard followed Mrs. Hatton out to find his horse and was struck by the sight before him. A young woman with mousy brown hair was tenderly stroking the animal's nose, humming a sweet tune under her breath. His horse, a magnificent bay mare, responded with contented nuzzles against the girl's plump cheek.

"Theresa!" Mrs. Hatton's voice cut through the tranquil scene like a knife. "What are you doing in here?"

The girl, Theresa, started at the sudden intrusion, her face flushing a deep shade of crimson as she hastily backed away from the horse. She stammered an apology, her eyes downcast. "I... I was just... visiting the horses, ma'am."

"Visiting the horses?" Mrs. Hatton repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You ought to know better than to loiter about when there is work to be done. Off you go."

"Y-yes, ma'am." Theresa's voice wavered, her embarrassment evident.

"Please, Mrs. Hatton, it's quite all right. It seems my mare has taken quite a liking to the young lady." Richard was actually impressed. His mare, Ballerina, was not generally inclined to be friendly to strangers, yet Theresa had been handling her easily.

Theresa cast him one quick glance and a tiny smile before she curtsied awkwardly and scurried away.

Richard watched her go, feeling a curious mixture of pity and admiration stir within him. He could see the genuine love for horses shining in Theresa's eyes, even as they brimmed with unshed tears.

As the stable door swung shut behind Theresa, Richard looked at Mrs. Hatton with interest. "I noted that she has some acquaintance with my horse."

"Yes." Mrs. Hatton's expression softened momentarily. "Theresa is quite good with animals, and horses most of all. It is quite remarkable."

"Indeed," Richard said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "That could be very useful to me at Belle Haven, my seat in Hampshire. I breed cavalry horses for the Army there—a business my father started and was successful with, which I now run."

"Is that so?" Mrs. Hatton remarked, clearly impressed by this revelation.

Richard smiled, his thoughts drifting to the rolling hills of Belle Haven, where his three adopted daughters spent their days exploring the idyllic countryside and learning about the family business. He imagined Theresa joining them, her gentle manner and innate understanding of the animals helping to forge a bond between her and the girls – one that went beyond mere duty or obligation.

"Mrs. Hatton," he said, "Theresa's name was not among those you suggested for the governess position. May I ask why?"

The matron pursed her lips, pausing to consider her words carefully before she spoke. "Mr. Bell, while it is true that Theresa has a good heart and a keen mind, she is only nineteen years of age. Here at the orphanage, we do not send our young ladies to permanent placements until they have reached at least twenty years and have completed some day work in London to gain experience."

"Understood," Richard murmured, staring back at the stable doors through which Theresa had disappeared. He thought of her brown hair and rosy cheeks, her guileless conversation with his horse. It struck him that Theresa, with her honest nature and unfeigned love of horses, might be the perfect fit for his unconventional family.

"Mrs. Hatton," he said firmly, "I understand your concerns about Theresa's youth and inexperience. However, I see qualities in her that would be a great asset to my daughters and to the entire household at Belle Haven."

"Mr. Bell, I appreciate your confidence in Theresa," Mrs. Hatton replied, her stern expression softening slightly. "But we have rules for a reason. It is important for these young women to gain some experience and maturity before undertaking significant responsibilities."

"Indeed," Richard conceded, nodding thoughtfully. "And yet, I cannot help but feel that Theresa's affinity for horses – a passion we share at Belle Haven – might offer her unique insights and opportunities to connect with my daughters."

"I understand, Mr. Bell," Mrs. Hatton acknowledged. "Nonetheless, I must remind you that the role of a governess requires more than a love for horses."

"Of course, Mrs. Hatton," Richard replied gravely, though his expression suggested he was unlikely to be dissuaded. "But can I then also not discount the possibility that Theresa, young as she is, may well possess all the traits required of a governess? There are many lessons to be learned outside of a schoolroom, after all, and sometimes the best teachers come from unexpected places. Would you allow Theresa to meet my daughters along with the other candidates?"

Mrs. Hatton's eyebrows shot upward in surprise; plainly she had never expected such a request. Her lips pressed together as she considered the ramifications of what he was asking. Richard could see she was torn between her desire to protect Theresa from possible disappointment, and her determination to do as he asked if she could.

"Mr. Bell," she began, her tone cautious yet not unkind, "I appreciate your willingness to consider an unconventional candidate, but I must remind you that our policies exist for a reason. Allowing Theresa to be interviewed alongside more experienced governesses may very well set her up for failure."

"Mrs. Hatton, I understand your concerns," Richard replied earnestly. "But I have faith in Theresa's abilities, and I would like to give her the opportunity to prove herself. My daughters deserve someone who can truly connect with them on a personal level, and Theresa's love for horses—her genuine passion for life—may be just what they need."

The matron hesitated, visibly torn between her loyalty to the orphanage's rules and her desire to do right by the girls under her care. At last, her stern features softened ever so slightly, and she gave a reluctant nod. "Very well, Mr. Bell. I will make an exception for Theresa. But I trust that you will handle this situation with the utmost care and sensitivity."

"Of course, Mrs. Hatton," Richard promised, his heart swelling with gratitude and hope. "Thank you for allowing Theresa this opportunity."

As he left the Duke Street orphanage, Richard couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect of introducing Theresa to his daughters. Something told him that it was worth taking the risk.