Chapter 3

Three

R uth Selwyn sat on the edge of her bed in the servant quarters of Thruscross Manor, her heart beating dully in her chest. She’d known this day was coming for some time now, and yet she found herself wondering ridiculous things in these final moments: if I stay here and don’t appear above stairs, maybe nothing will change; maybe life will just march on happily and simply. It was a preposterous thought, and while Ruth had a natural mind towards dreaming, she had learned the hard way that fanciful thought had no place in the real world. Here, practical actions were what mattered.

She’d been employed as a governess at Thruscross Manor for three years now, caring for the youngest daughter at the manor, a plump little lass named Lisa who had grown up under Ruth’s tutelage to be passably prepared for finishing school. That was the difficulty, in fact. Ruth had finished the last round of studies with Lisa a full week ago now, and knew it would only be a matter of time before her employers called her up to dismiss her. No one needed a governess in finishing school.

She looked across the room at her reflection in the toilet. The distorted image she could see showed a small, slim girl with wide blue eyes and thick gold hair that she kept pinned back as sternly as she could manage to maintain an older, wiser appearance. She was dressed in a white muslin day dress, over which she wore a stiff brown shift buttoned at the bodice. It was a plain and dull thing to wear, but Ruth had learned early that governesses were expected to be plain and dull. She had almost been denied the position at Thruscross Manor when the master and mistress had seen her pretty features, but in the end, they’d surmised that her wit and learning were sufficient and had installed her on the premises.

She’d enjoyed the work — more than she’d expected, actually. Initially, she’d only entered the profession to avoid poverty and to escape the sad tragedy that had left her virtually penniless, but days with Lisa had been pleasant and rewarding. Ruth had enjoyed watching the little girl blossom into a tentative young woman.

I have been treated well here, she thought honestly. And I’m fearful if I find another place, I will not be so fortunate.

She had heard tales, even before she initially agreed to work at Thurcross, that governesses were treated badly. She’d heard that they didn’t fit in below stairs with the servants, and they had no real roll with the family upstairs. In truth, it was a lonely life, but not so dreadful as Ruth had expected. Lisa’s parents, Lord and Lady Engleton, were good people, and though they kept her out of sight more often than not, they were fair and kind and paid her wages on time.

Ruth stood, let out a little sigh, and walked upstairs, passing the kitchen and servants’ drawing room before taking the narrow steps upstairs to the Thurscross breakfasting room. The servants were already clearing the morning meal away, and Ruth passed quietly on through to the reading room beyond. Lisa was sitting quite properly, her embroidery on her lap. There had been many tears over that embroidery, Ruth remembered fondly. Lisa had hated the dull task at first, and it was only with Ruth’s continued efforts that she had been made at last to find some pleasure in the tedious task.

“Hello, Miss Selwyn,” Lisa chirped, looking up only briefly. Then she added, “Oh, Mama asked you to go into her sitting room when you’re able.”

So there it is. Ruth turned, walking towards the sitting room with all the gravity of a martyr approaching the stake. She couldn’t help smiling a little at herself, trying to cheer her heart by teasing. Come now, Ruth. It can’t be as bad as all that. I imagine Joan of Arc would have been most grateful to switch places with you and watch her career go up in flames rather than her person.

Lady Engleton was standing when Ruth entered, and turned with a warm smile.

“There you are, Miss Selwyn. I was looking for you earlier. Do you have a moment to talk?” She waved to a chair near at hand and, after Ruth had taken it, sat on the settee. “I have been meaning to speak with you all week, but had some business to attend to first. You know that our dear Lisa is quite prepared for finishing school after your dedicated efforts,” she paused and cast a benevolent smile in Ruth’s direction. Ruth’s mouth felt dry. Lady Engleton went on. “And I am convinced that only a year or two of finishing schools will be sufficient to prepare her for her very first Season. Unfortunately, this now leaves us with no need for a governess.”

“Yes, my Lady,” Ruth said quietly.

“We will have to let you go, though we will of course pay your wages through the end of the month as formerly agreed,” Lady Engleton beamed cheerfully.

Ruth tried to keep an accepting smile on her face, but in her heart she felt a stab of resentment. It is no great thing to her to send me away, she thought. She will continue in luxury, and it is I who will have to scramble to find food and board and a proper position in society.

She had no sooner had this thought, however, when Lady Engleton leaned forward and said kindly, “My dear, I can see there is deep concern in your face over this matter. You cannot think I would send you out into the world without a reference or prospects of a future position, can you?”

Ruth blinked, astonished. “I imagined a reference,” she began weakly, “but what do you mean about prospects?”

“I believe I’ve found another position for you,” Lady Engleton went on cheerfully, “although I would of course never think of committing you without making certain you were agreeable to it. I sent in a reference and have already heard back with an inquiry that expresses some interest in your employment. It seems the case is rather time sensitive.”

“Oh?” Ruth felt her heart warm instantly. I should not have thought the worst of her, she chided herself. She has thought so carefully of my welfare. “What is the situation?”

“I know it is a divergence from your proper role as governess,” Lady Engleton said carefully, “but I believe it will be a promotion of sorts. You see, there is a woman at March Manor who is looking for a lady’s companion.”

A lady’s companion was a very prestigious position for a governess to suddenly leap into, and this gave Ruth pause. “I am not trained as a lady’s companion,” she said slowly. “I have only ever had this position, and I have no connections aside from you.”

“Ordinarily that would be a mark against you, I cannot deny it,” Lady Engleton agreed. “But this inquiry makes it clear that the position must be filled at once, and your qualifications seem to have satisfied everyone involved. I know that nothing is for certain, but I am assured of the legitimacy of the position through their venerable butler, Mr. Tylor. He is well acquainted with my own butler, and I hear only the best of the staff under his employment. I think you might be happy there.”

“Who is the lady in question?” Ruth asked.

“Lady Cecelia. She is an older woman, and I know very little about her, but you have a gentle temperament and I suspect could befriend anyone you set your mind to know,” Lady Engleton reached forward and gently, uncharacteristically, tapped Ruth’s hand. “I know you are frightened of your future, dear,” she said. “But here a most providential opportunity has all but fallen in your lap. I will send a recommendation with you, and allow you to take our carriage for the journey — arriving in style will surely elevate you in the house’s estimation.”

Ruth smiled, a feeling of relief coming over her. She knew that nothing was certain, but everything seemed to indicate that this position would be an elevation from even her current pleasant situation. She could go in with a good reference and a willingness to learn, and she believed wholeheartedly that some good might come from the situation. To be a lady’s companion, without ever having trained as one, at such a young age… It was a good stroke of fortune, to be sure.

She turned to her employer with heartfelt thanks. “You are kind to me,” she said simply. “I know it is not usual for employers to be so thoughtful regarding the future of their staff once employment has been severed, and I want to thank you for thinking of me.”

“You proved yourself worthy with our dear Lisa,” Lady Engleton said kindly. “You brought her up quite nicely, when we had all but consigned her to the roll of wallflower. I fully expect your friendship and direction is what will ensure a fine Season for her in a year or so of time. It is the least we can do to ensure that your future is full of happiness as I’m sure hers will be.”

Ruth stood, giving a little curtsy. “With your permission,” she said, “I ought to go pack.”

Lady Engleton smiled. “I’ll have the carriage pulled ‘round before midday.”