Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The day had been perfect, but Edward had still been unable to find any pleasure in riding. It almost felt as if everything he had enjoyed just two months ago had somehow turned stale and unusable. Everything he had once treasured was now sinking under the weight of his emotions, which continued to rule him wherever he went.

He left his horse with the groom and made his way towards the mansion, walking inside. Just as he passed by the drawing room, he could hear voices from inside. He had not invited anyone, and no one was bound to come see him, especially after the way he had been cutting off from the ton since Margaret's demise.

He simply had no desire to meet with people.

"Who could it be?" he whispered to himself, taking slow, assured steps towards the drawing room, his gaze quickly falling on Mrs Bailey seated in front of a middle-aged woman. The middle-aged woman was dressed simply, but Edward had never seen her in the manor before. He moved a little closer, trying to listen in to the conversation going on between the two of them.

"Miss Phillips, your letter mentioned that you have held about five prior positions as a governess. Can you provide me with some details regarding them?" Mrs Bailey questioned.

Edward immediately understood. Mrs Bailey had informed him she would be conducting interviews to hire a nanny.

"Of course." the other woman nodded. "I have worked as a governess for several members of the ton and have been employed for more than five years at each position. I took care of young girls and helped them with their basic education as they grew up into young women and went to either finishing schools or joined society as debutantes."

"But you do realize that Miss Amy is just an infant, and you will be required as a nanny rather than a governess for the initial two years until she can finally begin learning something?"

"Yes, I realize that," Miss Phillips answered.

Edward did not know why he was listening to the conversation when it did not concern him at all, considering he had already told Mrs Bailey that he did not care at all about this whole thing. Despite that, a part of him wished to know who was being hired as Amy's nanny.

"So, how will you tackle such a position?" Mrs Bailey asked.

"I have taken care of young girls. I am sure caring for a child will not be any harder than that."

Miss Phillips sounded much too old, and Edward was unsure if she would be the perfect fit for the nanny position. He knew he had no say in the matter, but he always imagined Amy being cared for by someone young and lively who could fill in the role of the young mother and provide the affection Miss Phillips clearly lacked. She sounded like a stern, disciplined woman who might not understand a child's temperament.

Lost in his thoughts, Edward did not realize that the interview had already ended and continued to stand there until Mrs Bailey walked out of the drawing room, almost crashing into him, but she stopped herself at the right moment.

"My Lord?"

"Mrs Bailey." He nodded at her, trying to appear as if he had not been listening in, but he knew the attempt was futile.

"I was unaware that you had already returned from your riding. You are usually gone for hours."

"I did not wish to extend it today," he replied, glancing at Miss Phillips, who stood silently behind Mrs Bailey.

Edward had been right. She was much too old and too stern to be able to take care of a child. Despite not being invested in the process, he wanted Amy to have someone who could at least laugh and make her laugh as well. Not someone who would steal the joy out of the room. The manor was already dull and full of sorrow; he could not increase that curse.

"I was just conducting interviews for the nanny position for Miss Amy," Mrs Bailey explained, and Edward nodded.

"I understand," he replied, "I will be in my study."

"If you can wait one second, My Lord?" she called out just as he turned away, and Edward stopped, looking at her curiously. He had never shared a sour relationship with Mrs Bailey, having been with her since he was just a child. She had been the mansion's housekeeper for as long as he could remember, and he respected her immensely.

"Of course."

"Thank you so much for coming today, Miss Phillips," Mrs Bailey addressed her. "I will write to you once the decision has been made to inform you of whatever has been decided."

"Thank you," Miss Phillips nodded and walked away, leaving Edward alone with Mrs Bailey.

"My Lord, you are already aware I have been conducting interviews for Miss Amy. Would you prefer if I make a short list of candidates, and you might want to interview them as well?"

"Please do not concern yourself with such formalities, Mrs Bailey," Edward quickly said, "I have no interest in the decision, as I already informed you. You can go ahead and hire whoever fits the position best. The decision is entirely yours."

"Are you sure, My Lord? Because it will be no trouble at all if you are willing to go through it."

"No, I am not troubled about it in any capacity," he replied sternly, immediately regretting his words.

"Whatever your decision, My Lord," the housekeeper said, "I will inform you once the decision has been made."

"Perfect."

***

"You must be Miss Jennings, I assume?" Ophelia nodded at the older woman standing in front of her, dressed in a modest grey dress. She was certain that the woman must be the housekeeper, considering how she was dressed and her general demeanour.

"I am," Ophelia answered confidently, "and you are?"

"Mrs Bailey. I am the housekeeper," she answered, confirming Ophelia's judgement, "please come inside."

Both Ophelia and Mr Brown walked inside the manor, the grandeur reminding Ophelia of her own house, but she immediately shook her head to let go of such thoughts. She was here to embark on a new journey, and thoughts of the past would only slow her down and erode her confidence. She could not let that happen.

"Mr Brown, can you wait for me here?" Ophelia asked Mr Brown, motioning towards the sofas in the hall as Mrs Bailey ushered her towards the drawing room. Mr Brown nodded, smiling at her.

Ophelia was glad to have him beside her since his presence gave her much-needed confidence. She could not understand the reason behind her nervousness, but it was probably only because of her intense need for this job. She could not make a mistake at any cost. They entered the drawing room, and Ophelia waited for Mrs Bailey to sit before sitting right in front of her.

"Miss Jennings, you appear younger than I expected."

"I am older than I might look," she said with a smile, "and much wiser."

"I do not doubt that." The older woman smiled back. Ophelia could see she looked stern, but her expression still had affection and warmth, making her look kind. "Your letter mentioned that you have never worked as a nanny before. Have you held any other jobs?"

"Nothing of this magnitude," Ophelia answered honestly, not wanting to begin or achieve something on the basis of a lie, "I have been working since I was seventeen, but all of them were smaller jobs about town. However, I am educated and have a vast general knowledge, and I believe I will be quite well suited to being a nanny or even a governess."

"How do I believe you?"

"As my letter mentioned, I have grown up caring for my younger siblings. My brother is only three years old, and I have taken care of him since he was just an infant. I am rather adept at handling babies."

"Miss Amy is a very special child, but unlike most children, she is an orphan. Both her parents have passed away, and her uncle, The Earl of Sommers, is her guardian. Hence, she is staying here at the manor. She has not received nurturing love or motherly affection since the beginning. Do you believe you can take care of her?"

"She is very young, Mrs Bailey, and I know what it feels like to lose a parent, considering I have lost my father. I think I can take care of her better than anyone else."

Ophelia did not know where her confidence emerged from, but everything she said came directly from the heart. She believed she could take care of Amy, and she would prove herself no matter what it took.

"I admire your belief in yourself, Miss Jennings," Mrs Bailey replied, "I hope these are not just empty words."

"I am anything but a liar." Ophelia smiled.

"I assume you are not located in the vicinity. Will you be alright with being so far away from your family?"

"There is no harm in being away from one's family if it is because of work."

"You are very right, Miss Jennings." Mrs Bailey nodded. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"Can I meet her?"

"Who?" Mrs Bailey asked, confused.

"Amy, of course," Ophelia replied.

"Oh," Mrs Bailey genuinely looked surprised, "no one else I interviewed asked me to meet Miss Amy. If you want to meet her, you most certainly can. Please come along."

Ophelia silently followed Mrs Bailey as she led her up the stairs to where the nursery might be. Just as Ophelia had thought, they entered a delightfully decorated nursery, where a maid was seated with a baby in her arms, who continued to sob silently. Ophelia could see how distressed the maid looked.

"What is the matter, Martha?" Mrs Bailey asked the maid, who looked at them as they entered.

"She won't stop crying, no matter what I do," Martha replied.

Ophelia felt something tug in her heart as she saw the beautiful child wrapped tightly in sheets and walked ahead to take the baby from the maid's hands. The maid did not resist as Ophelia took her, quickly loosening the sheets from around Amy's chest and arms, giving her more room to breathe.

She softly put Amy on her shoulder, rubbing her back continuously as the sobbing ceased, and the little girl fell asleep within seconds. Ophelia carefully placed Amy back in her cradle, making sure she continued to sleep peacefully. Her heart was already invested in Amy, even though they had only met for a few minutes, but Ophelia felt as if she was meant to take care of this child. Something about her just felt familiar.

"We can go out now," Ophelia whispered, looking at Mrs Bailey, who was still staring at Amy in wonder as the two stepped out of the nursery.

"You were rather efficient," Mrs Bailey commented once they were outside.

"I do have a way with children."

"She will need a lot of attention and care, Miss Jennings, and immense commitment. As of now, Miss Amy has no stability in her life, and as her nanny, you will need to stick with her. She has not had proper care and has no routine or schedule, which might be challenging for you initially."

"I realize that." Ophelia nodded.

"Well, in that case, when can you begin?"

Ophelia did not know if she had heard her right, and her eyes widened in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You are hired." Mrs Bailey smiled. "When can you begin?"

"Truly?"

Mrs Bailey nodded.

"I can begin in a week," Ophelia replied, trying to control the squealing laughter threatening to emerge out of her. Just then, she felt a heavy pair of eyes on her, and she looked towards a partially open door from where a man had been staring. Her back had been turned; hence, she knew he had not been able to see her, but the moment she looked at him, he looked away and walked back inside, leaving Ophelia to wonder who it was.

Although, none of it mattered right then.

She had been hired.