The Governess

Chapter 1 -- Cinnamon

The Governess

By Ellise C. Weaver

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Chapter 1

Cinnamon

Just yesterday, Miss Carly Blakemore had arrived at Huntington Manor, and already she hated it. Why must I have chosen this post above all others! Because there had been no other governess postings, she reminded herself. Humph! She paced around her room in an effort to calm herself. "He is intolerable!" Pacing didn't seem to be working.

Her situation was pitiable, yet so many like her found themselves in this same situation. Like her sister.

Carly sat on the settee and contemplated her sister's governess position. Was she as miserable as herself? Dear Father! Please, no! Please, bless Susannah to be happy. Please, bless her to have a wonderful situation. Mine is only wretched because I work for a... Carly didn't dare finish her thoughts. Instead, she continued her prayers in earnest.

Only her second day, she considered how insufferable her time here at this manor might become. Oh! I must pray more! Her latest battle had become sore from the knowledge that her new master only wished to study her over these next few days in order to obtain a feel for her; in other words, she might not keep her position.

"He is going about this all wrong! Doesn't he know better?" she stomped her foot. Why did he have to watch her as if she was some laboratory experiment? Couldn't he see that she was a good person? That she would teach his children well? She felt wretched. How could she function in such a household? Would she even be given the chance to try?

"This is maddening!" To think she could still be sent from here was too much. There was no other place for her to go. How could she endure this constant worry?

Carly knelt and prayed for what seemed like hours. She must not give up hope in all that she had overcome. She must believe in the answers to prayer that she had already received.

Standing, she began to undress. Carefully putting things away, she then put on her nightgown. Sitting at her dressing table, she began to brush through her dark hair rather harshly. What am I to do if he is not pleased with me? More such thoughts danced about her head. How would she ever sleep?

Knowing that rest would fail her while still so distraught this deep into the night, she chose instead to look for a book in the library. Intent upon her new mission, Carly put on her robe and slippers, lit a candle, and quietly made her way down the shadowy hall to the stairs.

This house would take some getting used to, for it was enormous. The grand scale of it must be why many fireplaces were still lit here and there to keep the large spaces filled with warmth. It must be a challenge. She would be careful, for, obviously, someone could be watching them. Finally-and yet unseen-she found the library and discovered it was an exceptionally great room with shelves upon shelves of books, just as she had imagined. She smiled giddily. This room would become a favorite; if only she was allowed to stay. Carly frowned. She would ignore such thoughts. Instead, she enjoyed looking about the many magnificent shelves. It was obvious that generations of devoted readers had lived at Huntington Manor.

A large fire still burned in this room, as well, enough to warm the immense room nicely. How thoughtful of the servants, she smiled. Such a well-run manor house. With such a forbidding master, how could it not be? She smiled in the darkness, her heart becoming lighter. Carly could smell the many books and something else. Was it cinnamon? As she walked quickly over to the fireplace she reached awkwardly to set her candle upon the tall mantelpiece. Welcoming the instant heat, she warmed herself by the fire glad to have it since her lacy robe had done nothing to warm her on this cool night.