The name of Lewis grated on my ears. It reminded me that the real me was hiding, and someday my old life would inevitably catch me. I tried to wave my worries away like one would a pesky gnat, but a knot was already forming in my middle. I was halfway through the year I had allotted for myself. In six more months, I would make myself return home.
Hopefully there would be no fiancé waiting for me by then.
“That boating lesson sounds thrilling,” I said quickly, suddenly desperate for distraction—even if that distraction included a body of water that I generally avoided religiously.
“Truly?” Augusta’s whole countenance lit up.
If I had learned one lesson from my previous governess position, it was that children needed creativity to spark their desire to learn. Augusta was not a child, but her attention often wandered like one. “Why not? We can have an oral spelling lesson as we soar across the pond.”
Augusta grimaced, pushing to her feet. “Don’t ruin a good thing, Miss Lewis.”
I certainly hoped boating was a good thing. I had my doubts. At least I knew it would interest my pupil, and that was half the battle.
Augusta took my arm and steered me to the servants’ door. I knew what she was doing. She was avoiding her mother and her inevitable disapproval. I agreed with the notion, for I was avoiding Lord Camden’s disapproval. Lady Camden had the louder bark, but I believed it was her son whose opinion ruled the household. It was clear by the way he had shrewdly taken my measure that he had taken a chance on me, and I did not want him to regret his choice. I wouldn’t waste my opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life before I was imprisoned in my own.
Directing me down a dirt path, Augusta led me toward a narrow boathouse, set back a distance from the pond. “I thought boathouses were generally adjacent to or on the water?”
“My grandfather did not want to mar our enviable view with any structures.”
“Ah, I see.” I had much to learn on the subject of boats and enviable views of water.
After unlatching the two large doors, we both pulled them wide open, letting sunshine fill the outside building. Inside were a few rowboats of various sizes. Augusta pointed to the smallest one: a red rowboat, barely large enough for two.
“This one is mine. I call herRuby. Isn’t she wonderful?”
Tilting my head, I studied thiswonderfulwater conveyance. At first glance, it appeared sturdy enough. I did a quick perusal for spiders before I was satisfied.
“Do we ask a servant to help us carry her to the water?” I asked.
Augusta looked at me like I was daft. “And alert Mama? No, thank you. We can manage well enough. Take one end, and I will take the other.”
I heaved my side up, which was not easy with my wide skirts. I was more careful with my clothes now that I had fewer to my name, and Ihad a feeling that this dress would not come out unscathed. “Did your other governesses agree to carry boats too?” I asked through my shallow breaths.
Augusta scoffed. “I generally dragRubyout myself.”
This heavy boat? I admired her determination through my shuffled steps. Augusta didn’t know it, but we had one very significant quality in common: We both tended to run away from our problems. I was not certain if this was going to bond us together or be our mutual demise.
“DoesRubyconsistently float?” I could not recall ever stepping onto a boat before, and I needed reassurance.
“Always.” Augusta wrinkled her nose like I was half mad.
She was not wrong about my madness. I had my first up-close view of the pond—or rather, lake—and swallowed hard. Agreeing to go out on the water was insane.
We set the boat down hard, and I stepped back to wipe my brow with a handkerchief I often hid up my wide sleeve. “Why don’t you paddle around while I watch.”
“And keep all the fun to myself?” Augusta shook her head. “You get in first, and I will push us out.” Augusta shovedRubypartly into the water and held her steady for me.
If I was at home, I would have come up with a dozen more excuses to avoid getting into the boat, but I was trying to show an air of authority and confidence to my pupil. I was an adult. A governess and companion. A woman taking charge of her own life.
I squared my shoulders in a show of fearlessness—like a brave sea captain leading out his crew. It couldn’t be too hard to paddle around in this contraption. I put a firm foot into the boat and stepped inside.
It wavered. I held my breath and counted to ten, refusing to cower. When it steadied, I lowered myself down into the seat with the speed of a cautious but gallant turtle.
Augusta was kind enough not to make a comment, but she did look at me strangely. “Hold the oars while I give it a push.”
I glanced around the small confines of the boat. “I don’t see any oars.”
“Under your skirts, silly.”
