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“I think that would be a splendid idea, but what about his lordship? He decreed that the girls must be kept busy from dawn to dusk so they would not dwell upon their mother’s death.”
“I will speak with him, never fear, but it is high time the children had some gaiety back in their lives.”
“Oh, my lady, I could not agree with you more!”
Holly was pleased. “Good. Well, I cannot be with them all the time so I propose that you teach them some carols and perhaps one particular one they like which they could sing for our guests on Christmas Eve.”
Miss Evesham clapped enthusiastically.
“I have been teaching Libby the pianoforte, she could also learn to play the carol.”
“That would be lovely, and if she feels overwhelmed, then I, too, will play in her stead, as her standby.”
The two young women smiled at one another. Holly was pleased to find herself in tune with the governess.
“We have a puppet theatre for hand puppets, perhaps a play as well?”
“Why, yes, that is a very good idea. What about putting on a nativity play? The girls can sew their own puppet characters. My maid, Matilda, can help them with that, she is a wonderful seamstress,” Holly suggested. “I also want to introduce a Christmas tree so they can make things to decorate that as well,” she added.
“I saw a picture of the royal family gathered about a fir tree in a magazine a couple of years back, but I have never actually seen one,” Miss Evesham gushed excitedly.
“Have the children not had one before?” Holly asked.
“Not as far as I know,” Miss Evesham answered. “Might I incorporate some teaching around the nativity story? I was thinking about the gifts the wise men brought to baby Jesus and the reasons behind the gifts, where they came from, and the distances they had travelled. Oh, the possibilities for learning are endless.”
Holly was impressed by the governess’s passion for educating.
“Of course, just so long as it is fun for the girls,” she reiterated.
“Libby soaks up knowledge like a sponge. She is always asking questions,” Miss Evesham replied.
“Tell me, do you know the substance of her nightmares?” Holly asked.
“They are dreadful for the child.” The governess lowered her voice. “She dreams that her mother wakes inside her coffin and is screaming to be let out,” she confided.
Holly sucked in a horrified breath.
“Oh my, poor Libby, that is horrible. Does her father know of this?” Immediately the question left her lips, Holly knew she should not have enquired. She was the mistress of this house, and one did not ask a servant such a thing.
“I am not certain that he is aware, no,” Miss Evesham said seriously, thus endearing herself even more to Holly and giving her the confidence to query the governess’s age.
“I will be twenty-three next year, milady,” she replied.
Holly placed her hand on the young woman’s arm.
“I am so glad the girls have you, and hopefully, in time, my own children will come under your guidance, too.”
Miss Evesham blushed. “I shall do my best to fulfil your trust in me, Lady Caulderbury,” she said, sinking into a curtsy.
“Thank you, and you must feel free to come to me whenever there is something that concerns you regarding the children,” Holly impressed. “Do you eat with the family? I should think it is nearing luncheon.”
“No, I like to eat with the girls in the nursery. Nanny is wonderful, but she does tend to baby them so; I should like to continue eating with them if it pleases you?” Miss Evesham replied.
“Of course, but do let me know if you wish to join us downstairs at any time. I think it would be a good idea to introduce a family meal once a week to the girls. Perhaps you and they could join us on a Sunday after church, and on our return, we can repair to the drawing room and play a game or two before we eat together,” Holly suggested.
“That sounds an admirable plan, thank you, milady.” Miss Evesham was positively beaming.
Holly took her leave and headed into the nursery where she found the girls seated about a table waiting for their luncheon to arrive. She asked Nanny to sort out the girls’ wardrobe during the afternoon and assured them all she would return later on to assist. As she walked away, her gaze fell on a rectangular patch of light wallpaper where a large picture had obviously been recently removed. Doing an about turn, Holly went back and asked Nanny what had hung there. She was shaken to hear that Gregory had a painting of the family removed into storage after his wife’s death. She was flabbergasted. How could he be so cruel?
