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As though a fire had been set beneath her feet, Florence hurried through the house, doing her best to remain undetected. She watched for any servants who might be awake and crept around corners as stealthily but quickly as she could. When she paused in the downstairs hallway and didn’t hear a single stir inside the home, she made her way to the front door and glided out; closing it behind her with only a whisper.
It was not the first time she had tempted fate by sneaking out of the house in the middle of the night. When her father pushed her to her wits’ end, she would frequently sneak out for several hours before returning to her bed before morning. But this night was different for she didn’t plan on coming back.
Her heart raced while she crossed the driveway and found herself on the street. She kept her head down, only looking up to make sure of where she was going. Florence didn’t want a soul to know what she was up to, or to report her whereabouts to her father.
The streets of Hertford town were desolate during the late hours of the night, with only a cool breeze walking alongside her. Florence pulled her cloak closer for comfort and reminded herself that she would be just fine. It was unheard of for a lady such as herself to travel alone, especially so late at night. It was a risk, but a risk worth taking if she wanted to discover the life waiting for her.
Florence walked, silently encouraging herself. The scandal had her nerves jangling like piano wires; she had never imagined herself in such a position.
When Florence reached the late coach waiting outside the inn, she was questioned by the driver, who gave her a sideways glance. Fortunately, he had no idea who she or her father were. To entice him, she handed him the necessary coins and watched as his chilly demeanor shifted to a warmer one.
Still, he pressed. “Are you certain, miss? It is rather late for traveling. Could be dangerous where you’re headed.”
Florence added another coin to the small pile in his palm and nodded firmly. “I am. I hopethiswill convince you.”
The driver glanced between her and the compensation, and sighed. He finally motioned for her to climb in.
The moment Florence was in the coach, her heart raced a mile a minute. She felt both terrified and excited for what lay ahead. She made herself comfortable for the ride and looked out of the window once they started to move.
A contented smile carved its way on her lips while holding the written directions tightly in her gloved hand. She had made it this far without a hitch, and she recognized the small success as a good sign for what was to come.
Florence was beginning a new chapter of her life, and it was all of her choosing.
CHAPTERTWO
The coach rolled down a long stretch of road, leaving behind a cloud of dust that spread across a meadow of long, green grass. The wheels moved fairly smoothly over the road; it wasn’t as worn or bumpy as some of the previous ones they had taken. The brilliant sun had cast its rays across the countryside and awakened every bit of fauna and flora within its reach.
Florence peered out the window next to her and tried to catch a glimpse of the house that would surely come into view soon. The journey had been a long and strenuous one, and she was dying to stretch her legs. She couldn’t remember the last time she had traveled such a long distance.
Waving a delicate fan before her face, she sighed. Her thin, muslin dress offered some relief from the heat, yet each layer of fabric seemed to sit more heavily upon her with every passing minute. She hoped the countryside would give her more than enough opportunities to catch a favorable breeze.
The horses continued onward, their hooves in perfect tandem, creating a steady rhythm. Florence found herself getting lost in it. But she perked up the moment the coach turned into a long, winding lane. She felt a thrill in her heart as they passed between a massive pair of wrought iron gates and she saw carved on the giant stone piers the name of her destination.
At last, Florence was able to see her new home and place of employment. The house stood at the top of a hill and looked beautiful and imposing, even from a distance.It is sizeable, and surely large enough to make one feel disoriented by its many rooms and halls, she thought.
She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. So long as the interior of the place reflected the welcoming exterior, she assumed her stay would be nothing less than comfortable.Perhaps my leap of faith is truly a blessing in disguise!
The coach rolled to a stop the moment they arrived at the top of the hill, and Florence was kindly assisted down by the coachman, who also helped her with her valise. She stood for a moment, gazing around her at the marvelous scenery.
The house was grander than her father’s, with a garden that had surely hosted many social events and gatherings. The lawn was perfectly manicured, as were the flowerbeds, which burst with magnificent colors appealing to the eye. Florence could tell just by looking that her new employer, Lord Gray, the Earl of Ingleby, demanded perfection from his staff.
Florence swallowed hard at the realization despite her appreciation for order and strong sense of duty. She didn’t know much about the earl, and she only had her intuition to fall back on. While he had taken a chance on her, she felt she was doing the same in return.
The heavy front doors opened, and a small group of servants came outside, led by an older woman. It was quickly evident that she was the head maid and knew what needed to be done. She hurried over and smiled at Florence.
“Good day, miss. You are Florence Murray, our new governess, I presume?” the head maid asked kindly. She was a short, stocky woman with dark eyes that didn’t quite carry the same welcome as her smile.
Florence brightened at the title and bowed her head. “Indeed, I am. It is lovely to make your acquaintance.”
“Very well, then. I am Harriet, the head maid of this household. Please, allow us to take your belongings to your room.” Harriet motioned for the other servants to retrieve the valise, which she surrendered easily. “I will direct you to your sleeping quarters and introduce you to the other staff, as well as Lady Agnes, your pupil.”
Before Florence could respond, Harriet turned on her heel and set off into the house. She started after her without hesitation and quickened her steps to catch up with the surprisingly swift woman.
“That sounds wonderful. I look forward to meeting Lady Agnes. I do hope she takes well to my teachings,” she smiled.
“Lady Agnes is a bright young lady. She should give you no trouble at all,” Harriet replied without a second thought, which slightly helped ease her nerves.
If that was the case and Lady Agnes turned out to be a good, well-behaved student, then Florence knew she wouldn’t have any problem adjusting to her new life. She clung to the idea as she followed Harriet through the handsomely appointed home.
