Archie only inclined his head as a way of acknowledgment, a small smile on his lips. "Of course," he replied smoothly, "I hope all goes well."
The journey back upstairs seemed much faster than the journey down. As he traipsed through the halls, the sound of children's laughter filled the house. It gave him pause, a smile creeping across his face. Yes, Jenny and Samuel laughed all the time; but it had been a long time since he had heard such loud, genuine laughter. Unhindered and joyful.
When he opened the playroom door, he was met with the sight of Jenny nestled on Alicia's lap, clutching her favorite doll while grinning brightly. Samuel, splayed out across the floor on his back, was stacking up a dangerously high pile of wooden horses.
All three of them froze upon catching sight of James. Alicia was quick to scoop Jenny from her knee and set her aside. Perhaps he imagined it, but it looked as if Alicia's cheeks had flushed a brilliant pink, almost hidden beneath her dark freckles. "I'm sorry," she murmured softly, "we were just playing. I hope we weren't too loud?"
James felt himself soften as her wide green eyes fixed on him. Now that her blush had faded, she was ashy pale with fright. "It's perfectly all right," he answered, "I'm glad you're getting to know each other." It was the least he could do to ease her nerves, he supposed. "Now, I think that's enough for today. I'll send you a letter at the end of the week to let you know if you have the position or not-"
A little hand tugged at his sleeve, wide blue eyes turned to stare at him. "Please," Jenny murmured, "hire her now. I really like her!"
"Jenny, dear, there's a lot to consider-"
"The only other option is that horrid old woman," Jenny said with a wince, "but Miss Sempill is so nice. Please, James?"
Now Samuel was staring at him too, eyes enormous and pleading. It wasn't often that they really asked for things, at least not so desperately. It was becoming increasingly obvious just how much they wanted this. It had taken some convincing for them to agree to a governess in the first place. James had little space to complain.
"All right," he answered softly to which Jenny hugged him. "But only because Mrs. May was such a terrible candidate."
When he turned, somehow managing to pry Jenny away from him, Alicia was gazing at him with a hopeful expression on her slender face. She was so young for a governess, with no prior experience in teaching or childcare, but James still felt the bloom of warmth in his chest when he looked at her. "Miss Sempill," he said, "you have the job."
She looked fit to cheer, bright eyes sparkling in the light from the window. Hopping from foot to foot like a baby bird, she exclaimed, "Oh, thank you. You've no idea how much this means to me, my lord."
"Don't get too excited," he warned, "you haven't even started yet. You will start on Monday at eight o'clock, and I will go over what is required in detail."
She nodded, dark hair bouncing. "Of course. Thank you."
He looked her in the eyes then, his bright blue and hers, forest green. "And Miss Sempill? Please do arrive on time."
A scarlet blush overtook her delicate features, and she ducked her head in embarrassment. "Yes, my lord," she murmured, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm so sorry." Her flush darkened as she ducked into a quick curtsey, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Don't be," he replied, "you can make it up to me by working extra hard on your first day."
That, at least, earned him a nervous smile.
Chapter Five
"Do you really have to leave so soon?" Rachel complained. She sat surrounded by odds and ends from around Alicia's house, slowly picking through each one to decide what pile to put it into - the pile of things to take or leave.
Alicia didn't really own all that much. Her family had hardly been poor, at least before her parent's untimely death, but they had never been materialistic people. She supposed that she should have made it easier and yet she couldn't bear to throw away a single item. Now she was staring down at Mama's old jewelry box, made of silver and ornate amethysts, rolling it over in her palms. "You know I need this," she said softly, "I need the work and the money - and anyway, a governess almost always stays with the family."
"I'll miss you," Rachel grumbled. Full lips formed a childish pout as she collapsed back against the bed, a small oof leaving her. "It will be so dull without you."
"We'll still see each other," Alicia reminded. Lord Arvill's manor wasn't all that far, considering. The town they called home was hardly big, although it was no village either. Regardless, Alicia wouldn't be far away. Still, she couldn't ignore the anticipation rolling in her stomach, or the nerves.
"Is he at least paying you well?" Rachel asked with a huff. "Oh, and is he handsome? You know, I've never had the luck of meeting a marquess in person before."
Of course, Rachel always loved a handsome man, and Alicia had to admit that he had a certain charm. He was older than her, although only by a few years. There was something about his inky black hair and vibrant blue eyes that certainly had appeal."He's my employer, Rachel," she answered, "I can't be talking about him like that. You remember what happened last time?" Alicia began shoving dresses into the trunk with more force than needed, a scowl overtaking her.
"I remember," Rachel answered softly; when Alicia looked up, her expression had taken on a sympathetic look. "But that wasn't your fault, Alicia. You know that."
It didn't matter what was or wasn't her own fault; because at the end of the day she had been caught with her employer and quickly dismissed. She had only worked there for three months before being kicked out as if she were a stray dog that had accidentally wandered in. The fact that she hadn't actually wanted anything to do with the man was irrelevant. Men were good liars, and nobody was going to believe the poor little maid.
From laundry maid to governess, Alicia should have supposed that she was lucky to have such an opportunity. And she was, truly, but she couldn't help the thoughts that swirled in her mind. You'll fail, an inner voice teased, something will go wrong like it always does. Maybe Lord Arvill will take a liking to you too, and he won't take no for an answer. At least he doesn't have a wife to find out.
Shivering, Alicia snapped back to the task at hand, only to see that her hands had clenched so tightly that the fabric of her dress had crumpled and creased. Throwing it into the trunk alongside the others, she snapped the lid closed. "I can always come back if I need anything else," she announced, "It's not like I'm going to sell the house." If this job ended as poorly as the last, Alicia would need somewhere to return to. The thought made her stomach turn, but she shoved those thoughts aside. "What else will I need?" she asked instead.
Rachel shrugged, hoisting herself upright once again to glance around the room.
