CHAPTER EIGHT
It was a couple of days already since the wedding that ushered Jane into the Grove family. She had come to understand within this period that truly Margaret and Louisa were a force to be reckoned with like the dowager had said. They obviously still had a lot to learn and a lot to unlearn and her husband was counting on her to get the job done as though she was a governess.
However, Jane was certain that this life- being a duchess - was so much better than getting married to the Marquess of Pennington, the greedy Graham Lewis. She considered this a narrow escape and a part of her was grateful she accepted Colin’s proposal.
Prudence had told her that she was looking forward to watching her make a family out of them all and Jane was willing to try despite the frustrations of dealing with the two little girls.
Louisa didn’t have much of a problem; she was in fact an introvert who seemed to be very comfortable in her own space. Margaret, on the other hand, was the brain behind any misdeeds done by the two of them, she was the mischievous one; the real trouble, leading her sister into doing things she might not necessarily be interested in if it were up to her.
Jane appreciated the irony given that in the history of sibling drama, the younger one was often the hotheaded one while the older usually was the more reserved one. The case was different with these girls.
Somehow, Margaret reminded Jane a lot about herself owing to the fact that they were quite stubborn, rebellious and bold. Louisa was much like Sarah and watching the two girls interact was like watching a version of her and her sister when they weretheirage.
Jane truly wanted to make this work on account of her desire to get closer to the kids, to be a part of the family, and to make Prudence proud. Taming the girls would subsequently build the bond between her and her husband.
Colin was a strict and cold individual, but she never saw his attitude as a threat. All the same, Jane was still a woman, a newly-wedded wife who wouldn’t mind being treated right instead of being kept at a distance.
What a funny way of proving your love, my lord.
She was sarcastic in her thoughts as his words resounded in head.
‘I am your duke and your husband…’
‘Take my wife to her room and do well to explain her duties to her…’
She scoffed, staring out her window, thinking it rather ironic he couldn’t see he also needed someone to explain the duties of a husband to him.
Jane was bored and had been indoors all day; she needed to meet the kids and give it yet another shot with them. It was heartbreaking knowing she would always have to prepare for battle whenever the kids were involved.
With a decisive spirit, she sprang to her feet and left the room, shutting it behind her. From where she stood, she could hear the governess’s voice echoing through the hallways as she called on the girls.
“Margaret! Louisa!”
Jane's heart skipped a beat on hearing their names but this was her chance, moreover, she was looking for an opportunity to be with them today, anyway.
A plump woman in her early fifties clad in a woolen high-neck green dress rounded a corner, the heels of her boots, clickingagainst the polished floors, her fairly plain ankle-length skirt, flailing as she approached.
As soon as she saw Jane standing by her door, she immediately stopped in her tracks and dropped into a deep curtsy, lowering her eyes respectfully.
“Your Grace,” she called softly, her voice laced with surprise and alarm. “Please pardon my sudden appearance, I didn’t mean to crowd your space- I was only looking for the girls…”
“It’s all right, Mrs. Caldwell,” Jane said with a warm voice to help the governess feel at ease.
She was still getting used to all these formalities and she wished she could just make them all see her as simply as she saw herself but this was the downside of the position that she occupied.
“What happened? Where are the girls?” she inquired.
Mrs. Caldwell was quiet for a moment, probably rehearsing her replies in her head.
“Feel free around me, Mrs. Caldwell, I don’t bite.” She beamed yet another dose of smile at her.
It would take a while for the woman to adjust but for now, she still felt like it wasn’t her place.
“Tell me; what happened?” Jane reiterated.
“I'm at my wits' end, Your Grace,” she fretted, clearly pained and frustrated. “They simply refuse to cooperate, no matter what I try.” She paused, her aura reflecting her desire to say something— make a request maybe.
Jane smiled at her, making the atmosphere much more conducive so she would feel free to make her request.
