“Perhaps you might have better luck coaxing them out of their hiding spots?” she finally summoned the courage to ask and it sounded a lot like a humble suggestion.
“All right, I’ll help you find them,” Jane agreed without hesitation.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” She bowed slightly, appreciating the willingness of the duchess to partake in the search.
Jane and Mrs. Caldwell walked through the grand halls of the manor together calling out the girl’s names.
“Margaret, Louisa!”
Their voices echoed through the halls but they didn’t get any response, it seemed like they were playing hide and seek.
“Oh, these girls will be the death of me,” Mrs. Caldwell complained.
As they passed by a window, Jane caught a movement outside amidst the towering trees.
“Mrs. Caldwell,” she called her attention and the governess stopped in her tracks.
“I think we should expand our search to the woods,” she suggested. “I have a feeling that our young ladies are there.” A grin spread across her face.
Together, they left the building and headed to the woods. Jane could hear the whispers of the girls who had by now known of the presence of the adults.
She signaled Mrs. Caldwell to be silent as she tiptoed quietly, going for the tree behind which the kids were hiding.
They were still talking, whispering to themselves when suddenly, Jane jumped out of the blue, appearing before them with a scary gesture that made both girls scream, Louisa's voice being louder.
“Got you, didn't I?” Jane laughed, enjoying the fearful look on Louisa's face and the annoyance flickering in Margaret's eye.
“Yes. Yes, you did. Good one, Jane,” Louisa replied, chuckling at her ridiculousness.
“Well?” Jane shifted her gaze to Margaret who had her arms spread across her chest, looking defiant.
“Unlike my sister, I'm not easily impressed nor am I easily frightened,” she answered, her arrogance a little subtle.
“I beg to differ given that a few seconds ago you were screaming,” Jane said to her.
“I only screamed because Louisa screamed not that I was frightened,” she explained, exuding confidence.
“We have a lot in common, you and I,” Jane said to her. “Now, Mrs. Caldwell has searched high and low for two beauties and since I'm the one who found you, you're going to have to go with her and attend your lessons.”
“Are you punishing us?” Margaret asked with a frown.
Jane sighed and stepped closer to the girls. “Children are punished or reprimanded by adults not out of hatred, but out of love— so the children will understand their wrongs and avoid it next time.”
“You're justifying your actions,” Margaret said to her.
“Maybe.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But where’s that justification for what you did to Mrs. Caldwell?”
The girls were silent.
“Look, after the lessons, we'll have some fun time together, what do you think?”
Louisa's eyes lit up immediately.
“Really? You'd do that?”
“Of course. We can do whatever you want,” Jane replied, glad to see the excitement in the girl's expression.
“Why don't we just skip to the fun part?” Margaret suggested. “I don't want to do lessons,” she declared blatantly.
