But don’t listen to that rubbish advice. I think you’ll find that it is my heart that usually controls my mouth. Fortunately, it’s my brain that is writing this.
You changed my life and saved my soul, Meredith. On top of that, you built the bridge that brought Cecilia back to me. I’m sorry that I can’t help you in your search for whatever it is that you’re looking for. I can only offer my support and love.
I’ll wait for you every day.
Yours truly,
Anthony
She hugged the letter tightly to her chest and thought back to the first time she had read it.
Sitting across from Lord Farellshire in the coach, Meredith had done her best to stop sniffling. She wanted to blow her nose, but was too shy to do so with Lord Farellshire right in front of her.
“There, there, Miss Meyer. I’m sure we’ll both be back before we know it!”
She had only managed a weak smile for she was too emotional to say anything. She fixed her attention on the scenery outside the window. The world suddenly felt much, much bigger.
At length, they arrived at the orphanage, where Meredith was going to stay until she could find her next job. Ma’am Tabitha and Joyce came out to help her with her bags, but Lord Farellshire insisted on taking care of everything himself.
Meredith had to elbow Joyce and admonish her to stop staring and to close her gaping mouth.
“He’s even better looking than you said he was,” she had whispered to Meredith, not once, not twice, but at least four times as they watched Lord Farellshire politely greet the children.
Before he climbed back onto the coach, he pulled out a purse and handed it to Meredith. “Anthony instructed me to make sure that you were safe at home before giving you this.”
Meredith took the purse and began undoing its strings, “What is it?”
“Why, it’s your wages, of course! You didn’t think Anthony would send you off without proper compensation, did you?”
Bewildered, Meredith replied, “But he already gave me my wages yesterday.”
“No, no, that was just his personal gift to you.Theseare your wages for your duties as Lady Cecilia’s governess.”
Meredith peered into the purse and exclaimed, “What?! But surely these are a year’s worth of wages. I haven’t been with Lady Cecilia for a year.”
Lord Farellshire smiled, “Yes, Anthony anticipated you would say something like that. And so, he has prepared a statement of accounts or reasons for how he calculated the final sum.”
“Firstly, he has measured the impact that you have had on Lady Cecilia. He has noted that Lady Cecilia has transformed completely, almost as though you had spent an entire year helping her. Not to mention, your positive influence on her will be felt for many years to come.”
Lord Farellshire inhaled sharply before continuing. Meredith enjoyed seeing him take this quite seriously.
“Secondly,” he boomed, “Anthony also measured the hard work and effort you exerted towards improving your lessons and overcoming challenges.”
“And as you well know, you were confronted with some massive challenges, indeed, challenges worth a year’s compensation at the very least.”
Meredith shook her head.
Well, he certainly has a point there. I would certainly consider being tied to a chair and being held hostage deserving of some extra compensation.
Lord Farellshire cleared his throat.
“And finally, and this is the most important reason of all. In fact, it’s so important that I think I shall quote his words verbatim.”
“Thirdly, he said, ‘I’m the Duke of Sherriden. I can pay whatever wages I want.’ Those were his words exactly. So if you’re still thinking of returning any portion of the money, Miss Meyer, I would strongly advise you against doing so.”
Meredith was tempted to swat his smug smile clean off of his face. But instead she settled for thanking him and wishing him goodbye.
“Take care of yourself, Miss Meyer. If you end up staying here for a bit longer, I might drop by every few weeks or so.”
