The Governess of Highland Hall (12 page)

The memory of Ann and Peter together in the courtyard rose into Julia’s mind. She hadn’t said anything to Ann at the time, and she regretted that now. Perhaps she could’ve prevented this scolding if she’d spoken up. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Emmitt. I’ll speak to her right away.”

“I hope so.” The housekeeper scowled at Julia as though she were the one caught in the stable. “As nursery maid, she is under your supervision. You must see that she obeys the rules. If I catch her with him again, I’ll send her away with no reference.”

“I understand.”

“Make sure that Ann does as well.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Mrs. Emmitt pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her glowing cheeks. “Such behavior will not be tolerated. Not at Highland.” She nodded to Julia. “You may go.”

Julia walked to the door, then looked back. “Thank you for not dismissing her. I know she values her job.”

“Then it had better not happen again. I will not be so lenient next time.”

“Yes ma’am.” Julia hurried up the backstairs, her mind churning. She could not allow Ann to lose her position over this foolish lapse of judgment. In the last few weeks, they had grown closer, and Ann had told Julia about the struggles she’d faced at home on the farm. Julia was determined to watch out for her friend.

She must find Ann and help her calm down, then make sure she knew how important it was to follow Mrs. Emmitt’s rules. She checked the nursery and found Andrew sitting at the table drawing and Millie resting in the chair with her doll on her lap. “Has Ann come in?”

Andrew looked up, a slight frown on his face. “Yes, but she left right away.”

Millie clutched her doll to her chest, her eyes wide. “She was crying. What happened?”

Julia crossed to Millie’s chair and gently laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “It’s nothing for you to worry about, dear. I’ll find her.” She sent Andrew a pointed look. “Please stay here and play quietly. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He gave a slight nod and returned his attention to his drawing. For once both children seemed to sense the need to obey her instructions, so she left them and set off in search of Ann. A few seconds later she knocked on Ann’s bedroom door, then opened it without waiting for her reply.

Ann stood by her bed shoving clothing into her small carpetbag.

Julia gripped the doorknob. “Ann, what are you doing?”

“She’s going to sack me. I know it. I might as well pack my bag and be off.”

“No, she’s not going to dismiss you.”

“But she said she will if I so much as look at Peter Gates again. And I can’t promise that. I won’t!”

“Mrs. Emmitt doesn’t allow staff to seek each other out or spend time alone. You know that.”

“But I like Peter—very much. And he likes me. It’s not fair that we’re not allowed to be together.”

“I know you’re upset, but please just sit down a moment.”

The girl pulled in a shuddering breath and slowly sank down on the bed. “All right.”

“I know you care for Peter—”

“Oh, I do, so much.”

“But you must think this through.”

“I have, night and day! I can’t stop thinking about Peter. He’s the most wonderful boy—”

Julia laid her hand on Ann’s arm. “What I mean is you must be very
certain before you make a choice.” How well she knew the consequences of not doing so.

“What choice? I have no choice!”

“Yes, you do. You have a good position here. And you told me you don’t want to go back home.”

“No, I don’t.” Ann looked down and fiddled with the hem of her apron. “Peter says I’m the kind of girl he hopes to marry someday.”

Julia tensed. “Are you sure he’s worthy of your affection?”

Ann looked up and shrugged slightly. “How am I to know when we’re only allowed a few stolen moments together?”

“The fact that he is talking to you about marriage when he hasn’t actually proposed does not speak well for him.”

“It does show he’s serious.”

“Perhaps. But coaxing you to meet him in the stable—when he knows it could cost you your job—makes me doubtful of his character.”

“But he says the sweetest things and makes me feel so special.”

“Sweet words are no replacement for a lifelong commitment. If he truly loves you, he should do what’s best for you, not just what makes him happy.”

Ann nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a hint of doubt. “Oh, Julia, what should I do?”

“Only you can answer that question.”

“But if it were you, what would you do?”

Julia thought for a moment, wanting to give her best advice. “I suppose I would pray and ask the Lord to guide me. And while I waited for His direction, I would obey Mrs. Emmitt’s rules and make every effort to do my job to the best of my ability. But above all else, I would guard my thoughts and hold on to my heart.”

Ann heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure I have the strength to do all that.”

The memory of her own broken engagement filled Julia’s mind and sent a shiver through her. “Giving your heart away before you are certain of a man’s character and commitment is dangerous. You must discern his true intentions, or you’ll pay a high price.”

William pushed aside the books and papers on his desk in the library. “Let’s spread out the map and take a look.” He had put off discussing his financial troubles with Gordon McTavish, Highland’s steward, as long as he could. He hated to spread the news among the staff, but it was time the steward knew that the future of Highland was uncertain.

“Very good, sir.” McTavish unfolded the map of the estate. “What was it you wanted to discuss?”

William scanned the map, then looked up and met McTavish’s gaze. “If I had to let some of it go, which portion do you think would bring the highest price?”

“I’m not sure that’s possible, sir. I don’t believe the estate can be broken up. At least that’s what Sir Randolph told me.”

“It wouldn’t be my first choice, but the government has placed a heavy tax on all inherited property. I must pay it on time or face some steep fines.”

“What I mean to say, sir, is that you may not have that choice. From what I understand, Sir Randolph’s grandfather set things up legally so the estate has to be passed down or sold intact.”

An unsettling wave traveled through William. “But surely there is some way to sell a portion of the land if we have no other option to raise the funds.”

McTavish rubbed his gray beard, looking doubtful. “Maybe your man of business could find some way around it, but I’m not sure it would be wise. You’d definitely see a drop in your income if you break up the estate.”

William huffed and scowled at the map. “What about this grazing land? Do you think we need all of it?” He pointed to the top left corner of the map.

“That could bring a high price, but it includes the estate’s water access.” McTavish shook his head. “You don’t want to let that go.”

William studied the map again. “What about this forested area? Do you think we could sell it, or is there a possibility of selling the timber?”

“It shelters your game, and we use that timber for making repairs to the cottages and outbuildings.”

“And this area?” William pointed to the lower right section.

“That’s your hay and grain fields, mostly barley and oats.”

William nodded. “And we need that to feed the animals.”

“Yes sir. We’ve had a decent crop this year, and I intend to sell the excess. I expect you’ll receive that income at the end of the month.”

William looked up. “How much will it be?”

McTavish stated the amount, and William’s hopes deflated. It would only provide a small portion of what was needed to pay the death duties.

“Can you think of any other way we could bring in more income, even temporarily?”

McTavish narrowed his eyes and studied the map. “I’m not sure what it would be, sir. I like to think we’re managing the property well and making the most with what we have.”

William’s shoulders sagged. “Yes, of course. I’m sure you are.”

“We try to do our best for you, sir. Our very best.”

William nodded. “Thank you, McTavish. I appreciate your work.” He folded the map and handed it back to his steward, and along with it went his hope that he would find an easy solution to his financial problems.

A sick feeling of dread filled him. If he ended up losing Highland and returning to the city, people would consider him a failure—the baronet who had squandered his family’s estate in less than a year.

What would he do? Who would help him carry this load?

Sarah walked into the library, intent on finding her missing copy of
Pride and Prejudice
. Perhaps she had left it behind last night when the family had gathered here after dinner.

William sat at his desk in the corner with ledgers and stacks of papers spread out around him. He turned toward her, a brooding frown creasing his forehead.

“I’m sorry to disturb you. I was just looking for my book.”

He sighed and shifted in his chair. “It’s all right. I’m glad for an interruption.”

“You don’t look very glad.” She approached his desk. “What is it, William? What’s wrong?”

He motioned toward the papers on his desk. “I never expected running the estate would be this difficult.”

She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully. Just give yourself time to learn what’s needed.”

“But that’s the problem. I only have until March—at the latest—to straighten out the financial situation and pay the death duties. And then there are the issues with the tenant farmers.”

“What issues?”

“McTavish says two of them are behind on their rent, one because of a health issue, and the other because of laziness or mismanagement. I must decide if we should extend the grace period or ask them to leave.”

“I see.”

“And Lawrence wants to hire a hall boy and add more kitchen staff, and then there are the repairs to the house and other buildings.”

“That is a lot to consider, but you did an excellent job managing our family business in London after father’s death. I’m sure you’ll do just as well with Highland.”

His worried expression remained unchanged. “If only I’d had more time with Cousin Randolph. Or if I could find someone who was skilled in land management to discuss these matters with me.”

Sarah bit her lip. Randolph’s death had been quite unexpected. He’d become ill following a hunting trip to Scotland and died a week later. His sudden passing had been a shock to his daughters as well as to William and Sarah. “I wish I could be of more help, but I know nothing about finances or running an estate.”

He reached for her hand, his frown easing. “Please don’t worry. The last thing I want to do is trouble you with all of this.”

Sarah sent him a tender smile. “I’ll pray you find someone to encourage you and help you sort things out.”

He rose and leaned closer to kiss her forehead. “You’re very kind. And I appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure who it would be.”

“I’m not sure either. But the Lord can provide what’s needed if we trust Him.”

William looked back at his desk, doubt shadowing his eyes again. “Yes, I suppose He can, though there is no guarantee He will.”

Sarah’s heart ached as she studied William’s troubled expression. The losses and sorrow her brother had suffered the last few years had challenged his faith. He continued to attend church, lead the family in prayer and Scripture reading each morning, and pray at meals, but she sensed he struggled to believe God truly cared and would intervene on his behalf.

Well, she would offer sincere prayers that God would meet her brother’s needs, and do so in a way that would help him believe again.