Virtue of a Governess (3 page)

“Mother, Father,” she whispered. “Well, I am here, on the other side of the world. Who would have thought?” She ran her fingers tenderly over the frame. “It has been a long journey, but I am safe and well. You would have been most interested in all that I’ve seen, Father.” Her gaze shifted to look out the window at the endless blue sky and she imagined her parents looking down on her with pride.

The clamour of footsteps on the wooden stairs outside her door made Nicola rise from her knees. She began picking up her items when another knock sounded before the door opened again.

“My dear, Miss Douglas,” Mrs Eldersley hustled in, “let me introduce Miss Robinson.” She pushed in front of her a rosy-cheeked, sparkling-eyed, curly black-haired young woman, who was already laughing at Nicola.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Douglas,” the newcomer boomed loud enough to make Nicola take a step back in surprise.

“Likewise, er…Miss Robinson.” Nicola offered her hand and found it pumped up and down.

“Call me Meg. You just docked have you? Fresh meat and all that, hey?” Meg laughed and picked up Nicola’s sketchbook. “You draw? I just landed in from the bush out west. The countryside here is a God-awful place that is all dust and flies and nothing, miles and miles of nothing. Can you imagine? I couldn’t until I saw it for myself. And then there’s the threat of Bushrangers. A gang of them held up an inn only ten miles from where I was staying. Imagine that.” She put down the sketchbook and picked up a book. “How did you like the voyage? I’ve heard it’s a bothersome bore. I was born here, see, never been to good ole England.”

Nicola’s head swam as Meg didn’t pause for breath. She turned to Mrs Eldersley for help.

At once the older woman took the signal. “Come, come, Miss Robinson, I must show you your room.”

“Lord, yes, I’m near dying from thirst. I’m sure I have swallowed more grit than a camel in a dust storm.” Meg followed their landlady out, but at the door she quickly turned back to Nicola. “See you downstairs for high tea, Miss Douglas.” She put her gloved finger to her lips and gave Nicola a grim look. “What is your first name? I cannot call you Miss Douglas all the time, that would be too tiresome.”

“Nicola.”

Meg grinned and her rounded cheeks developed two identical dimples. “That’s a pretty name. It suits you.” She tossed her head and her black curls bounced. “My mother gave me a mouthful of a name and I will never forgive her. Margaret Helen Alice Mary Robinson, can you imagine?” Meg laughed. “She was most put out that at the age of five I insisted on plain Meg.” She sobered for a moment and looked thoughtful. “Mother spent the vast majority of her time and mine being put out over something I had done.” Suddenly the grin returned wider than before. “Still, parents must be disappointed in their children at one time or another, otherwise it spoils their old age, nothing to whine about see!”

Nicola closed the door on Meg’s laughter. Exhaustion dragged at her bones. She slipped her belongings off the bed and then laid down without taking her ankle boots off. A sigh escaped as she relaxed and snuggled further into the mattress. Images and people fluttered behind her closed eyelids. Meg’s laughter filtered through the walls. Nicola smiled. What on earth would happen to her next?

The wind gusted down the street chasing papers along the gutters. Nicola held onto her black hat with one hand and with her other struggled to hold her parcels. Unable to gather up her skirts, she staggered against the battering gale. Constant cold, windy days grew tedious. Mrs Eldersley mentioned that on this side of the world late August was known for its wind and gales. Privately, Nicola would be glad to see spring, which if she looked closely enough at the trees she could just see the hint of blossom opening.

Suddenly, she was bumped and jolted to the side as a gentleman exiting a shop knocked into her.

“Forgive me, please.” He made a small bow to her just as the wind took hold of his hat, sending it trundling off along the paved footpath.

Nicola turned to watch him chase after it and couldn’t help but chuckle at the spectacle. With a smile on her lips, she continued her journey back to the Eldersley’s Lodging House, which although only a few miles from Cordell’s Hotel, was in a much more influential area on the edge of Double Bay.

She hoped a letter waited for her on the small table in the hall. Since coming to Eldersley’s she’d had two interviews, but no appointment as yet. For a moment her smile faltered and then disappeared altogether to be replaced by a frown. If there wasn’t a governess role for her at present then she could manage for a few weeks more on the money she brought with her, as Mr Belfroy insisted she pay no rent until she had work, but after that she’d have to find alternative work. So far, she’d managed to sell three of her drawings, two to Mr Belfroy friends and one in Mr Price’s shop. Mr Belfroy suggested that she should send them to England to be sold, but she had no agent and knew no one well enough to trust with such a task.

Turning up the street, she squinted against the wind to see a gig outside the lodging house. Curiosity made her hurry. Maybe someone had come about the new advertisement she put in the paper two days ago.

She opened the gate and lightly ran up the path to the front door. The blustery gale helped her to open it and nearly wrenched it out of her hands as she stepped into the hallway. A vase of flowers positioned on the cedar hall table teetered dangerously at the sudden gust and Nicola steadied it before shutting the door and then placing her parcels beside the vase. A quick glance showed no envelopes with her name on them and her spirits plummeted.

Hearing voices in the front sitting room, she quickly unpinned her hat. Taking off her gloves, she then dropped them on top of her parcels and put a hand to her hair that was beyond help in its present tangled state.

The door to the sitting room was partially open and with a gentle push Nicola stepped into the room. She paused as Mrs Eldersley stood from the settee where she had been comforting a young woman, who cried into her crumpled handkerchief. Across from them in another chair sat a pale-faced older woman.

“Oh, Miss Douglas.” Mrs Eldersley looked relieved to have another to share her worry. “Do come in.”

“I do not wish to intrude…”

“No, you aren’t. We have two more guests.” Mrs Eldersley indicated to the older woman seated. “Miss Burstall and…” She quickly sat next to the younger one, who broke into fresh sobbing. “And this is Miss Downing.”

Nicola inclined her head to them both. “Is there anything I can do?”

Mrs Eldersley heaved to her feet once more, her face creasing into a frown. “Can you sit here a minute, dear? I’ll go and make some tea.”

Nicola perched by the weeping Miss Downing not knowing whether she should make conversation. One look at Miss Burstall’s hard features made her decide to remain silent for the moment.

Miss Downing raised her head from her soddened handkerchief. She was very young and pretty with wide blue eyes like a porcelain doll. Nicola smiled.

Wiping her reddened eyes, Miss Downing shuddered. “I am sorry.”

“There is no need to be.” Although she had no idea why the young woman cried so dreadfully. Nicola patted her hand and was surprised when the girl grasped hers tightly.

“I would never have left my home if I thought I’d end up like this.”

Nicola frowned. “Do not take it to heart, Miss Downing. Many of us are out of work, but I am sure that sooner or later we shall all find suitable situations.”

“I thought there were plenty of positions out here. I begged my father to let me come to this country, but it was such a mistake and now I can never go back.”

“How long have you been here?”

“Two years. I’ve hardly been able to find constant work as a governess, so I’ve worked as a children’s nurse, done some teaching, been a kitchen maid and even lowered myself to-to being a barmaid…” At this, Miss Burstall snorted and pulled her skirts away from them. Miss Downing broke into heart wrenching sobs that frightened Nicola. “And now…and now…”

“You will find a good situation I am certain.” She looked to Miss Burstall for help, but the other woman merely narrowed her eyes.

“You…I cannot…not now…Oh, I’m so ashamed.” The girl collapsed into Nicola’s arms just as Mrs Eldersley came in carrying the tea tray.

“Come, my dear, enough crying.” Mrs Eldersley placed the tray on an occasional table next to Miss Burstall. She crossed to fold Miss Downing into her ample bosom. “Shush now. Here, have some tea.”

Nicola rose and poured for them all. She glanced at Miss Burstall as she passed her a cup and saucer. The woman’s clothing, a black, plain dress made in serviceable cloth denoted her station in life. “Are you also waiting for a situation, Miss Burstall?”

The woman quickly looked up with cold brown eyes. “Naturally. Would I be here otherwise?” She declined the cup and stood. “Mrs Eldersley may I go up to my room?”

“Yes, of course. It’s the second door on the left at the top of the stairs. Shall I bring your tea up for you?”

“No, thank you.” Miss Burstall’s gaze flickered over the tea service as though it was caked in filth. Head held high, she left them without further comment.

Hiccupping, Miss Downing stared after her. “I am not one to speak ill of others, but she is such an unbending dragon.”

Nicola sipped her tea. “You know of her?”

“We came out together on the same boat through the Scheme. Since then we have seen each other at odd times.”

“The scheme for governesses, the FMCE Society?”

“Yes, led by Miss Rye. You did not come through them?”

“No. I journeyed out by myself, but I heard Miss Rye speak and her words encouraged me to come here.”

Miss Downing’s eyes widened. “Alone? That was brave of you.”

Nicola smiled. “Well, others would say different.”

Mrs Eldersley hurried to the window and twitched the lace curtains aside. “Here comes Meg.” She sighed. “Lord, I’m too old to cope with such upheaval.”

Nicola replaced her teacup on the tray. “Who owns the gig outside?”

“That’s the good doctor’s. He’s across the road looking in on old Mr Palmer. He brought Miss Downing and Miss Burstall here.” Mrs Eldersley let the curtain fall as noise from the hall announced Meg.

Miss Downing stood, swaying a little. “I had better go to my room, Mrs Eldersley. I’m not fit for company.” She hurriedly left the room and they heard Meg say good day to her in the hall.

Nicola turned to her landlady. “Is Miss Downing ill?”

With a tired sigh, Mrs Eldersley tidied the tea tray. “Only if you call being with child ill.”

“Oh my.”

“Indeed. Terrible luck, poor girl. Doctor Armitage is a good man and brought her here when he found her wandering the streets. He knows of Mr Belfroy’s generosity.”

“Wandering the streets?”

“Yes.” Mrs Eldersley paused as Meg strolled into the room.

“Oh, Nicola, you are back, good.” Meg beamed. “Did you get my book from the shop?”

Nicola scowled. “Indeed I did, but only after I paid your outstanding bill of one and six! I was mortified to be asked for money. You said I only had to collect it.”

Meg giggled. “Oh, I am sorry, you really shouldn’t have paid.”

Mrs Eldersley picked up the tray. “No, she shouldn’t. I’ll thank you, Miss Robinson, to not ruin my reputation by leaving accounts all around town.” She hustled out of the room.

Flopping onto the sofa, Meg unpinned her hat. “She didn’t leave me any tea.”

Nicola shook her head. “Really, Meg, you do stretch the boundaries of a short friendship.”

“Oh pooh.” Meg straightened. “Are you seriously cross with me?” She pouted. “You know I will pay you back soon.”

“With what? You have nothing left and now neither do I,” she lied. She wasn’t going to let Meg know about the dwindling money she had remaining.

Meg examined her nails. “I shall write to Aunt Eunice. It has been six months since my last hand out, surely she can spare a little more of her fortune.”

“Why does she not give you an allowance or allow you live with her?”

“Aunt Eunice hates Mother, Mother hates me, so Aunt Eunice feeds me little crumbs and delights in letting Mother know.”

Nicola walked to the window and watched the wind toss the tree branches. “Why does your mother dislike you?”

“Because she found me rolling in the hay with a groom, because I loved father and she didn’t, because I wasn’t a son. The list is endless.” Meg abruptly stood. “Who are the newcomers?”

“Two more out of work governesses. The doctor brought them.” She glanced at Meg. Rolling in the hay with a groom? She’d never met anyone as wild as Meg. Shaking the thought from her mind she caught sight of Dr Armitage climbing back into his gig. “Why did the doctor bring the women here? Is Mrs Eldersley known as a woman’s safe house or something?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Everyone who comes here seems out of work, short of money and down on their luck and female.”

Meg shrugged. “Mr Belfroy is the benefactor, as you know. He’s rich and supports the keeping of this house.” She frowned, giving Nicola one of her sly looks. “You do know about Mr Belfroy, don’t you?”

“Yes, that he lost his wife and child in childbirth.”

“She wasn’t of his class. Imagine that.”

“So?”

“He saved her. You see, she escaped from a husband who battered her black and blue and she ran off to live on the streets. Old Belfroy found her one day and gave her money for food, but her husband dragged her back home. A few months later, Belfroy found her again, beaten. He fell madly in love with her. He arranged to pay the husband off and managed to have her divorced through the courts. It was a long and expensive problem for him, but he wouldn’t give up until she was free, then he promptly married her. Caused a huge scandal amongst his circle.”