Miss Shaw and the Doctor by Fenella J. Miller

Author:Fenella J. Miller [Miller, Fenella J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Sarah had enjoyed her brief exchange with the doctor, she would treasure these meetings and hold them to her heart when she was obliged to leave The Rookery in a week or two. There was unlikely to be much contact with him when she was re-established at the children’s domicile. Although there would only be two girls to teach, she would have to use all her tact and expertise to keep them focused and prevent them from dwelling on their missing sisters.

She bid her companion goodnight and hurried upstairs before he could suggest she join him for tea in the drawing room. Mrs Moorcroft had been particularly kind to her this afternoon, had donated expensive beads and scraps of lace with which the girls were able to complete their picture. She must be aware of the situation between herself and the doctor. How strange she had not mentioned it.

The three girls were sleeping peacefully, Nancy and Jo were talking quietly in the schoolroom. Sarah went to join them there. ‘I am back now, I do not wish you to remain on duty any longer.’

Jo carefully folded the petticoat she was stitching and placed it in the mending bag. ‘If you have no objection, Miss Shaw, we should like to go downstairs to the Servants’ Hall. We could both do with a bit of banter, if you know what I mean.’

‘It’s exactly what you need. I have just spent a pleasant while in the garden talking to Doctor Moorcroft.’

She regretted her comment when she saw the girls exchange glances. She must stifle these rumours before they took hold below stairs, but to make mention of the matter might just add fuel to the flames. Better to ignore the significant looks, remain aloof from personal chitchat with the staff. Being a governess was an invidious position, neither servant nor a member of the family, but somewhere suspended between the two.

The girls curtsied politely and vanished through the door that led to the back stairs. Sarah checked the room was ready for the morning. She intended to keep the girls busy and turn their minds away from what would be taking place in the church just down the lane. Hopefully they would feel less distressed after the funeral. She was surprised Lady Fenwick had not called, the children needed their mother at a time like this. A governess, especially one they had only known for such a short time, was no substitute for a loving parent.

*

The days passed and no word came from Bentley Manor. Both Beth and Lorna were fully recovered from their illness; it could only be a matter of time before they would all have to return which would mean Isobel must depart for boarding school.

Sarah had taken to joining Mrs Moorcroft in the drawing room after supper leaving the two nursery maids in charge upstairs.

‘My dear, I don’t suppose that you’ve heard the latest on dit? Come and sit down, you look exhausted.’

‘I’m not sleeping too well, ma’am, I’m dreading the summons from the Manor.

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