Lord Preston's Secret Governess

Chapter 17: Are You a Fairy?

 
“Hmm… I think I’d rather come here to watch them when I want to. If Uncle allows it, of course.”

“I see.” The flowers Benjamin held emitted a sweet fragrance. Her role was simply to nurture them, to ensure they weren’t crushed by harsh winds. Moving them to a sunny spot, removing any pests that nibbled at their leaves, and offering a steady presence was enough. He had the strength to blossom on his own.
Jacqueline pointed at the almond tree, her eyes sparkling. “Oh my, Benjamin, look! A longhorn beetle. Shall we try to catch it?”
Benjamin, about to nod enthusiastically, hesitated. A flicker of worry crossed his hazel eyes.

She knew what he was thinking. Placing her hands on her hips, she declared, “Don’t worry, Benjamin. I won’t scream again. I was just startled before. I’m not a frail lady who’s afraid of cicada shells.”
“Okay!” Reassured, Benjamin reached out and gently closed his hand around the beetle.
The beetle, caught completely off guard, struggled frantically, but it was too late.

“I caught it! It’s a giant longhorn beetle, Miss Somerset!” Benjamin looked at her, his face beaming, his eyes crinkling into crescents, his mouth wide with a grin.
“!” Jacqueline’s eyes widened. It was the first time she had seen him genuinely smile.
It was a more innocent and radiant smile than she had imagined, a smile that was infectious. She couldn’t help but smile back.

“You’re very brave.”
Benjamin carefully examined the beetle, its wriggling legs, its hard shell, and its impressive horns.
Jacqueline, feeling a strange itch every time the beetle’s legs twitched, did her best to maintain her composure. “If any insects fly into my room, would you mind catching them for me? I’m not quite ready to catch them myself. Not that I’m afraid, of course.”

“Yes, Miss Somerset! Just call me anytime!”
“That’s very reassuring.”
Benjamin’s attention quickly shifted to a loudly chirping cicada, which he promptly caught.

Jacqueline tilted her head, wondering if the insects in the Preston gardens were unusually docile, or if Benjamin was simply a natural at catching them.
After a while, she looked up at the sky and announced the end of their adventure. “Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go back and have some lemonade.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset.” The boy, despite having enjoyed himself immensely, readily agreed. He lifted the cloth covering the bucket.

Inside, a collection of longhorn beetles and cicada shells lay jumbled together. Benjamin carefully placed them back where they belonged, then dusted off his hands. He looked at Jacqueline, his hazel eyes indicating he was ready to return.
“Alright. Let’s head back to the manor. Congratulations on surviving our adventure.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset!”
They walked side by side towards the manor. As they reached the entrance, a carriage bearing the Preston family crest pulled up.

Benjamin snapped to attention, his posture rigid, his feet together, and his chin raised.
Windsor, stepping out of the carriage, sensed their presence and turned around. His impassive gaze swept past Jacqueline and settled on Benjamin.
Benjamin froze, his expression turning tense as he realized the state of his clothes, covered in dirt. It wasn’t a look befitting the future Marquess of Preston. His lips tightened into a thin line, and the sparkle in his eyes faded. He lowered his gaze, anticipating his uncle’s disapproval.

He was afraid his uncle would be disappointed again, afraid he would give up on him.
Just then, Jacqueline spoke, a bright smile on her face. “Welcome back, Lord Preston.”
Windsor’s gaze shifted to her. He pulled out his pocket watch, checked the time, and spoke curtly. “I expect this afternoon’s lessons to proceed without further interruption, Miss Somerset.”

“Of course, Lord Preston. We still have time for a cup of tea.”
Windsor nodded curtly and walked towards the entrance. William, waiting at the door, greeted him respectfully. “Welcome back, my lord.”
Benjamin’s mouth dropped open. He stared at the closed entrance, as if unable to believe his uncle hadn’t scolded him.

He slowly turned to Jacqueline, his hazel eyes shining like stars in the night sky.
Recognizing the awe in his gaze, Jacqueline straightened her back and said smugly, “I told you, Benjamin. Lord Preston agreed to respect my educational philosophy.”
“Miss Somerset, are you…?” Benjamin began hesitantly, his expression dazed. Jacqueline, her face beaming with pride, urged him to continue.

“Are you a fairy?”
“Hmm?” Jacqueline blinked, taken aback by the unexpected question. Benjamin, his voice filled with excitement, continued his explanation.
“I read it in a book once, when I was five. Fairies can melt even the coldest hearts. Oh, not that Uncle has a cold heart, but… um… so, Miss Somerset, are you a fairy?”

Jacqueline, who had been about to explain that their success was due to rational persuasion and logical arguments, placed a finger on her lips.
“Shhh!”
“!”

“How did you know? It’s a secret.”
Benjamin’s eyes widened. Jacqueline glanced around conspiratorially and lowered her voice. Benjamin’s eyebrows shot up at her dramatic expression.
“You mustn’t tell anyone. If they find out, I’ll have to go back to where I came from. And I’d like to stay at Preston Manor a little longer.”

Benjamin, instead of replying, covered his mouth with both hands and nodded vigorously.
“Let’s go. If we hurry, we’ll have time for lemonade before the lesson starts.”
Benjamin continued nodding, his hands still covering his mouth. Jacqueline, suppressing a smile, led the way.

Despite his composure and maturity, he was still only six years old, a child easily swayed by an adult’s playful deception. A child who probably still believed in Santa Claus.
She found his naivete endearing.
“Oh?” Passing the carriage, Jacqueline’s eyes widened. She noticed a cane leaning against the seat.

Tom, the coachman, who had been about to close the door, stopped and scratched his head. He smiled sheepishly at Jacqueline. “He left it again.”
“I’m heading that way; I’ll take it to him.”
“Thank you, Miss Somerset.” Tom handed her the cane. Jacqueline twirled it in her hand, like a fairy casting a spell.

Benjamin’s eyes sparkled. Jacqueline, hiding her amusement, walked alongside him.
“Of course, you still have to pay attention in your lessons. That was our agreement with Lord Preston.”
“Yes, Miss Somerset.” Benjamin nodded obediently.

“But outside of lessons, you’re free. How about another adventure tomorrow morning? There might be other creatures living in the other garden. According to the book I read, different insects thrive in different environments.”
“Really?” Benjamin’s eyes widened, as if she had offered him an unexpected gift. His gaze was filled with awe.
He truly seemed to believe she was a fairy. It wasn’t a bad thing.

Jacqueline stamped her feet at the entrance. “I never break a promise. And you should always wipe the dirt off your shoes before entering the manor. We don’t want to make more work for the maids.”
Benjamin mimicked her, stamping his feet. His eyes were filled with trust. He looked like he would believe anything she said, even if she told him she could make bread out of sand. At this rate, she might become the mastermind behind the future Marquess of Preston.
Not that she had any such ambitions, of course.

“Master Benjamin, what in the…!” Their triumphant march down the hallway was interrupted by Mrs. Ritz’s horrified gasp at the sight of Benjamin’s mud-caked clothes.
Jacqueline leaned closer to Benjamin and whispered, the cane drooping in her hand, “I’m sorry, Benjamin. Even fairies can’t stop Mrs. Ritz’s scolding.”
Benjamin, instead of replying, nodded solemnly and straightened his back, as if to say he could handle it.

“Don’t worry, Ritz. I’ll change my clothes right away.”
“Yes, Master Benjamin.” Mrs. Ritz’s reprimand ceased abruptly. Benjamin headed towards the staircase, and Mrs. Ritz hurried after him.
Benjamin glanced back at Jacqueline, a mischievous glint in his eyes, a silent acknowledgment of their shared secret.

Jacqueline stopped and stared at him.
“…” She suddenly wondered if he was the fairy. Hadn’t he melted her heart from the moment they met?
“Yes, perhaps he is.” A silent chuckle escaped her lips.

* * *
 

Dozens of carriages arrived at Preston Manor every day, bringing visitors who had managed to secure an appointment with the marquess.
They greeted him with wide, forced smiles, showering him with compliments before finally getting to the point. “Just between us, Lord Preston…” Their requests usually involved investments, business proposals, or even outright pleas for donations.
They didn’t need Windsor; they needed the Marquess of Preston, or rather, the vast Preston fortune.

Those who couldn’t secure an appointment resorted to sending letters, filled with elaborate stories and flattery.
Sifting through them to find anything worthwhile was like searching for gold in the sand. And there might not even be any gold to find.
“Haah…” Windsor sighed, looking at the stack of papers on his desk. No matter how diligently he worked, the pile never seemed to diminish.

A light knock interrupted his thoughts. He looked up.
The door opened, and Jacqueline entered. She had changed her clothes and was wearing a bright smile. “You left your cane in the carriage.”
“Ah.” She walked to the desk and handed him the cane. He placed it carelessly against the side of the desk.

Jacqueline, who he had expected to leave, remained standing there. He looked at her questioningly.
“Is there something else?”