Lord Preston's Secret Governess

Chapter 3: You’ll Find Out Soon Enough

 
Jacqueline watched as the boy mirrored her own relief, his small shoulders slumping. Benjamin, who had sat down and opened a book, looked up, sensing her gaze.

Jacqueline offered a gentle smile. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, would you mind giving me a tour of the mansion, Benjamin?”
“…” Benjamin hesitated, clearly surprised by the unexpected request. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly unsure how to respond.
Jacqueline put on her most pitiful expression, hoping he wouldn’t refuse. “I’ve just arrived at Preston Manor, and I don’t know anyone. Could you help me, Benjamin?”

“…” Finally, Benjamin slowly nodded. He closed his book, stood up, and led the way.
Smiling brightly, Jacqueline walked alongside him. She had taken a liking to the boy from their first encounter. She appreciated his kindness and willingness to help.

* * *
 
Time was running short. The tour had taken longer than expected. A sense of urgency pricked at her, but Jacqueline knew she needed to remain calm. Haste made waste.

Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“The pen and paper you requested, Miss.”

A maid entered and placed a tray containing ink and paper on the desk. Jacqueline tried to make friendly conversation. “Thank you. Your name is…?”
“Betty, Miss.” The maid’s reply was stiff and formal, leaving no room for Jacqueline’s friendly overtures.
“Right, Betty. I’ll need some materials for tomorrow’s lessons. Who should I speak to about that?”

“If you tell me what you require, I’ll inform Mrs. Ritz, Miss.”
“Thank you, Betty.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Somerset. I’m simply doing my job.” Betty curtseyed, her face expressionless, and left the room. Jacqueline suspected it would take some time to adjust to the austere atmosphere of Preston Manor.

“Haah…” Sighing softly, she turned her attention to the desk. There was much to do, but the most pressing task was preparing the curriculum.
Jacqueline dipped her pen in ink and began to write, her hand moving swiftly and surely. She had already formulated a plan.
“Hmm… Mm… Good. Excellent. Hmm… Perfect.” Alternating between murmurs and exclamations, Jacqueline finally rose from her chair. After reviewing her work one last time, she left the room with a confident air, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Pausing outside the study where she had first met Windsor Preston, she took a deep breath and knocked crisply.
“Jacqueline Somerset, Lord Preston.”
“Enter.”
At his command, Jacqueline lifted her chin slightly and entered the room with graceful steps, as if walking down the dormitory hallway under the watchful eye of her headmistress.

For some reason, I always feel nervous around Lord Preston. Concealing her apprehension, she walked directly to the desk. Windsor set down his pen and looked up.
“I’ve prepared the curriculum for this month, Lord Preston.”
Windsor pulled out his pocket watch, flipped open the lid, and checked the time. Dinner was at seven, and it was now 6:46.

“You finished just in time.” His tone was neutral, merely stating a fact, yet it carried the subtle weight of a reprimand.
Jacqueline straightened her back, lifting her shoulders, and placed a single sheet of paper on the desk. She probably hadn’t been this nervous even when submitting her final exam. But she was confident in her work, and she consciously maintained a relaxed smile.
Windsor picked up the paper. His eyes, devoid of any discernible emotion, scanned the page.

He looked like an actor on a stage. His striking appearance seemed more suited for the theater than the battlefield. So captivating that she could easily lose herself in his presence if she wasn’t careful.
“…”
Jacqueline snapped back to attention as she noticed his brow furrowing. She quickly lifted her chin again, her lips pressed together in a firm line.

Windsor set the paper down and fixed his blue-gray gaze on her, the crease between his brows deepening. Even his frown was strangely alluring. He truly is a devil. How else could he be so mesmerizing?
“Miss Jacqueline Somerset.”
“Yes, Lord Preston?”

“I believe I requested a curriculum for Benjamin’s education. Was there perhaps a misunderstanding in our conversation?”
“No, I understood perfectly.”
“So you’re saying this,” he gestured to the paper, “is the educational curriculum for this month?”

“Yes, that is correct, Lord Preston.”
Windsor’s gaze returned to the paper. His perfectly arched eyebrows twitched.
Jacqueline met his heavy gaze unflinchingly. His tone remained polite, but his voice was devoid of warmth.

“Let me ask again. You intend to implement ‘Self-Introductions,’ ‘Creating Benjamin’s Comfortable Sanctuary,’ ‘Building Camaraderie Through Picnics,’ ‘Discovering Benjamin’s Favorite Subjects,’ ‘Sharing Family Stories,’ and ‘Exploring Benjamin’s Dreams’ as this month’s educational curriculum?” His voice remained flat, devoid of inflection, yet the question hung in the air with a subtle pressure.
Jacqueline smiled brightly and nodded. “Yes, Lord Preston. Right now, building trust and rapport between myself and Benjamin is more important than reading another line in a textbook…”
“Don’t disappoint me, Miss Somerset.” Windsor’s eyes turned cold as a winter sky, his chilling beauty captivating.

Jacqueline, oblivious to her interrupted sentence, fell silent. Even his anger was compelling. Though, it was less anger and more a chilling composure.
He hadn’t raised his voice or resorted to accusations. He simply stated the facts in a detached tone. Yet, the sheer force of his presence made her shoulders instinctively hunch.
“Benjamin is scheduled to enter the Yorkshire Boarding School next year. There’s much he needs to learn before then.”

“He’ll have plenty of time to study Continental History and foreign languages after he’s enrolled. They’re required subjects.”
“Don’t forget, Miss Somerset, Benjamin is the future Marquess of Preston. It will be too late if he starts learning after enrollment. The heir to the Preston family must excel beyond his peers.”
Jacqueline acknowledged the difference in their perspectives. Their educational philosophies didn’t align, and in such cases, the employer’s opinion prevailed.

“Even considering that this is your first position, this curriculum is unacceptable. If you’re not prepared to fulfill your duties as a governess…”
Quickly adjusting her strategy, Jacqueline placed another sheet of paper on the desk. Windsor paused mid-sentence, his gaze questioning.
“I prepared a second curriculum, just in case you weren’t satisfied with the first. Would you mind taking a look, Lord Preston?”

Windsor’s eyes flicked to the new document. He scanned the schedule, packed with lessons from morning till evening, and nodded. “This is considerably more productive than the first.”
Having narrowly avoided dismissal, Jacqueline allowed herself a small, self-satisfied smile, pleased with her thorough preparation.
“I’ll consider the previous curriculum a trial run. You may proceed with this schedule starting tomorrow, Miss Somerset.”

“Certainly, Lord Preston.” Jacqueline’s smile widened, noting the slight thaw in his gaze. Windsor picked up his pen and resumed reviewing the documents on his desk.
“You’re dismissed, Miss Somerset.”
“If I may, could I ask one question?”

At her request, Windsor set down his pen again, his gaze prompting her to continue.
“May I ask why the previous governesses resigned? Knowing what to avoid would be helpful, for me, for Benjamin, and for you, Lord Preston.”
The question seemed to catch him off guard. Instead of answering, he studied her intently. His gaze was different now, subtly so, from the indifference he had shown earlier. It was difficult to pinpoint the difference, but it felt as though he was reassessing her.

After a long moment, he picked up his pen again. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Jacqueline stood there for a moment, a question mark etched on her face. But no further explanation was forthcoming.
Accepting defeat, she dipped into a curtsy, her movements impeccably polite. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

She turned to leave, her footsteps light on the carpet. Reaching the door, she paused. The butler was standing outside, his hand raised to knock.
William, seeing the door swing open, slowly lowered his hand. “Miss Somerset, you’re here.”
“I was just leaving. Please, come in.” Jacqueline nodded gracefully and stepped aside.

“Thank you,” William murmured, entering the study.
Jacqueline closed the door behind him. Their voices drifted faintly through the narrowing gap.
“Lord Easthill has sent an invitation to a formal dinner party.”

“Send my regrets.”
“This is the third refusal, my lord. Forgive my boldness, but wouldn’t it be prudent to attend at least one? The messenger indicated that Lord Easthill is quite displeased with your repeated refusals.”
“Tell him I have a prior engagement. No, better yet, tell him I’m unwell.”

Click. The door closed behind her. Jacqueline finally exhaled, the tension draining from her shoulders.
Glancing back at the heavy mahogany door, her green eyes thoughtful, she murmured, “Well, a curriculum is just a curriculum.” Changes to the syllabus were commonplace at school, depending on the circumstances. She walked down the hallway, her steps light.
“Ah, Miss Somerset.” Betty, who had been standing outside her room, curtseyed slightly. “Dinner is served.”

“Thank you, Betty. I’ll be right there.”
Jacqueline changed direction and headed towards the dining room. Opening the door, she saw that Benjamin was already seated.