CHAPTER FIVE: THE GOVERNESSS RULES
Mrs. Vale appeared at the morning-room door before luncheon.
She stopped when she saw Clara sitting on the carpet beside Selena.
“Miss Clara, you know that your lessons begin at eleven.”
Clara looked at the clock.
“It is only half past ten.”
“You must prepare your books.”
William rose.
“Her lessons will begin at eleven, as you have just said.”
The governess lowered her eyes.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Selena noticed a narrow red mark around Clara’s wrist when the child reached for her bird.
“Did you hurt yourself?” she asked gently.
Clara pulled down her sleeve.
“I caught it on the nursery door.”
Mrs. Vale answered too quickly.
“The child is careless when she becomes excited.”
William’s gaze moved to Clara’s wrist.
“Let me see.”
Clara shook her head.
“It does not hurt now.”
He did not force her.
Instead, he asked Mrs. Vale to bring the lesson books to the morning room.
The governess looked startled.
“The nursery is better suited to instruction.”
“I would like to see what Clara is studying.”
Mrs. Vale hesitated long enough for Selena to notice.
“Very well,” she said.
After she left, Clara began arranging her paper birds in a row.
Selena waited until William had moved toward the writing desk.
“Does Mrs. Vale often hold your wrist?” she asked softly.
Clara kept her eyes on the birds.
“Only when I forget.”
“Forget what?”
“That I must not run, or laugh loudly, or ask questions about Mama.”
Selena felt anger rise, but she kept her voice steady.
“Children sometimes forget rules.”
“Mrs. Vale says forgetting is wicked.”
William turned around.
“She says what?”
Clara flinched at the sharpness in his voice.
He lowered himself onto a nearby chair.
“Clara, I am not angry with you.”
“You look angry.”
“I am angry that someone made you afraid to tell me the truth.
”
The child considered this distinction.
“Will you send her away?”
“I will speak to her first.”
Clara looked disappointed.
Selena realized that William was trying to be fair to a woman whose conduct he did not yet understand.
She also realized that Clara had been waiting a long time for someone to ask the right question.
