A Most Unusual Governess Read Online Free PDF

his undoubted good looks, Sarah, in common with the boys, did not like the man.
    William and Peter will be along shortly,' he told her. It was the custom for him to send the boys to the schoolroom at five o'clock. They are just finishing off a piece of Latin prose.'
    Sarah mumbled a vague reply. She was absorbed in what she was doing and wanted to finish before Lucy returned with her nurse.
    Your interview with Lord Randall went well, I hope?' asked Mr Haversage, going over to the globe which perched on Sarah's desk and giving it a spin.
    'As well as can be expected. Although I don't know why he finds it so difficult to understand the children.'
    These great men,' he said with a shrug, they never care about anyone but themselves.'
    He gave the globe another spin.
    'Do you mind?' asked Sarah.
    She put her hand on the globe to stop its whirling. She was annoyed by his habit of interfering with her things but knew better than to say anything, for it would only provoke him. Nonetheless, she wished he would go away.
    As if sensing her feelings, Mr Haversage settled himself on the desk.
    That looks interesting,' he said, looking over her shoulder at the work she was preparing.
    He was very close to her, and Sarah could feel his breath on her neck. The sensation made her uneasy. There was something about him that she simply did not like, and in order to get him to move away from her she said sharply, You're in my light.'
    We can't have that, can we?' There was a mocking note in his voice. The conscientious governess must have her work finished on time.'
    She looked round impatiently. 'Do you have anything to say to me, or are you just bored?' she asked.
    'I wouldn't need to be bored to talk to you.' He perched himself on the edge of her desk and thrust his hands into his pockets and said banteringly. 'My only concern is that you don't talk back.'
    But Sarah had no intention of bantering with him. She felt unhappy at his closeness and could feel the small hairs on the back of her neck rising.
    'I'm busy,' she said.
    You won't be busy next Friday.'
    'I'm always busy on a Friday,' she remarked, making an exclamation of annoyance as a large blob of ink dropped from the end of her quill and blotted her page.
    'Not next Friday. You've been here almost a month now. It will be your afternoon off.'
    Sarah stopped in the middle of sanding her paper. She was surprised. But a moment's reflection told her that what he said was true.
    What will you do with the time?' he asked her.
    'I hadn't really thought about it.'
    There are some interesting ruins just a few miles to the north of here. They're surrounded by trees; cool and shady. I'd be happy to show them to you if you like. I know them well.'
    'No - thank you,' she added. She often seemed to add a belated thank you when speaking to Mr Haversage. His remarks somehow always made her uneasy and her first reaction was to shoot out a curt reply.
    Why not?'
    Sarah had the disturbing feeling he was enjoying her discomfiture.
    She shrugged. 1 have other plans.' 'And what are they?' he asked her, challenging her to produce any.
    They - are my own concern.'
    'A pity.' He stood up suddenly as Lucy and her nurse entered the room. 'Perhaps another time.'
    Sarah made no reply, but she was not sorry to see him leave. She was probably over-reacting, but still, she did not like Mr Haversage's company and was happy that Lucy had returned.
    'Are we going to play in the woods?' asked Lucy, as her nurse followed Mr Haversage out of the room.
    Sarah hesitated. She had not been able to make Lord Randall see the value of play, however, he had not expressly forbidden it and besides, she had managed to establish a more friendly relationship with him towards the end of the morning's interview. If any difference of opinion arose between them in the future Sarah felt confident they would be able to talk the matter over in a calm fashion. Her hesitation lasted only for a moment, after which she responded to Lucy's open