The Governess of Highland Hall Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Thank you, Mary. You’re a fine cook.”
    “You haven’t tasted it yet, Phillip.”
    “After thirty-three years of enjoying your cooking, I’m sure it is delicious.”
    Her mother patted his cheek. “You’re a dear man. You always have been.” She returned to the kitchen to bring out the last tray.
    He watched her go, a misty look in his eyes. “Your mother has borne this all so well.”
    “She’s a brave woman.”
    He shifted his gaze to Julia. “And so are you.”
    She took his hand. “You’re the brave one.”
    A warm light filled his eyes, and he shook his head. “I appreciate what you’re doing for us. I know it’s not your first choice to leave home to work as a governess.”
    Her throat tightened. “It will be fine. I’m thankful they’ve agreed to hire me.” She pulled up a chair next to him and sat down.
    “You’ll do well at Highland. They’ll hate to see you go when the time comes.”
    She glanced away and reached for her dinner tray.
    Her father frowned slightly as he watched her. “Julia, you did tell them this is temporary, didn’t you?”
    She looked up as her mother returned, but she did not meet her father’s gaze. “I meant to, but the whole experience was so … unsettling. Before I knew it, the interview was over, and the butler was showing me out.”
    Father looked at her over the top of his glasses. “Honesty is an important foundation for all relationships. You don’t want to mislead them.”
    “No, of course not. But I’m not sure I need to tell them right now. Sir William made it clear there is a one-month trial period. He may not keep me on after that.”
    “All the more reason to tell him we plan to return to India as soon as my health improves.”
    That was her father’s plan, but the longer his health remained unchanged, the less likely it seemed it would happen. Julia exchanged a glance with her mother.
    Her father sighed. “I know what you two are thinking.”
    “And what is that, dear?” Her mother’s expression remained serene.
    “That I’ll not be able to go back.”
    The slightest hint of pain appeared in her mother’s eyes then quickly faded. “That decision is in the Lord’s hands. We’re trusting Him to direct us.”
    Her father’s sorrowful expression eased. “Of course. You’re right, dear.”He focused on Julia again. “But my illness must not keep you from returning to India, if that’s what you truly want.”
    They’d talked about this many times. He knew how much she loved teaching in India and that she longed to go back, but how could she leave her parents when her father was so ill? Who would care for them if she left the country? Jonathan attended medical school in London and needed more training before he could begin his own practice and assume some of the responsibility of caring for their parents. “I’m content to wait for the Lord to open that door at the right time.”
    “Are you, my dear?” Concern filled her father’s eyes. “Can you accept this position at Highland and see it as God’s will for you at the present?”
    Julia looked toward the window where the fading sunlight painted the sky soft shades of peach and gold. After living in India for twelve years, it felt more like home than England. But her parents needed her here. The only answer was to surrender and allow God to choose … and for now the choice was clear.
    She turned back to her father. “God has guided me to Highland. My present and my future are safe in His hands.”
    Her father patted her knee. “Very good, my dear. With your mind set like that, He will bless you and take care of everything. I’m sure of it.”
    Julia nodded, but she wished her heart felt as strong and certain as her words. For her parents’ sake, she must cast off her homesick thoughts of India and make the needed adjustments to her new life at Highland.
    “Shall we pray?” Father reached for her hand.
    She clasped his warm, rough fingers in her own and then took her