“Yes. It is.”
“And I shall marry while you sit here in an empty schoolroom, but don’t worry, Miss Copeland,” she said in a fair imitation of her mother’s condescending tones, “I shall take pity and have you for a governess when I have children.”
“How accommodating you are,” she choked out. In desperate need of activity, Sarah left the table. She drifted to one of the windows and looked out. From her location on the third floor, she could discern the rooftops of their closest neighbor. Barely visible through the spring trees, the gray shingles beckoned. A couple of miles separated the two estates, though the earl’s property was much larger. If she ran away from this house where no one spoke to her—save the children—for days on end, where she took her dinners alone most evenings, where she hadn’t a friend or confidence, would those neighbors offer her sanctuary?
A hysterical laugh bubbled through her chest. She quelled the urge to let it out. Of course, they wouldn’t. There was no one in residence and hadn’t been for as many years as she’d been governess to these children.
I have truly exhausted every avenue that might have opened for me.
George sidled over and stood beside her. “Miss Copeland, I learned something else from Papa the other day,” he said, his tone conversational, as if he were much older and leaning against a fireplace mantle in a drawing room.
“Oh? About me?” Please say no. After all, what else was there to tell?
“Actually, no. It’s about Hadleigh Hall.” He pointed at the rooftops in the distance. “The earl has come to stay in the country for a bit. Apparently, he’s found London rather distasteful. Papa says it’s the first time in years. He figures the old earl must have died and this is his son.” The boy shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him.
“Is this the truth or gossip?” She didn’t know much about their neighbor, for she didn’t engage in the senseless chatter of the maids.
“The other day Mary and I were playing in the field. We saw a few coaches on the drive. Footmen were unloading all sorts of trunks and boxes. Someone has come to Hadleigh Hall and they’re planning to stay for a while.”
“If he’s young, there might be gay parties,” Mary added with shining eyes.
How interesting.She’d never seen the old earl, but she’d heard enough talk in the village about him. From all accounts, he’d been aloof, but responsible and dutiful. What sort of a man was his son? “Was your father friends with the previous earl?” She shouldn’t entertain or even invite gossip, for it didn’t set a good example, but she rather doubted it could do more harm to the little buggers in her care.
“I’m not certain. Mama said something about the countess being nice and elegant.”
That meant absolutely nothing. All women were deemed nice until one knew their true personality. Sarah kept her own counsel as she continued to stare at the roof tops. Never had she known, or even met, a titled peer. Did he bring a wife with him, a family? Would they invite her great uncle for dinner, and if he did, would that invitation extend to her?
Eventually, George stirred. “Papa and Mama want to have a dinner party or a rout to welcome the new earl to the area.” His eyes gleamed. “That means leftovers in the kitchen that Mary and I will have the chance to nab.”
Now that was interesting. A social event meant people and that meant an unexpected opportunity. “How fun. No doubt your father wishes to make a good impression.” Perhaps she’d be asked to help make up numbers around a table. Imagine how exciting to spend one carefree night without worrying over her future. And if she happened to meet an eligible gentleman while there, she’d use everything in her arsenal to garner his attention and secure it.
Mary came over and stood by Sarah at her other side. For a brief, fleeting moment her little hand found Sarah’s before she moved on to pull a wooden duck with a string from a nearby shelf. “I like it when Mama puts on fancy dresses. Some of them sparkle.”
“I’d like that too.” Though every gown she owned was plain, for she hadn’t spare coin to spend on silly trims or expensive fabrics. Her own skill with a needle was laughable at best. And, as Mary had said, spectacles would make certain she remained on the sidelines. She stifled a sigh of longing. Something had to change. This couldn’t be all that life had to offer her.
It just couldn’t. Years of this would drive her to Bedlam, she was certain. Again, she looked at the faraway rooftops as she wrapped a hand around her locket. Mama, Papa, if you’re looking down upon me, help move fate along. I need but one chance… perhaps the earl would have a hand in altering the course of her future.