“There you are, Lady Amy,” Matilda said, trying to keep her voice light and airy, hoping not to sound like all other strict and disappointed governesses usually did when their charges had done something untoward. “Might I ask what you are reading?”
Matilda peeked at the book but with the girl’s legs pulled up and the cover resting upon her lap, it was impossible to see the title. What she did see, however, was the way that Lady Amy’s eyebrow rose as if she was intrigued at being asked a question rather than simply being scolded.
So, this is how we are going to play it?Matilda thought grimly as the girl remained silent, seeming to ignore her. Exhaling calmly, Matilda turned and moved a few steps away from the tree, dropping down onto her rear on a patch of grass between Lady Amy’s tree and the next.
“What is your book about?” Matilda asked, sitting, and taking another bite of her apple before she pulled the second from the pocket of her apron. “Would you like an apple?”
Finally, Lady Amy glanced up from where she had seemingly been continuing to read. She glowered at Matilda for a moment and then glanced around her as if to suggest,If I wanted an apple, I would have picked one for myself.
Then, without saying a word, she returned her gaze to the page she was reading. A few seconds later she flipped the page.
Stay calm, Matilda,she told herself, gritting her teeth in an attempt to use up some of the frustration she was feeling. She just barely managed to stop herself from tightening her hands into fists. Instead, she sighed nonchalantly and dropped onto her back, lying in the sunshine.
The gap between the two trees afforded an excellent spot for bathing in the sun and although she knew her skin would not thank her if she remained there for too long, she enjoyed the feel of it for a few minutes.
As she did so silently, with her eyes closed against the brightness of the light, she was sure she could feel Lady Amy watching her with curiosity and speculation. Likely she had never seen a governess be so casual as to lie down in the grass, not worrying about her clothes or the fact that she had to remain strict and straight-backed in front of her young charges.
Matilda barely managed to stop herself from smiling, feeling as though she knew exactly how to handle Lady Amy’s stubbornness.
“I assume you are reading some kind of fairytale?” Matilda asked after several minutes of enjoying the sun, her apple all but forgotten on the grass beside her.
She did not open her eyes or even turn to look a Lady Amy, though she did hear the girl sigh deeply. Matilda thought that she would simply ignore her all over again, but she was relieved when the girl finally responded, “I am readingLittle Briar Rose.”
“Ah, the sleeping beauty,” Matilda remarked, and she opened one eye just in time to see Lady Amy looking quite shocked. “That tale happens to be one of my favourites.”
Amy grunted as if it was of little interest to her and Matilda watched her lower her gaze once more to the pages, though she was certain she saw the hint of a smile at the corner of the girl’s lips.
“I always quiver whenever I read the part of her pricking her finger,” Matilda admitted, hoping that the confession might make her appear more vulnerable and approachable. It appeared to be working because even out of the corner of her eye, Matilda saw Amy beginning to nod.
Deciding it was better to take her time, allowing the girl to grow used to having her in this space, Matilda breathed out another sigh and reached up her arms to place her hands behind her head. Again, she felt the girl watching her with curiosity and knew that she was beginning to intrigue the girl just enough, perhaps enough to get a small conversation out of her.
“I can see why you like it so much out here,” she commented, tilting her head further toward the sun and breathing in the rich smell of nature all around her. “I would have given anything for a place like this when I was your age.”
Matilda could practically here the cheeky response that likely ran through Amy’s mind,how long ago was that?
Yet, she was relieved when the girl did not say the words aloud. She decided to take it as a good sign and finally plucked up the courage to ask, “Lady Amy, why did you not meet me in the drawing room this morning?”
She was sure that her voice had sounded casual, and she was determined to keep it that way as well as her demeanor, resolute not to make the girl anymore uncomfortable than she already was.I am a stranger in her house,Matilda reminded herself,she must learn to trust me.
Matilda knew all too well how some governesses could barge right in like a bull in a china shop and demand to be listened to and obeyed without question. For a few it worked, yet it clearly had not with a child such as Amy who was all too willful and clearly stubborn.
“Whatever the reason, you may tell me,” Matilda added softly, opening her eye just a slit in order to look at Amy for a moment before she closed it once more.
She felt the girl’s eyes turn upon her as if she were adding her gaze to the heat of the sun and Matilda held her breath, waiting for a response, even a grunt.
“I did not feel like learning today,” Amy responded simply. She grunted as Matilda had half-expected and then came the real revelation in the form of a sharp, “And youcannotmake me!”
There was the thudding of a heel on the ground and Matilda knew that Amy was quite literally trying to put her foot down. Remaining calm, Matilda slowly and gently rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow to look at the young lady.
“You are most certainly right, my lady,” Matilda said with all honesty and quiet calm. “I cannot force you to learn. I cannot force you to do anything.”
The young lady was quite simply unable to hide her astonishment. She gazed at Matilda over the lip of her book, huge brown eyes wider than ever with her mouth gaping open. It was in that moment that Matilda knew she had her right where she wanted her.
“I entirely understand, Lady Amy,” Matilda continued with a gentle smile. “I would not wish to be stuck in a stuffy drawing room either when it is such a beautiful day.”
For a moment, to illustrate her point, she turned her face back up to the sky. It was a great joy to feel the sun shining upon her face and she sucked in another deep and cleansing breath. When she looked at the young lady again, she still looked quite shocked though she had remembered herself and closed her mouth.
“In fact, Lady Amy, wait right here. I feel I am in the mood to read also.”