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Falling for the Governess
Preface
My dearest Louisa,
I fear my heart is broken. It is with the saddest news I find myself writing to you today. Just yesterday I received a visit from Mr. Jenkins, my father’s lawyer.
As you know, my father was on a ship set for Cayman Island in relation to his import business. As I had mentioned a few times at our last meeting, I was becoming exceedingly concerned since his vessel had not yet returned. Without any ill news, I hoped that they had only been delayed by poor wind and calm waters.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. While in the tropics, father contracted a most dreadful fever. His most experienced sailors fell ill.
To prevent the sickness from spreading, the ill were to be left behind to recover and return home aboard another vessel. My father was too prominent of a figure to just leave behind, and the MHS Poseidon decided to stay in Cayman Island for a fortnight to allow him to recover.
I am told the fever passed. For that I am grateful, but why did my stubborn father have to push himself? I don’t know how to feel. You are aware of how much I disliked him going on these journeys to begin with.
Having gained his strength back, father sailed Poseidon homeward bound, but his health took a turn for the worse.
The ship's surgeon did all he could to help, but in the end, it was not enough. My father passed away a little over a month ago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. There’s nothing I could have done, and I resent myself for that.
Mr. Jenkins, having been informed himself just last night upon the arrival of the ship, came to bear me the sorrowful news this morning. He assured me that my father had the most lavished and honorable burial at sea that could be mustered for the situation.
I am so overcome with confusion and sorrow, it is a wonder that I can even compose myself to scribe such a letter to you.
Though father was always very busy with his business and adventures, he was a loving and attentive man. I feel my life vastly emptier without the assured knowledge that though he may be away, he will always return home here to Rosewater house.
Mr. Jenkins has also informed me that I will need to come to his offices on the morrow to discuss my father's estate and I suppose, to some effect, what is to become of me.
I cannot even imagine being able to subject myself to conversations of financial and worldly status when my heart is so full of turmoil.
It is for this reason that I must offer my deepest regrets to inform you that I will not be able to accompany your excellent mother to tea. Please tell Lady Gilchrist that I send my deepest regrets.
I hope that I will see you very soon, my dear Louisa, so that I may receive comfort from the words of wisdom you always seem to use so deftly.
With humble heart,
Isabella
The next evening Isabella received a return letter from Lady Lydia in the five o’clock post.
* * *
My Dearest Isabella,
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I give you my deepest condolences on your loss.
I have informed her Ladyship of your necessity for absence from her humble event tomorrow afternoon. Though you will be greatly missed by not only my mother but all those who are to attend, we all understand your need for time to quietly reflect and compose yourself.
Please do not fear for your well-being. Your father was a good man, and I am confident that he will provide for you even after the untimely event of his death.
As soon as you are able, please come to call so that I may be able to comfort my dearest friend in her time of need.
Your humble friend,
Louisa
Chapter 1
Isabella’s eyes wandered lazily as she sat in Louisa’s comfortable drawing room. It was the smaller drawing room of her dear friend’s London residence, used for the entertaining of very intimate friends of the ladies of the house.
Isabella was struggling to collect her thoughts or even know where to begin after the events that had transpired over the last two days. She did her best to keep her trembling hands clasped in the lap of her dark black cotton dress.
Her hand rattled the teacup just slightly when she took it from Louisa's loving hands. Isabella was happy for the privacy such an intimate setting provided. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to hold her composure as she retold Louisa all that transpired.
“I scarcely know where to begin,” she said after taking a small sip of courage.
She didn’t have much appetite at the moment but felt the tea might help to clear her head. The last few nights had been restless and anything but rejuvenating.
“Start with when you arrived at Mr. Jenkins’ offices yesterday. I am quite sure we will find a way to untangle any mess you may now find yourself in,” Louisa responded calmly.
She was just two years older than Isabella but not the slightest in comparison to physical beauty. Where Isabella had rich, shiny black locks and emerald-green eyes, Louisa had mouse-brown hair, which rarely plaited as it should, and ordinary brown eyes.
It did not prevent them from finding an inseparable bond as young girls at the prestigious Mrs. Mason's School for Exceptional Young Ladies.
Louisa had always been a quiet child who often kept to herself. Isabella, on the other hand, was openly pleasant to be around and was commonly found at the center of the conversation, entertaining the other ladies of the school with wild tales heard from her father's adventures.
Louisa, at first, had listened quietly to her tales, but Isabella saw more to Louisa than her shy exterior. Much as Isabella had expected, Louisa was the most kind and giving young lady she had ever met. Her friendship and confidante was something she treasured all through her youth and young adulthood.
“I suppose you’re right,” Isabella responded with a steadying breath before setting the tea down.
“I arrived at Mr. Jenkins office yesterday morning. I was surprised when I was shown in to find Mr. Smith already there.”
“Mr. Smith? Your father’s horrid business partner,” Louisa clarified, and Isabella nodded in agreement.
“I had done my best to avoid him at all costs since that dreadful event four years ago. It gave me quite a shock as it had not been mentioned to me that he would be there.
Though now looking back on it, it was certainly reasonable that he should be there as we discussed my father’s estate.”