The Governess- 18

BOOK TWO

“This is Richard Chambers” Jane relished hearing those words as she stood in
front of her desk facing Lady Rawlings and the boy. Her memory of Richard was
accurate but she had not been able to see his eyes or the profile of his face
from the front. “Step forward Richard and greet your new governess.” Lady
Rawlings pushed the boy forward until he was stood directly in front of Jane.
Jane placed her hand under his chin and raised his head so that she could look
directly into his eyes. “I am Miss Marwood… your Governess.” She spoke slowly
and insistently as she revelled in her first contact with the boy. I am going to
be teaching you your lessons and I want you to work hard and be obedient… do
you understand?” Richard nodded his head. “Yes Miss Marwood.”
“Well done, you need not call me Miss Marwood unless you want to attract my
attention, please address me as Miss when answering my questions.”
“Yes Miss.” Richard’s face had coloured up at the touch of her hand and her
steady gaze. He was completely mesmerised by her beauty. Her gentle touch
against his face had made him dizzy. He looked at her through a haze of
embarrassment, not daring to catch her eye.
” Right you can go and sit at that desk over there, you will see that your books
are in the drawers at each side. We will be starting with English, so if you
would like to find your books for that subject while I see Her Ladyship out.
Jane followed Lady Rawlings out of the study and closed the door behind her.
“Please call me Victoria, I only get called Her Ladyship by officials or
peasants.” She laughed as Jane took her arm. “He looks everything I expected and
his demeanour is perfect. I shall need about three weeks before I first start
to mould him. As we discussed he needs to feel secure and loving towards me
before I can begin to influence his nature.” Victoria smiled. “I understand
perfectly and I know attention to detail is as important to you as it is to me.
Would you like me to send Wendy in at eleven with morning tea? I already know
the arrangements you would like for Richard.”
“That would be fine I will ring if there is anything else.”
Richard sorted through his books but his mind was in a turmoil. He had felt
clumsy and awkward standing before her and what was worse he knew he could not
help himself. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. His feelings
of inferiority were such that he found it almost impossible to articulate.
Jane had dressed impeccably for the occasion she wore a blue silk shirt with a
large cameo broach at the collar. Her skirt was fine blue cotton with pleats at
either side. Her tanned legs were covered in sheer silk, which accentuated their
perfection. Jane had deliberately worn high heels so that she would have extra
height. The dark blue of the Italian leather neatly encased her dainty feet.
Jane re-entered the study, which her ladyship had carefully set out. The large
desk faced the smaller one squarely, they were set about six feet apart. Her
ladyships attention to detail and been impeccable. Pens, exercise books and
paper had been supplied to both desks. A carafe of water had been placed on the
corner of her desk next to a bell push. Jane sat down, her fingers brushing over
the fine yew surround of the desk and on to the thick leather covered top. She
looked across at Richard who sat expectantly with his English text and exercise
books open. Jane did not speak but looked intently at the boy, watching him
blush as he met her gaze. She looked down and opened the middle drawer of her
desk. She had to stifle a giggle as she saw all of her canes had been neatly
laid on the green baize of the drawer lining. On top of the canes was a hand
written note. “Enjoy… V” Jane smiled to herself and closed the drawer. She
looked up and addressed Richard. “Come and stand by my side and show me your
text and exercise books will you Richard.” Her voice was cool and precise. She
watched him get up from his desk, noticing his grey worsted jacket and grey
short trousers were obviously brand new and being worn for the first time.
Richard walked forward and stood at the side of her desk. She leaned her body
towards him and put her arm around his legs drawing him closer until his body
was touching hers. She kept her hand on his thigh, feeling the warmth of his
body though the material of his short trousers. “Now show me where you are up
to.” Jane spoke softly almost intimately to him as he placed his books upon her
desk. “Er.. I am up to here.” Richard pointed to a passage from the test book.
“We were doing comprehension Miss.” Jane smiled sweetly, looking up into his
face. Richard turned his head toward her, aware of her gaze. She felt a thrill
as he blushed profusely, quickly turning his head back to the books in front of
them. Jane looked at the text and pointed with her pretty fingers at the start
of the passage of text. Read this chapter for me Richard, I want to see if you
pronounce the words correctly. You can pick up the text book and stand up
straight. She could feel the boy’s discomfort and embarrassment emanating from
him as she slowly let her hand trail down over his short trousers and on to his
bare thigh. She lightly played her fingers up and down his leg as he began to
read. His voice was almost trembling as he started the first passage. “Clear
your throat Richard and start again… a little louder and firmer this time.”
Richard straightened his shoulders and held the book up higher as if it would
project his voice further. Jane relaxed her body as the boy began to read. His
voice was clear and his pronunciation good although Jane thought, his accent
could do with a lot of modification. Gently she stroked his thigh her fingers
occasionally pushing up beneath the trouser leg. Richard was blushing a bright
crimson by the time he had finished the chapter. Jane let go of his legs and
leaned back in her chair, her breasts thrusting against the silk of her dark
blue blouse as she altered her position. “Very good for a first attempt Richard.
Go and sit down and write an explanation of what Sheridan meant to say by
introducing that character. Do you understand what to do?”
“Er Yes Miss I think I understand.” Richard stammered as he stumbled rather than
walked back to his chair. Jane watched him as he left her desk, she was almost
sure she could detect a slight bulge in his trousers.
Richard worked silently he had had no time to crystallise his thoughts about his
new governess. He was embarrassed to distraction by her beauty and could not
bring himself to look her in the eye.
They both sat in silence as the hours passed by. Richard had become absorbed in
his work and was determined to do his best. Jane watched as he wrote his
paragraphs on to spare sheets of paper, altering them several times before
finally copying them to his exercise book. Jane sat at her desk writing busily.
Rather than leave anything to chance she was composing a programme of events to
give to Her Ladyship. She had already laid out a profile of what would be
happening with Richard over the coming weeks, this was already several pages
long. She was now composing a programme of events and suggestions with regard to
the rest of the household staff. She had talked with Lady Rawlings the previous
evening and explained that her acceptance within the household must not just be
based on authority alone. Much of what she was now writing clarified and
recorded their conversation.