be ashamed. No one here would dare judge you."
"But what will happen to Betsy?" Miss Thatcher asked having little care for her own wellbeing when the child's was jeopardised again.
"I suppose I will have to find another school," Lord John said with a heavy sigh.
"I could stay here with her," Miss Thatcher took a chance in blurting out.
"I appreciate that, Miss Thatcher, but you won't be able to have the things you’re accustomed to in my current situation."
"I don't mind at all," Bridget said quickly. "Whatever you were to pay the school is enough for me. I don't want for much."
"But I have no means to hire a caretaker for Betsy."
"I have been taking over those duties since we left the Smeltings' home. I am fine with taking them on as well," Miss Thatcher interjected. "And I know how important your work is. I would make sure that we were out of your way. I promise we wouldn't disturb you one bit," she continued hurriedly.
"Why? Why would you be willing to do all this? Betsy is no relation to you. It just makes no sense to me that you would be willing to sacrifice so much for someone else's child."
"I love her," Bridget said flatly. "Sending her to a boarding school would be so devastating. She has already lost so much. I can't bear to see her lose more. I would do anything to keep her in a home where she is wanted and loved."
Lord John thought over what Miss Thatcher was suggesting for a few moments. He knew it would be an ideal situation for the child. If today was a precursor for what was to come, he was sure he could still meet his goal in time, even with her in the house.
He couldn't help but feel elated at the fact that Miss Thatcher would be staying with him as well. The fact that she had such an attachment to Betsy only endeared her to him more. She clearly was a woman who had gone through great struggle and hardship in her life. Instead of making her bitter or hardened against the world, she had sought little lights of goodness and attached herself to them.
"If you would like to stay," Lord John said softly, "Then I find no reason to object for the time being. I hope you will find 35 pounds a year sufficient for your needs."
"But that is far more than Miss Heartfelt's charges, to be sure. I don't want you to extend yourself beyond your means on my account," Bridget retorted quickly.
"To be honest, it is more, and a bit of a stretch. But you will be doing far more than the regular job of a governess and in a very unique situation. So, I must insist on giving no less. In fact, if I could, I would give you a great deal more," Lord John finished, slightly under his breath.
"I am simply happy that I can stay with Betsy. It's all I wished for," Miss Thatcher said, her face lighting up again.
A small fluttering entered at the base of Lord John's stomach seeing the happiness he produced in Miss Thatcher. To be honest, it created a great deal of joy within himself as well.
Chapter 8
Bridget liked to think that Betsy was settling in well to her new home since their arrival a month earlier. Since her presence was to be a permanent one, Mrs. Smith had insisted that one of the other rooms be opened up for her use. Bridget had tried to explain she had little need for her own room, but with the housekeeper’s insistence, she had taken it away.
She had worked out what she considered a robust schedule for the child in their new circumstances. Bridget was always one to rise early, and Betsy was likewise. Every morning she entered the child’s room to find her playing quietly with her things. Together they would get Betsy ready for the day and head down to breakfast.
Almost every morning, the meal would be shared with Mrs. Smith and Lord John, though from time to time, the later might already be in his office working. In confidence, Mrs. Smith mentioned that she felt the added members of the house had already improved his success at writing.
After their morning meal, Bridget would take her pupil to the library where they would do their best to work without causing a disturbance. It was the time of day that Bridget worried the most. There was only one