Betsy. She had started with the child three years ago, but in Bridget's mind, there were so few happy memories before this. Betsy had been her first pupil since leaving her training at Miss Heartfelt’s Seminary for Pious Young Ladies.
Even at the thought of the place, Bridget unconsciously tugged on the long sleeves of her dress. It was no surprise to Bridget that she had so little fond memories before Betsy. She had arrived at Miss Heartfelt's when she was only six and had never seen the outside world again until her twentieth birthday, and subsequent employment acquired.
Bridget was sure that her hesitancy in leaving Betsy was more to do with the fact that she feared to return to a life of misery, sadness and constant railings from superiors. She did her best to assure herself that families like the Smeltings with children such as Betsy were not the anomaly but the norm. She was sure to find another employment and love the child and enjoy her time just as much as she had done with them.
Hesitating in her thought, Bridget looked back at the sleeping child. In all honesty, she wasn't sure if that notion was altogether right. Even worse, if it was, she wasn't entirely sure she would still be willing to give up Betsy despite having other good prospects.
She was sure that her desires to stay with Betsy were purely selfish. Yes, she was the only living soul left from Betsy's past life, and Bridget liked to think that made her a necessary comfort. But the reality was that she was at the place her parents knew she would be best looked after. The child's expression at seeing Lord John was proof enough to Bridget that Betsy's new life would have just as much joy and happiness as her past.
Lord John seemed to keep well-meaning staff who knew the family well and already started to warm to the little girl. Bridget knew that of all the possible situations after the death of parents Betsy had been one of the few to end up in a good place.
That being said, it was still a strange situation that the child had been given to Lord John to look after and not the dowager duchess or her eldest son, the duke. Certainly, propriety would suggest that one of them would be most suited to ensure the best life for Betsy.
Bridget took a moment as these thoughts raced through her mind to consider what she had surmised of Lord John so far. His unseen person had been the focus of many of her nights since the Smeltings' death. She had heard enough about him from her employer to have a relatively good image of him in her mind's eye.
Still, even with the physical and character description formed from the Smeltings' observations, it had not entirely done him justice. Bridget was not sure she had ever seen a man so tall and imposing at first glance. With broad shoulders and thick muscular arms, he had moved surprisingly smoothly as he had entertained his two guests in the parlour.
Even his face, though Mrs. Smelting had described it as handsome, had been a distracting difference from the image in her head. He had the angular facade that could only be rivalled by Greek and Roman Gods. In fact, she had been utterly surprised that he was unattached once gazing upon him. She was sure many ladies of the Ton would have tried to alter that despite being an untitled lord.
She sensed he would do well by Betsy but had no idea if that would include her staying in the child's life. Would the living of one such as he provide the means to have a governess for the girl? In all honesty, Bridget would even be willing to take a severe cut to the generous pay Mr. Smelting had given her, if only it meant that she could stay with Betsy.
It may only be that her fondness and attachment to Betsy was nothing more than that of a governess and her first pupil. Still, Bridget was almost sure that her love for Betsy was far more profound than that.
Finally, she settled herself to the realisation that no amount of thought or speculation would qualify her inevitable questions, at least not tonight. She rose from the chair and prepared herself for sleep. Opening the carpetbag, she pulled out the few precious objects Bridget had insisted to not leave their side throughout their travelling.
First, she removed