balance between the two worlds. Yet, she had felt adrift in her world, not knowing exactly who she was or what to do. She was neither working class nor middle class, but somewhere in between and this uncertainty only increased when fate came and claimed her parents. She had no one and nothing left. Then she saw the advertisement to be a governess in the far reaches of England’s empire…Australia, and Miss Rye’s speech did the rest.
“Were you born here?” Frances asked as Pierre, curiously dressed in white trousers and shirt, placed a tray on the table. He gave them a stiff bow and without speaking left them.
“No. I’ve only been in this country a short time.” Nicola accepted the coffee that Frances poured for her. The tray held a plate of delicate pastries and she took one, suddenly feeling very hungry. The tart, filled with apple and cream, sticky and sweet, melted in her mouth. “This is good.”
Frances winked. “I told you. But don’t let it become common knowledge or Pierre will have a seizure. He likes to keep it all on the quiet lest his past catches up with him.”
Nodding, Nicola smiled and took another bite. “What about you? Have you always lived here?”
“Lord, no. I escaped England and my parents last year and followed my brother here, much to his surprise.”
“Escaped?” Fascinated, Nicola stared at her.
“Yes, escaped. Sounds tragic, doesn’t it? I escaped my parents’ noose-like hold on me and I escaped their wealth, which trapped me much more securely than poverty ever could.” Frances sipped her black coffee. “My parents insisted I marry some son of a political friend that would further my father’s interests in the government. I refused and my life became hell. You see, my parents didn’t like their children much and saw us as pawns to be used in games of wealth and power. I’d watched the way they used my oldest brother for advancement by making him marry a rich heiress. They wanted my second brother, Nat, to do the same, but he denied them the chance by purposely ruining his reputation. In the end they shunned him and he became bitter.”
“How sad.”
“Yes.” A wistful expression flittered across her face. “I love my brother but my parents have done lasting damage to him. They treated him like something foul they’d trodden in. He changed from the laughing carefree brother I knew to a cynical sour man. When he left home, vowing to never return, I knew that my life would alter and that my parents would use me as their next project to gain more wealth and recognition. I couldn’t let that happen. My brother wrote to me, thank God. And as soon as I could, I joined him here.”
“And now you’re free.”
“And now I’m poor!” Frances laughed and played with her teaspoon. “Nat has done well and keeps me alive but I hate asking him for anything. My family has a history of taking and not giving. I refuse to act the same. However, he gives me an allowance and I use it to help the poor. I wanted to work but he wouldn’t let me. So I do charity work instead.”
“And the rights campaign?”
“That’s something I do in my spare time, when I can. I’m passionate about it, but feeding the starving is more important at this present time. Anyway, enough about me.” She shook her head. “I’ve not talked so much about myself in my life. You must have a way with you.”
Nicola paused from taking a sip of coffee and thought about it. “Actually, you could be right. People have always talked to me; my parents, my father’s pupils, the neighbours. I’m happy to listen.”
“So tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to say. I’m a governess looking for work.”
Frances scowled. “Another governess. There is barely enough work for the ones already here, do you know that?”
“Yes. I do now.” Sighing, Nicola glanced down at her small plate and its scattering of crumbs. “Most positions advertised have a hundred or more women applying for them.”
“I see a lot of women in dire trouble at the soup kitchen. Too many come out here thinking they have permanent employment, only to find they have nothing and no one.” Frances drained her coffee and from her pocket pulled out a small watch on a chain. “I’ve got to go.”
“Yes, of course. I too have been out longer than expected.” Nicola rose and fished in her purse for coins.
“No, leave that. Pierre and