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“ N o! Clara! It is not time to play yet,” Elizabeth said.

“But Miss Smith, I finished reading the book. You said I could after I finished reading it.”

“I said you can play once you finish reading and writing the words I asked you to,” Elizabeth said firmly.

Clara looked at her with disappointment.

“My dear, you can easily write these words. Remember, we practiced these yesterday, too. I am certain you will get them right. Maybe we can paint your favorite flower today after doing our lessons.”

“Really? Is that a promise?” The little girl asked with excitement.

“It is,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

Adam looked at her and smiled also.

“You always find a way to convince my sister, Miss Smith. She never listens to any of us.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Mother says we never get along. She says I need to be patient with her, but I cannot be patient when she does not obey me when we play.”

“Adam, there is no use in trying to make her obey you. You can make her understand what you want to do and play with you without arguing. A little give and take will go a long way.”

“I will try. I am happy that you are not like our previous governess. She punished me once for what Clara did,” Adam said and winced at the memory.

It was a month since she had joined the family as the governess, and the children liked her exceedingly.

Mr. and Mrs. Brooks were happy with Elizabeth.

On the other hand, Elizabeth found her position very satisfying. Though Clara had been a little difficult to handle in the initial days, her patience and kindness helped to get the spirited child into a routine.

The family wanted Elizabeth to take meals with them.

Elizabeth found the couple to be very kind and friendly. According to her, everything was going well.

She wrote to Charlotte and expressed that she was content with the employment. In the nights, she fought hard to keep her thoughts away from Longbourn. She had sent a letter to Mary about the developments in town. Charlotte ensured the letter reached Mary through her sister, Mariah Lucas.

Being around two active children helped Elizabeth escape the torment of the past. All seemed well, but whenever she was addressed as Miss Smith, she felt a pang of guilt and shame, and the questions about her birth tormented her.

I hope Uncle Gardiner returns soon.

She often thought.

April brought many social engagements in the house where she was employed. They hosted several parties at home, and Mrs. Brooks forced Elizabeth to attend them.

“You must, Miss Smith. You are practically our family now, and I would not want to keep you away from an entertaining evening. You have devoted so much time towards the children.”

Elizabeth refused politely.

“I thought we had established a bond over the past month. But I understand you feel differently. You would not decline unless you feel I am your employer and nothing else,” she said, feeling hurt.

“No! That is not true. I have expressed numerous times how comfortable and happy you have made me feel in your home.”

“Then, why do you hesitate? Please join us tonight,” she asked, and Elizabeth reluctantly accepted.

She dressed that evening in one of the new gowns Charlotte had given her before she left and remembered the conversation with her friend.

“ Why would I need such gowns, Charlotte?”

“ Of course, you would need them. You may have to dress up for some social engagement.”

“ At my present state, who will invite me for one?”

“ Please, Lizzy, take them. When you use them, think of me and remind yourself that you have a whole beautiful life ahead of you.”

Elizabeth smiled at her reflection in the mirror and somehow felt more confident than nervous.

I have made it this far. I have tasted the air of independence .

She looked at the money she had earned from her employment, and tears filled her eyes.

But it was not tears of shame but joy, as Elizabeth was proud of herself and her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

“You have nobody. Where will you go? You have no one except us.”

You were wrong, Mamma! More than relations of the blood, I have built a friendship that has helped me survive.

The evening passed quickly, and Mrs. Brooks introduced Elizabeth to all her friends.

Some looked at her without care, and some conversed with her for the sake of their host.

Elizabeth did not care about anyone’s judgement. She wanted to be there for the sake of her employer, not to enjoy a social gathering.

Some men came forward to converse with her, and she heard blatant praise for her beauty.

What would Jane think if she found out about these compliments? she thought and smiled.

After sometime, she wondered if it would be disrespectful if she left the party early and headed to her room, and suddenly heard someone address her.

“I believe we have not been introduced,” she heard a voice behind her.

Elizabeth turned and stared into the eyes of a handsome man and tried to spot Mrs. Brooks in the crowd.

“Are you looking for my sister?” he asked with a grin.

“I am Tracy’s cousin,” he said with a charming smile.

Mrs. Brooks joined them.

“You have done it again, Simon. Have you not?” she asked.

“What are you accusing me of?”

“Of introducing yourself to my friends before I get the chance to do so. Miss Smith, may I introduce my cousin, Mr. Simon Dean, to you? This is Miss Smith. She has been a boon to our family and is the governess I wrote to you about.”

“Oh my! Why did we not have such an enchanting governess instead of old Mrs. Bailey,” he said and laughed.

His sister laughed along with him, and Elizabeth felt uncomfortable with his praise. As the evening progressed, she met numerous other acquaintances of her employer, and she thought she had navigated the evening better than anticipated. No one was interested in knowing more about her or her past.

In the next few days, Mr. Dean was a regular visitor to the house, and one day, Elizabeth saw him with the family during supper.

“Do you see how well-behaved the children are because of their governess?” Mrs. Brooks asked.

“Of course, I can see. Clara would hardly allow me to eat in peace before, and I am certain Miss Smith knows how to keep things in order,” Mr. Dean said.

Elizabeth looked at him, and there was something about the look on his face that unsettled her.

“Is this your first employment, Miss Smith?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“I don’t think lack of experience is affecting your teaching.”

“Absolutely not. You must see Adam’s progress; I am truly astounded,” Mr. Brooks said.

“Really? Then you must be proficient in several subjects,” he said with a rakish look on his face.

“More than being proficient, I am firm in many matters, sir. Apart from lessons, I am very particular about morals, behavior, and values. And when I see anything lacking in that area, I do not let it pass without correcting it,” she said, smiling at him.

Mr. Dean looked at her with confusion.

“But I must say Clara and Adam are wonderful children with good manners and values. I cannot give the credit to people who don’t deserve it,” she said with a piercing gaze at him.

That night, she felt uneasy for the first time in many weeks. She had found Mr. Dean’s words inappropriate. But she noticed that neither Mr. Brooks nor his wife found it ill-mannered.

I may be overreacting. No! I need to be vigilant; something about the man unsettles me.

She learned that Mr. Dean would be in town for some weeks, and Mrs. Brooks was all praise for her cousin.

“I have no siblings. I have always been very fond of Simon, and I am glad he is in town,” she said with emotion.

A few days later, she found him in the breakfast parlor.

“Good morning, Miss Smith. My God! You are a vision in the mornings, and I am fortunate to be here today.”

Elizabeth stared at him with irritation as no one else was present with them.

“You may wonder what I am doing here at this hour. Well, I am staying here until I head home,” he said with a look of victory.

“Would you not be happy to have lively company during the evenings?” he asked her with a smile.

Before she could reply, they were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Brooks.

“Good morning, cousin. I am so happy that you have decided to spend your last week in town with us. You will be sorely missed after you leave.”

“Oh! Do not worry, Tracy. I will leave lasting memories with each of you before that,” he said, looking at Elizabeth. She felt a shiver down her spine, but if at all she was intimidated, she did not show it.

She sat down to eat without betraying her thoughts.

He is trying to taunt me. I could tell her that I am uncomfortable around him. But will she believe me? Maybe men are like this, vulgar and uncouth. What am I to do? Leave this house? It is just a week, Elizabeth. Everything will be all right.

She reassured herself.

A few days passed swiftly, and Elizabeth ensured she did not stay alone in Mr. Dean’s company.

She usually spent much time in the library in the evenings without disturbance. But now, she did not want to take a chance. Elizabeth kept to her room and engaged with the children the whole day.

One evening, the children finished their lessons and played on the upper floor, and Elizabeth wanted to refer to some books in the library.

She wondered if she could spend a few minutes and take the books she needed.

She entered the library and found it empty, she quickly found the books and turned around to leave, but to her shock, Elizabeth saw him standing by the door.

Mr. Dean quickly closed the door behind him before she could protest.

“You have been very careful, Miss Smith. Those beautiful eyes have been watchful of my presence and carefully avoided me in all ways,” he said, walking towards her.

“What are you saying? Please allow me to leave,” she said and tried to leave but he blocked her way.