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“Do you think I would allow you to leave, my darling? I think I can use this opportunity to teach a beautiful governess like you many things you are unaware of,” he said, licking his lips.

Elizabeth realized that her worst fear had come true. She knew she could yell for help, but it would be too late.

“I warn you to step back. You will have to hang your head in shame in front of your relations if I call them now.”

“Oh! Really? Why don’t you try? I have dreamt about having you since I set my eyes on you. You are not meant to be a governess but meant to be my mistress. Come here,” he said and grabbed her hand forcefully and pulled her towards him for a kiss.

Elizabeth reacted quickly, reached for the candle on the nearby table, and shoved it into his face.

He cried out of pain and let go of her. She did not wait to see what had happened to him, but ran out of the library and rushed upstairs. She found Mrs. Brooks in the parlor.

“Good God! What happened?” she asked in horror, seeing Elizabeth as she was trembling.

Elizabeth told her everything and conveyed the horrific details of what happened in the library.

“He tried to compromise me,” she cried in dismay.

She saw the face of her employer turn red with anger.

“You said what?” Mrs. Brooks asked with disbelief.

Elizabeth stared at her, dumbstruck.

She does not believe me.

“I told you every gruesome detail. He has been talking to me with some hidden agenda since we met, and today, he attempted to ruin me.”

“Stop it! You are talking about an honorable man. I will not let you ruin his reputation.”

“His reputation? He tried to ruin mine.”

“You are lying, and I never knew you could do such a thing.”

“Mrs. Brooks, why should I lie? What am I to get out of this?”

“I do not know, and I do not know why you would say such a thing,” she cried and left downstairs.

Elizabeth did not have the strength to follow her.

She went to her room, locked the door, and sat devastated. She was angry with herself for trusting the people around her.

Why didn’t she believe me? Just because I am a governess?

I think Mr. Brooks will believe me; she is blinded by affection for her cousin.

She washed her face and headed downstairs. The servant directed her to the study.

She entered to find both husband and wife waiting for her. From the look on their faces, Elizabeth instantly knew that Mr. Dean was considered innocent.

“How dare you harm him? Are you insane?” Mrs. Brooks asked.

“I had to do it to save myself.”

“Enough! You are lying.”

“I am not. What am I to get out of it?”

“Simon told me the truth. He told me that you asked him if you could be his mistress, and when he denied it, you hurt him, and now you are turning the tables on him.”

Elizabeth looked at her in shock.

“Do you... do you believe him?”

“Of course I do. I have known him since we were young and know about people like you too. You cannot be satisfied with a decent income, and you want more,” Mrs. Brooks cried in spite.

“Please watch your words, madam. I had the greatest respect for you, but now I don’t. What do you know about me to accuse me of such immorality?”

“Why you are an orphan. Who knows what you did before?”

Elizabeth trembled with anger as she heard the horrible accusation.

“Do you believe your wife, sir?” she finally asked, looking at her husband.

He looked at her with regret and confusion but said nothing.

“Thank you, sir. I understand you do not give me the benefit of the doubt. But I am telling you again that your cousin is a rake, and if I were you, I would not allow him even near Clara,” she said, looking at his wife.

“Be quiet!” Mrs. Brooks yelled back.

“I will not. If not, today, someday you will realize the truth in my words. I don’t think I am required to prove anything to you about my character.

I know who I am, and you have trusted me with your children for so many weeks.

By not believing me now, you only mock your sense of judgement. I will no longer work for you.”

“Yes! We do not want you to. Leave at the break of dawn, and I will make sure you do not get employed anywhere,” Mrs. Brooks cried.

“Do whatever you can, and I do not care,” she said, trying to leave.

“Wait,” Mr. Brooks cried, holding an envelope for her to take.

“Miss Smith, this is the money we owe you for this month,” he said, looking forlorn.

“Thank you, but I do not want it. You may use it to treat Mr. Dean’s wound, and I am certain this won’t be his last,” she said, leaving them.

She hardly slept that night, packed her belongings, and left early the next morning. She found it extremely hard to leave without seeing the children.

I would not be permitted near them.

One of the servants offered to assist her to the coach.

“We are sorry to see you leave, Miss Smith, as the children have been happy after your arrival,” the servant girl said as they walked out of the house.

“I think they will find another good governess soon,” she said, revealing nothing else. However disheartened she felt about her employers, she did not want to talk ill of them.

She felt guilty to return to Charlotte’s house again, but she had no other choice.

I never thought this would happen to me again. Why are people this way? Why can I not trust anyone around me?

She entered Charlotte’s home with guilt, and the servant led her into the parlor. Elizabeth froze when she entered the room, seeing Charlotte seated with someone else.

Impossible!

“Aunt Gardiner!”