Page 4 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
She shook her head decisively. “I fear I might be already late, which in turn might leave a bad first impression. I have not a moment to spare. I must make haste, even if that means traversing through the woods.”
The man sighed, looking defeated by her words. He proceeded to retrieve a small lantern from the carriage. Its warm glow flickered to life, casting a protective, almost angelic circle of light around her. The soft, amber hue seemed to dance with the shadows as she held the lantern aloft. She relished its soft light, almost like a reassuring embrace that would keep her warm in the cold night.
“Please…be careful, miss,” he cautioned her once more. “May the light be your shield on this journey and keep the darknessfar away. The manor isn’t far, that much is true, but…tread with care.”
She could hear the fear and concern in his voice, but not even that dissuaded her. She had to keep going, no matter what. With a nod of gratitude, Amelia took the lantern in one hand and her valise in the other, setting forth on the muddy path toward Ravenscroft Manor. The mud sucked at her boots with a disconcerting squelch, making each movement a deliberate effort. The darkness magnified the challenge, the muck transforming into an abyss of uncertainty as she pressed forward.
The night, wrapped in an inky cloak, pressed in from all sides, and the rustling leaves overhead whispered secrets that seemed to dance just beyond the edge of her perception. The trees, their branches contorted in eerie shapes, cast long shadows that played tricks on Amelia’s imagination. Every subtle sound—the creaking of branches, the distant hoot of an owl, the murmur of unseen creatures—contributed to the atmosphere of quiet suspense.
Amelia couldn’t help but feel a shiver of fear crawl up her spine, the isolation of the night magnifying every rustle and creak. She reminded herself to be reasonable, to attribute the unease to the unfamiliarity of the surroundings rather than succumbing to the tales of curses and apparitions.
Her lantern, a solitary beacon in the dark, painted a limited radius of visibility around her. Beyond its comforting glow,the night remained a mysterious expanse, and the looming silhouette of Ravenscroft Manor became more pronounced as she drew nearer. The ivy-covered walls seemed to absorb the light, adding to the eerie beauty of the ancient estate.
As Amelia approached the imposing entrance of Ravenscroft Manor, the lantern’s glow flickering in the muted night, she summoned her courage and rapped the heavy knocker against the sturdy door. The sound echoed in the stillness, a solitary signal that resonated through the grandeur of the ancient estate.
She wondered silently if she would find here what she had been so desperately searching for.
Chapter 3
Moments later, the old wooden door creaked open, revealing a well-dressed butler standing on the threshold. His countenance was as stoic as the stone facade of the manor, and his sharp gaze met Amelia’s with an air of formality, while his eyes spoke more than his lips ever could.
Before he could say anything, she felt the need to explain why she had arrived so late. First impressions were crucial, she knew this well, and the butler was the first person who had greeted her here.
“Good evening,” she smiled a little nervously, feeling already tongue-tied. “I apologize for arriving so late, but you see, my carriage got stuck in the mud, and I had to walk a portion of the road.”
The butler eyed her without any expression, when a flicker of recognition appeared in his eyes. “Ah, you must be Miss Wycliffe.”
“Yes.” She smiled more warmly this time in an effort to fight off her growing apprehension. “Amelia Wycliffe.”
He nodded upon hearing her name, but he did not use it to address her. “Please, follow—” he started, but he wasn’t allowed to finish because someone shouted Amelia’s last name so loudly that it reverberated throughout the entire manor house, like an arrow of sound piercing right through Amelia’s ears.
“Miss Wycliffe?” A tiny little voice called out, but it was still loud enough to fill the air around them. “Is that her?”
A moment later, the butler was suddenly displaced by a burst of pure energy. A beautiful young girl with lively eyes and an infectious smile replaced him, squealing with delight at the sight of Amelia, seemingly having appeared out of thin air.
“Miss Wycliffe! Oh, I’ve been so excited for your arrival!” the girl exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable as she introduced herself, clapping her two little hands together several times. “My name is Anna, and I am so happy you are here!”
Before Amelia could respond, Anna threw her arms around her in an impulsive hug, the warmth of genuine joy radiating from the young girl. Their laughter filled the large corridor, creating an unexpected contrast to the stately silence that usually enveloped such a grand estate.
Amelia, accepting this sudden burst of joy, returned the embrace, which was strangely soothing on this odd night thatseemed to hold even more mystery ahead of her. “I am also happy to be here, Anna.”
“How was your trip?” Anna pulled away, asking a million questions. “Was it long? Did you bring something to read? Or do you prefer to look out the window when you travel? I like to look out the window. It’s nice. I like to look at the trees and the sun…oh, and the lake! There is a lake here, you know. It is so lovely, especially in the springtime when the wildflowers blossom all around it. Oh, but you must see it for yourself!”
The two of them, caught up in the spontaneity of the moment, shared genuine laughter that echoed through the halls. However, in the midst of their joyous encounter, it became apparent that Amelia’s once-pristine dress had borne the brunt of the mud-laden journey. As Anna pulled back from the hug, a realization flashed across her face.
“Oh, dear! I’ve managed to get mud on myself from your dress. My apologies!” Anna exclaimed, still with that joyous gleam in her eyes. Amelia couldn’t help but feel a surge of tenderness for this sweet girl who was apologizing for something that was not her fault at all. It was Amelia’s for being late, for coming here, appearing completely the opposite of what a well-respected governess ought to appear.
“Anna!”
A thunderous voice tore them apart from each other. The laughter ceased immediately, and a hush settled over the scene as if a dark cloud had descended, ruining what was moments ago a perfectly sunny day.
“Is that any way to behave in front of guests?” the man demanded, and momentarily, Anna looked down at her feet, obviously feeling ashamed.
“Oh, please…this is all my fault,” Amelia started, feeling at a loss for words.
The man didn’t introduce himself. But then again, he did not need any introduction. Amelia knew very well who he was simply from the way he held himself. She also knew that she couldn’t allow the earl to chastise this sweet little girl, as she had brought a breath of fresh air to Amelia’s very existence.
“The carriage got stuck in the mud,” she explained. “And that is why I was late. Your niece was simply impatient to meet me, as was I to meet her, so please, do not hold this against her. It is all my fault, really.”
