More Than a Governess. Sarah Mallory

Lancashire, we will terminate the contract. She will learn little from me if we are constantly at loggerheads.’

      ‘Rousseau’s teachings, Miss Wrenn?’

      ‘Common sense, Major. I will do my best to make her like me, but you know that we cannot always order our affections.’

      ‘And you would have me tell her that she may decide once we get to Blackthorpe?’

      ‘Why, yes. I would like Gwendoline to know that I have no wish to inflict myself upon her against her will.’

      ‘But to leave then—you would be miles from your home, Miss Wrenn.’

      ‘I have no home now, sir,’ she said quietly. ‘There are no relatives to make it desirable for me to remain here. I can as easily find employment in the big towns of the north, and—’

      A scream and commotion behind them made her break off. Turning, Juliana saw that Tom and Amy had fallen some way behind, and Thomas was fighting with two larger boys while Amy stood behind him, screaming for help. Passersby hesitated, but the Major was there before any of them could act. Grabbing Thomas’s assailants by their ragged collars he pulled them away and banged their heads together. The two boys staggered back and, as the Major turned his attention to Thomas, they tore themselves free and took to their heels.