Bab 9: Am I cheap?
"SKELLINGTON TOWN!"
The coachman shouted, pulling the reins of the two horses.
"STOP FOR SKELLINGTON TOWN!" he repeated so that the passengers, who were supposed to get down, heard him.
The carriage door opened, and Eve stepped down from it. She brought the letter in front of her to read the address of the family's mansion and started to walk.
"So beautiful," Eve murmured to herself when on her way, her eyes fell on a faded fountain of dragon statues. Clean water sprayed through the dragon's mouths.
Some people of Skellington spared a glance at Eve before looking away. While some looked at the young woman with a curious look, wondering what a commoner like herself was doing in a town to which she obviously didn't belong. It wasn't because of her clothes or the way she appeared, but because of the dowdy purple umbrella in her hand.
On reaching the average-sized mansion, surrounded by a decent looking fence, she walked past the gates and made her way towards the already opened door. The mansion's butler appeared at the door.
Eve offered him a slight bow and introduced, "I am Genevieve Barlow. I am here to see Mrs. Walsh for the interview for the governess job that she had fixed today."
The butler nodded, stepping aside, and he offered, "Let me take your—umbrella," he said when his eyes fell on her hand. She hadn't been interviewed yet, but she could already see the butler judging her.
"Careful with it," Eve smiled, handing the umbrella.
"Madame Jennifer is busy at the moment, speaking to one of the women who has applied for the same job. Please follow me and wait until you are called," informed the butler, leading her towards the hallway, where chairs had been placed near the wall.
Apart from Eve, three more women were sitting in the hallways who had arrived earlier than her. They were all above thirty-five or forty in age. Sitting poised, with their backs straight and their expressions serious. Not to mention, they even wore glasses on their face to fit the part.
Eve took a deep breath, assuring herself that she would get the job this time. Her education was perfect, and she was passionate about the job. An hour passed, and two more women were interviewed. Patiently, she sat there, waiting for her turn.
Sitting not too far away from the entrance of the mansion, Eve heard the butler greet someone,
"Welcome back, Mr. Walsh. Would you like me to tell the maids to prepare refreshments for you?"
Footsteps approached towards where Eve and another woman continued to wait. A man, probably in his mid-fifties, appeared, with the butler following behind him. Eve and the other woman stood up, their heads slightly bowed.
Mr. Walsh responded, "Yes. Send it over to my study room. Where is Jennifier?"
"Madame Jennifer is talking to one of the potential governesses, Sire. Would you like me to inform the lady about your return?" asked the butler, and the man waved his hand dismissively. Mr. Walsh and the butler walked past the two women without sparing a word.
Eve took her seat back on the chair, taking a look at the expensive decor of the mansion. Every mansion and manor in this town was incomparable, and it felt like a whole different world. Not because of the size of the buildings, or the clean roads or expensive-looking clothes. But there was a certain air around the town that made a person who didn't belong here wary.
After a while, soon the butler appeared again after the woman who had earlier gone to meet Mrs. Walsh arrived in the hallways, only to leave.
"Mrs. Woods. Madame Jennifer will now meet you," the butler informed and led the woman in the direction from where he had come.
And once they left, Eve was the only one sitting there. Five minutes later, the butler arrived again and said,
"Ms. Barlow."
Eve was surprised that Mrs. Walsh would interview her and the other woman together. She quietly followed the butler while her eyes took in her surroundings. They walked through the corridors before the butler paused in front of a door and pushed the door open for her to step in.
When Eve stepped inside the room, the door quietly shut behind her. Instead of Mrs. Walsh, she found Mr. Walsh sitting behind the desk.
She offered him a small bow, to which he nodded.
"My wife has her hands full, and it would be better if I finish the process on behalf of her than burden her. I hope you don't mind. Take a seat, Ms. Barlow," said Mr. Walsh, bringing his hand forward and pointing it towards one of the empty chairs in front of him.
"No, I don't, Mr. Walsh," replied Eve. She walked towards the chair and took a seat while smoothing her skirt.
Mr. Walsh went through her file, flipping through the pages, and after a while, he said, "It states here that you don't have any prior experience, and the only recommendation letters you have is from the town we don't frequent to." He placed it back on the desk as if unhappy with her file and looked at her. "What makes you think you are more suitable for this job than the others who have already been interviewed. Women who were former governesses, with much better experience and knowledge."
Eve was used to this look, enough that it didn't deter her. She spoke politely,
"It is true that they have experience working as a governess. And giving your child under the care of an inexperienced governess, to be taught and guided is daunting. But I can give you my word that even though I lack a few things compared to those governess, I make up for it. Being closer to the age of the children than the others, I believe I am more in tune and understand them better."
Mr. Walsh, who heard what Eve had said, joined his hands, placing it on the surface of the desk.
"Ms. Barlow, you should know that understanding children's minds isn't enough. One needs to know how to handle them, and as I have already said, your… recommendation is from Meadow town."
"If you take a look at my educational qualifications, you will notice that I have passed through with excellent grades," replied Eve, noticing how the man looked as if he was ready to ask her to leave any minute. She said, "If you and your wife are willing, I wouldn't mind working for free for a month. And if you both approve of my work, maybe you can decide then."
There was a hopeful look in Eve's eyes.
Mr. Walsh wore a small frown as if gauging Eve's words, and for a few seconds, he stared at the surface of the table in thought. He said,
"We expect a governess who definitely has a high education and is aware of what she is doing. I cannot promise, but I shall speak to my wife about it."
Eve's blue eyes lit up in joy, and a smile spread on her lips, "Thank you so much, Mr. Walsh! I won't let you and your wife down!" she spoke in slight excitement. She couldn't believe that she had finally got a chance. And this time, she didn't even break any vase or pour tea on someone's hand! God must be blessing her finally!
When Mr. Walsh got up from his seat, Eve was about to get up too, but he waved his hand for her to continue to sit down. The man said,
"You are expected to come work here from twelve in the noon to six in the evening. Of course, you will have your breaks in between, as there are other tutors who will be coming in to teach. I have a better job for you at that time."
The smile on Eve's lips continued to stay, happy that she would be coming here to work. She would finally be a governess.
But then Mr. Walsh, who had left his seat, had come behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He said,
"Mrs. Walsh is used to attending mid-noon tea parties, and I can use that time with you," his hands squeezed her shoulders.
Eve's body froze, and the smile on her face slipped.
Mr. Walsh didn't end his words there and continued to speak, "A woman from the town of Meadow, I am sure you wouldn't mind making some extra money on the side. After all, at the moment you will be working for us for free and it would be a pity. I don't want you to feel that we are using you," his hands continued to massage her shoulders.
"How much?"
"Huh?" asked Mr. Walsh, letting go of her shoulders and coming to the side.
"How much would you pay me?" asked Eve, her tone serious, staring back at him.
This time it was Mr. Walsh, who was pleased by Eve's words, and he smiled. Eve stood up to face him, and he answered, "How does two silver coins sound every month?"
"Two silver coins?" Eve asked him as if disappointed with the offer he made with her.
Noticing the displeased look on Eve's face, he decided to fix it and started, "Three sil—"
SLAP!
Mr. Walsh held his cheek in shock. His ear rang, and he was left speechless as Eve had slapped him, and she glared at him.
"W-what was that for?" Mr. Walsh glared back at her.
Eve asked him, "Do you think I am that cheap? Or if I am here to satisfy you?" She quickly made her way towards the door, but a maid had arrived at the door, carrying a tray of biscuits.
"How dare you slap me when you were the one who agreed for it!" Mr. Walsh turned aggressive with his ego hurt.
Eve gritted her teeth, and she continued to walk through the corridors while Mr. Walsh started to blame her, making a commotion. She picked up her umbrella on the stand and stepped through the main door.
"You slap me because I refused to give you the job of being a governess," the man had twisted his words, behaving innocently, while portraying her to be in the wrong.
A few people, who were outside the mansion, stopped to watch the little scene. After all, they had a lot of time on their hands.
Even Mrs. Walsh, who had finished interviewing the woman, came to her husband's side and noticed the red imprint of fingers on his right cheek.
"I offered you an invitation as a kind gesture. How ungrateful of you!" said Mrs. Walsh in dismay.
Eve stopped walking, clutching her umbrella tighter in her hand. She turned to look at the woman with pitiful eyes.
Mr. Walsh stepped forward and walked towards Eve. He threatened, "Speak about what happened, and I will make sure that no one will ever hire you or anywhere outside the town. Families here like to believe the people who live here, rather than those who come from the streets."
Eve raised her umbrella, and the man quickly took a few steps backwards. And he then glared at her. But she only opened the umbrella, letting the staff spring of the umbrella to rest on her shoulder.
It wasn't as if she wasn't aware of the rules of this world. And as much as she wanted to beat him with the umbrella, she was outside, and people were watching. She had already slapped him, and with that thought, she turned around and walked out of this place.
Mr. and Mrs. Walsh continued to scold the young woman, and during this time, someone stood at the far side with his servant, watching it. The man's silver hair was darker than the clouds in the sky today.
"Seems like governesses these days are greedy," the servant murmured under his breath while craning his neck.
"Send her an invitation to hire her," instructed the man, and he started to walk in the opposite direction.
"Huh?!" The servant looked back and forth before quickly following his master. "But she slapped Mr. Walsh and is greedy."
"We are all greedy, Alfie. And I think she will be perfect for our family," saying this, one side of the man's lips curled.
Bab 10: Inside the ceramic
On returning to her town, Eve muttered,
"One day I will show you that there are people like me, with a better character than what your wealth cannot amount to."
"How dare I? He should be happy I didn't beat him with my umbrella," she said to herself as she continued to walk towards her home. To think that the man had tried to threaten her after proposing such an absurd thing. "He needs a governess more than his child."
And while Eve continued to walk with quick footsteps, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed, she failed to notice that her muttering had gained the passerby's attention.
She had hoped that she would finally get the job. But to think that the man of the house had turned out to be such a disgraceful man, she wondered if all the wealthy folks were like this. She closed her eyes and muttered again,
"I am going to get scolded again because of that scum—"
"Which scum?" She heard a male voice, whom she was familiar with, and her eyes flew open.
Startled, she had almost crashed into him. Almost, thought Eve in her mind.
Two good steps away from her stood a tall man. His combed hair and eyes were black like the midnight sky without the stars or moon. A beauty mark rested below the corner of his right eye. The expression on his face was calm. And though he wore better clothes than most people in the town of Meadow, obviously because he didn't belong here, it was the kind smile on his lips that stood out in him.
Eve quickly took herself to greet the man by bowing her head, "Good afternoon, Mr. Sullivan."
"Good afternoon to you too, Ms. Barlow, but it seems like your day hasn't been that well," Mr. Sullivan's words were calm and collected. There was not a time when Eve could spot a single ruffled feather on him.
Noah Sullivan was the son of Duke of Woodlock. Though Eve had never met Senior Mr. Sullivan, she could only understand why Woodlock town was peaceful. One look at Noah, and it was enough to know that he was a man of honour. Almost twenty-nine in age, rumours had it that he would soon take his father's position.
"You seem upset," noted Noah, watching her with a relaxed smile.
Though Eve was only a fellow woman of the Meadow town, Noah and she had somehow turned acquainted with each other. And they enjoyed each other's company enough to share a few words when they caught sight of each other in the town.
Remembering the unpleasant incident, Eve pursed her lips and said, "It was just an unfortunate accident that wasn't taken into account this morning," while explaining, she waved her hand that had the umbrella that almost hit Noah if he didn't bring his hand forward to stop it gently. "I am sorry," she apologized, retracting her hand.
"Don't be," replied Noah, not offended, as he was used to Eve's possible accidents that came from her clumsiness or enthusiasm sometimes. Weighing the words he had earlier heard her speak, he said, "Sometimes, we can only foresee things that we have experienced, and it is impossible to take into account because life is unexpected, Ms. Barlow. I hope it wasn't another incident of you pouring tea on someone."
"You heard about it," muttered Eve, her cheeks turning slightly pink because he was the last person she wanted to know about what had happened. Noah was someone she looked up to.
A chuckle escaped from the man's lips, and he brought his hand in front of his mouth and cleared his throat. "You are the famous governess-who-poured-hot-tea," he informed her. "You are famous."
"I don't think I am looking for that kind of attention," Eve turned slightly embarrassed. Bad attention like that was making it harder for her to land a job in a good house.
She noticed Noah offer a slight bow to one of the men, who walked not too far away. And while her eyes wandered around, they fell on the two women, who stood on the other side of the street. They admired Noah from afar, whispering something between each other. And just when Noah's eyes met the women, he bowed his head, and the women did the same with a smile and a twinkle in their eyes before they hurried from there.
With the man who was going to be a Duke, he was also a fairly handsome man with polite manners, which had garnered him enough affection from the women in this town. Especially eager mothers who wanted to marry off their daughters to this eligible man.
"If you would like, I could talk to a few people and see who might be willing to hire you?" Noah offered to help her, but Eve shook her head.
"Aunt Aubrey wouldn't like it and I wouldn't want to impose on you," Eve smiled at Noah.
It wasn't that he hadn't offered it three months ago, but the young woman had refused it. As if she wanted to find a job without relying on anyone. Not wanting to force her, he gave her a nod.
For a moment, he parted his lips as if to ask her something.
Hearing the tower bell ring loudly, which resonated through, Noah said, "I should get going, Ms. Barlow. Like many other times, it was a pleasure talking to you. Let me know if you do need my help, my offer stands."
"Have a safe journey, Mr. Sullivan," Eve bowed. Noah smiled at her before walking away from there.
When Eve reached the house, she gingerly pushed the gate's latch and stepped inside with a dazed look. A sigh escaped from her lips. She was twenty-four, an age by which most women were married. But marriage wasn't what concerned her.
A scar was left behind many years ago… and she was looking for it. And she knew if there was a way to find it, it was by going through wealthy families. Her shoulders drooped, wondering how long it would be before landing a job.
Eugene, who had been watering the plants at the corner of the garden, noticed his young miss, who looked disappointed. It seemed like the lady had failed in her interview this time too.
Dropping the water can on the ground, he wiped his hand while walking toward the young lady. He welcomed her, "Welcome back, Lady Eve. How was the weather today?" He inquired.
"Quite harsh. For a moment I thought my umbrella would be damaged," replied Eve, and her eyes fell on the rosebuds of a nearby bush. "I thought it would take a week before the buds come. They already look pretty," she remarked, bending down to take a closer look.
"I made sure to fertilize the soil and put a plank above it for shelter. Would you like me to pluck one out for you when they bloom, milady?" Eugene asked.
Eve shook her head, "No. Let them be. I will take them when they are about to wither."
"Let me go make a glass of cold lemonade for you. I am sure you must be parched while being outside for so long," Eugene was the first to walk, and after five seconds, Eve left the side of the bushes and walked inside the house. He informed her, "Lady Aubrey has gone out to Mrs. Henley's house."
"I thought Mrs. Henley was going to have her family over," replied Eve as she started to climb the stairs.
Eugene craned his neck before stepping out of the kitchen and replied, "Oh, she does have her family over. Lady Aubrey said that Mrs. Henley's grandchildren have come over, and she wanted Lady Aubrey to meet them—Miss!"
Eve had lost one of her footings, and she quickly held the wooden railings. "I am fine," she replied, feeling her heart race.
"You should be careful while walking. The stairs are always the trickiest," there was worry in the servant's voice. As he knew what Eve was, he was aware of her legs that weakened at times.
"They are. God Bless Mr. Dawson's soul for building such strong walls and railings," Eve laughed, because with the number of times she had placed her hands on them in force, God only knew how nothing had broken yet. "I will take a bath. You can keep the lemonade on the dining table, Eugene."
The look of concern on Eugene's face didn't disappear, but he nodded, knowing the young miss would want some time for herself.
Reaching the room, she picked up her clothes and headed to the bath. But when she pulled out the ceramic vessel which held the salts… it was nearly empty.
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