Read 103. She Wanted Love for Free Online

stand her goings-on,” the assistant said. “And they comes back here saying if they was paid all the money in China they wouldn’t stay another day with her.”
    “Now don’t put Miss Lawson off before she’s even begun,” Mrs. Hill came back sharply. “We’ve no one else to send, Gertie, so stop making it even more difficult.”
    As if rebuked, Gertie disappeared behind the desk.
    “We’ve been looking after the Marquis’s staff for some years,” Mrs. Hill said. “There’s nothing wrong with the Marquis, it’s his daughter who’s the trouble.
    “Is she a child?” Eleta asked.
    “She’s a child all right, just nine years of age and, if you ask me, she’s a real horror. At the same time she’s the Marquis’s daughter and we have to find her a Governess, although Heaven knows where we can find another one.”
    “I told you, if you remember,” Eleta said quietly, “I want to be a Governess, but you said I was too young.”
    “Well, you certainly look too young to me,” Mrs. Hill replied, as if to justify herself. “But the post’s open at the moment if you would like to try your hand at it. I must be honest, seeing as you’ve got such good references.”
    “What is wrong?” Eleta enquired.
    “You would think a child of nine would be easy to handle, but she’s set herself against any form of learning and Governess after Governess has failed to make her even learn the alphabet, let alone anything else.”
    Eleta could hardly believe that this was true.
    “What is wrong with the child?”
    “There’s nothing wrong at all as far as her health’s concerned. The Marquis is a charming man, but he can no more control his daughter than turn back the tide.”
    “It sounds very strange to me,” Eleta said. “But I am prepared to try my hand at teaching the child and – who knows – I might succeed where the others have failed.”
    “I’ll give you a medal for valour if you do,” Mrs. Hill answered. “Isn’t that true, Gertie?”
    The assistant put her head round the desk again.
    “I wouldn’t bet on anyone succeeding where that child’s concerned, but let Miss Lawson have a go. There’s no one else on our books at present as you well know.”
    Mrs. Hill hesitated for a moment.
    “Well, you’ll be doing us a big favour as well as yourself. If you succeed, all I can say is that I’ll bless you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet!”
    Eleta laughed.
    “That does sound very encouraging and I can only promise that you I will do my best. But do tell me a little more about the Marquis and his daughter.”
    “He’s a very nice gentleman and I’m sorrier for him than I am for anyone else. His wife died having this child and I’ve heard, although it may not be true, that he’s sworn he’ll never marry again.
    “There’s plenty ready to wear the Teringford jewels if only he’d ask them. It’s a real shame that young man who’s lost his wife should have a child like his.”
    “Where does he live?” Eleta asked, hoping it was not in London.
    “He’s got a house in Hertfordshire which I’m told is one of the finest and most impressive houses in England. He also has a big mansion in Park Lane and, when he gives parties, I read about them in The Court Circular and the smart people of London are his guests.”
    “So his daughter is in the country?” Eleta asked.
    She wanted to make sure that she would not have to be in London, as Park Lane was too near to her own home.
    “Yes, the child is in the country and you’d think she’d be happy there with her father’s horses. It’s only fair to tell you that we’ve sent no less than five Governesses who’ve all come back and said they’d rather starve than put up with that child for another moment.”
    “Don’t put her off having a try,” Gertie cautioned.
    “You are not putting me off,” Eleta came in. “I am perfectly willing to have a go and I only hope for your sake as well as mine that I will be