My butler must have said something. It's your first day so I believe you should enjoy your stay and lady Julia is my good friend. If you do your job as well as she says, then I believe you won't have a problem. I want my mansion to be as flawless as I am. It's not much to ask" she said now looking at Diane waiting for her to cower as others did or flee refusing to work. Well, this is Diane she had been through a lot to be cowered by the duchess. If there was anything she loved more, it was, it was a challenge.
"All I have to do is be on your good side, your grace." She said with the purest smile.
"Good"
"Thank you, your grace." She said with a little courtesy.
"Let me show you around. Feel honored for I have never done this before. She said with a side glance at Diane.
" for that your grace, I am. It's indeed my pleasure."
Diane was going to do anything in her power to be on her grace's good side. She wasn't going to be cowered by her.
"Do not be awed by the magnificent mansion child. It is indeed a beauty to behold. I'm sure with time, it would be nothing to you again. I lived my life fully committed to it. I derive joy in its magnificent beauty. I love when people talk about how it can't be overlooked. It always stands out as the best and my nephew will wonder why I so much derive so much joy in it and I will smile, for no matter how much I explain to him, Richards never understood, he only sees it as pride." And for that Diane had to concur with him but why did the name send chills down her spine? Was he to be avoided?
"Oh, how I so miss that nephew of mine. Hope he keeps to his word. I must be blabbering child do not mind what I say. Here let's go."
"Oh no your grace, I enjoyed your talk. Might I ask what his word is if you do not mind?" She asked gently.
"He would be coming back soon but how soon is what I do not know for he hardly comes back. It's been a couple of years since Richard came back. I must be a bore to you. Here I am pressing you with matters of no concern to you." She said with a wave of her hand.
"It's quite interesting to listen to you, your grace." If indeed lord Richards was coming back, she was going to avoid him like a plague.
"Here, this is Elisa's room, and the one next to hers is Eloise's room." She said with a pause. " I expect you to treat them with so much respect. Their parents are late so do not ask about them. It's a touchy story for us all. Elias is ready for the season. You will be her chaperone to all balls." That said she opened the door not waiting for Diane's reply. She believed she had said enough.
"Are you awake child?" She called calmly.
"Yes, gran." Replied Elisa rising.
Oh, such beauty Diane wondered. Such a lovely red-haired. Her Amazon figure sat well on her wafer-thin body. She had a decanter-shaped waist and her complexion had an impeccable ochrous hue. Her pencil-thin eyebrows eased down gently to her blacce beetles- leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph's ears and pixie's nose better she had glossy skin. Only whores were this beautiful they alone had time to extravagantly paint their faces but here on this little girl's face was a natural makeup. If Elisa was due for the season, she need not worry about finding a husband but worry about finding the right man. That alone should be her top worry. She could certainly catch the eyes of all men in the ballroom by just walking in. Her skin so fair as snow white and bright like the late moonlight. This was all a man could ask for, for her bosoms were as full and ripe. So much beauty endowed just on one person could chaos and problems for the same person. For it is said that excess of everything hinders danger.
"My lady," Diane said curtly to her.
"She's your governess child, yours and your sister." The Duchess said. " I'm afraid she has much work on you since it will be your first season child you will need so much guidance and she would be there to assist you all the way." She paused and took in her grandchild's lovely face. " I'm still here child should you need me."
"Thanks, gran."
" Eloise?"
"Should be in her room." She replied gently. Still gazing at Diane. Why was she so unreadable, unlike the old lady who had been their former governess until she passed away? Rest her poor soul for what she had suffered in their hands was just enough to kill a vibrant young lady not to talk more of an old woman but yet she was loved nevertheless. Diane seemed cold and distant with a clueless face. What in the world was she going to do with her? Elisa thought.
"I'm Diane Dallas, my lady. I look forward to World with you" she said calmly.
I'm lady Elisa CeCil. And I, you." She replied with a very polite smile.
"I will leave you two and retire. An old lady like me should bother herself with some matters but here I am child. Still vibrant but my rest is needed." She said and turned to Elisa. "You can continue from here and take Diane to get chambers." She said calmly and gazed at Diane. A swift look that said much passed through them. Words that needn't be uttered again for they both understood each other. " I do hope your sister is not into her mischievous ways again for she is indeed a handful." That said she left quietly without the sound of her feet being heard nor the sound of her walking stick.
It's nice meeting you Diane" Elisa said. " I hope you were not driven to flee by the duchess?" She asked calmly.
"Of course, not my lady. Indeed she was remarkably friendly today I must vouch for the stories I've heard of the duchess spoke no volume with my meeting with her today." She said calmly.
"Well I might say that's new"
"Indeed. If I may ask your lady, how old are you?"
" I am one and eight." She replied. " I do not see much difference in our age from your looks and I must say you are the youngest governess we've ever had," Elisa said with a very bright smile.