Charles didn't say a word for a moment, he just observed the lady who was silently praying in her heart that she wouldn't loose the one opportunity she had to begin life because of her inquisitiveness.
"Indeed! You're right. Chloe is just as pretty as her lovely mother Rosie. That's her mother's name" He broke the silence.
"That's lovely Sir." She answered.
"And another thing, inquisitiveness is highly unacceptable in my house if you want to live here, you must abide by my rules. Is that clear?"
"Yes my Lord." She gave a courtesy.
"Great. I will pardon you for this because it's your first time here."
"Thank you Lord."
"Now, let's talk about Chloe. She's eight years old. Very stubborn just like her mom though. But trust me, she's a loveable being. I just need someone to tame and teach her all she has to do as a growing lady and my maids and everyone here have failed to do that. I even got two governesses before you but they all disappointed me. I was just about to quit the need for a governess when Mother Theodora wrote a letter to me telling me about your willingness to take the job. I hope you won't disappoint me?? Can I count on you??" He asked.
"Yes my Lord. Trust me, I won't disappoint you." She assured.
"I sure hope so." He said giving her a faint smile. He continued.
"So as her governess, here's all you need to do. You must make sure she wakes up on time for her ballet lessons by 8am. The coachman, Derrick takes her there and you must go with her. Her ballet lessons last for 2 hours. And she goes thrice a week. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On other days you must make sure she goes through her books by ensuring you teach her all she needs to know. Her bedtime is 8pm. You must ensure she goes to bed once it's her bedtime. You'll have yourself to blame if she is not in bed at the right time. You must teach her proper manners and courtesy. I will checkmate that and if you flop, you may loose your job. Her breakfast is by 7:30am, lunch by 12pm and dinner by 6:30pm. The maids ensure her meal is prepared before the suppose time. You must strictly adhere to all these. She shouldn't be allowed to play around, climb trees or do anything crazy. She must have her siesta by 3pm. Do not flop. Make sure you take all these seriously else you may loose your job! Am I understood??"
"Clearly Sir."
"Good!" He said.
"But sir..."
"Yes?"
"Those schedules..... don't you think it's quite too much for her. I mean, she's just a kid. She should be having fun during her childhood." She explained.
"Are you trying to tell me how you think raising my own daughter should be??" He questioned.
"Pardon me my Lord. That isn't what I meant. You're her father, you know what's best for her as your child."
"You've got a lot of guts for a governess Miss Elora. Anyway, she is my daughter and you will train her the way I want you to train her. Mind you, there will be no attending of parties or gatherings of such for her. Am I clear?"
"Yes my Lord."
"Good!" He relaxed his back on the couch as he observed wondering how she got the guts to ask him such question after seeing her trembling before him a while ago.
The maid stepped in with Chloe who was dressed in a pretty pinkish gown. She wasn't comfortable with the gown.
"Come here sweetie." He called out to her and she humbly obeyed.
"Greetings father." She replied with a courtesy.
"This is Miss Elora, your new governess. She's gonna be in charge of you while I'm away." He told her.
"Nice to meet you Miss Elora." She gave a courtesy.
"Nice to meet you Chloe." They hugged each other, unknown to Elora, the little girl had just placed lizard on her outfit which hurriedly crawled on her cloth, making her a bit uncomfortable but she tried her best not to act clumsy so she wouldn't loose her job. She faked a pretentious smile as she wondered what was making her so uncomfortable. The naughty little girl tried to hide her laughter. A wicked smile appeared on her face.
"Well, I will leave you two to get along. I sure hope you don't disappoint me, Miss Elora." He said to her.
"I won't my Lord." She assured.
"Madam Clara will show you to your room and how things are done here. See you soon. I am off on a business trip. I won't be back until next week. Do not fail me!"
"I won't Sir." A satisfactory smile appeared on his face. He turned to his daughter.
"Be a good girl while I'm away. Do not stress Miss Elora."
"I will father." She answered with a smirk. He hugged her and took his leave.
The moment he stepped out of the room Elora shook her clothes to discover what had been making her uncomfortable and the lizard fell off. She was quite shocked. But the little girl couldn't help herself but laugh.
"Chloe!" Madam Clara called out.
"Why would you do that??" The girl ignored her statement, laughing and ran off.
"Sayonara!" She said giggling as she ran up the stairs.
"My apologies dear. Master Higgins' daughter is fond of pulling pranks. She made her past governesses loose their jobs. The last one she did was a scorpion. The lady couldn't contain it and left without a word. Please pardon her." She explained.
"I see. The young lady is very exuberant. Works for me. There's no problem Madam."
"We've tried to tame her and correct her about it but she just wouldn't take anyone's correction."
"She's just trying to have some fun. And I really don't blame her for it. She's the only child. She must be really lonely and this is the only way she can have some fun on her own. I totally understand that." She replied.
Chloe reminded her of herself when she was her age. She loved pranks a lot. So she knew what the young lady was trying to have.
"Let me take you to your room. You must be tired from the trip and this whole drama. Come with me. I'll tell you all you need to know about Lord Higgins' household as I show you to your room." Madam Clara assured her.
"Okay." The duo walked out of the living room, heading up the stairs.