Martha At The Ballroom [EBOOK]

Chapter 1<br>

Martha knew that the children loved nothing more than to be outside together, and she enjoyed providing them with any excuse to make that happen. Her charge was ten-year-old Master Oscar Wald, son of the Duke of Cornwall, Lord Spencer Wald. She’d been his governess for almost six years, so she knew the noble family very well.
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Martha Rose had been orphaned at similar age to her charges were now. Her wealthy merchant father had died of malaria, and her mother not long afterwards, no doubt of a broken heart. She’d been raised by an elderly aunt, on her mother’s side, who’d been strict, but kind. As she grew older, she decided to become a governess. Her aunt Matilda had known the duke’s wife’s mother, and that was how she’d gained her position at Welwick Hall. <br>
At the age of nineteen, she joined the Wald household, and a year later her Aunt Matilda passed away, leaving her all alone in the world. Except she never felt alone because the Wald family had allowed her to immerse herself in their daily lives, and she’d been with them ever since.
When she joined the family, she’d learned that when Lady Sarah Wald was with child, so was the household cook’s daughter, Josephine Atkins. Master Oscar, the duke’s son, was born first, on the evening of a lovely summer’s day. Barely a month later, the cook’s daughter gave birth to twins, a son, Silas, and a daughter, Vera.
Lady Sarah had insisted that they grow up and play together as toddlers, much against the duke’s liking. As they became older, the duke agreed to the overseeing of the twins' education, but he’d also insisted that the children no longer play together. If ever he caught them together, the punishment for the twins always led to days of hard labour, usually in the stinking stables.
One of their favourite joint lessons was English Literature, and Martha enjoyed the sessions almost as much.
“Today, I thought we could start reading another William Shakespeare play,” Martha told the children.
They were all seated underneath a huge willow tree, enjoying the outdoors but also staying in the shade.
“Is it The Twelfth Night?” Vera asked, her soft brown eyes twinkling with excitement at the thought of reading her favourite play.
“Not today, Vera,” Martha answered with a chuckle. “I know you love that play, but it is time to move on to another one.”
“But… Miss Martha, that is my favourite,” Vera complained, her dark, curly hair bobbing as she shook her head.
“Yes, I know Vera,” Martha smiled patiently. “All I would ask of you is that we at least take a look at the opening scene from a different play. This one is titled ‘Much Ado About Nothing’,” Martha pushed the girl to consider other options because she wanted them to learn many of the famous playwright's works.
It was always her hope to extend the education of the servants’ children because, to her, they deserved a chance to improve their lives. “You will soon learn that it is equally as interesting as The Twelfth Night. Now then, get yourselves comfortable as I will play the duke, Leonato. You will each read out a line of the messenger, starting with Master Oscar, and Vera in the middle, finishing with Silas. Are you ready, children?”
Each of the children shuffled in their seated positions, staring down at their copies of open books on their knees. As promised, Martha read the first line of her character, putting drama into her tone as she play-acted her role.
“I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina.”
“Is that my cue?” Master Oscar asked as Martha raised her hand to him, and when she nodded, he read the first line spoken by the messenger. “He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him.”
“Nicely read, Master Oscar,” Martha praised. “Can you remember what a league is, Master Oscar?” Martha asked, adding some education to the session.
“How far a person can walk in an hour?” Master Oscar asked questioningly, not certain of his explanation.
“Very good, and three leagues would be around nine miles, I should think, for a grown man,” Martha explained. “And now, Vera, you are next to follow me. ‘How many gentlemen have you lost in this action.’”
Vera wasted no time with her line. “But few of any sort, and none of name,” she quoted. “I want to ask what action you meant in your line, Miss Martha. What is it that has happened?”
“Ever the inquisitive, little Vera,” Martha smiled. “The action refers to a military campaign. The messenger’s reply meant that few of rank or reputation had been lost. It refers only to the ‘gentlemen.’ Are you ready for your line, Silas?”
“Do I have to join in?” Silas complained. “I hate these plays. They’re for the likes of my sister, not me.”
“Very well, I can see that you all tire. Instead, you will write the lines up until the entrance of the character called Beatrice. Put them in your English Literature books,” Martha instructed. “And that means you too, Silas.”
“Miss Martha, what I cannot understand is that Father allows me to be with the twins when we are being schooled, but not when we are playing. Why is that?” Master Oscar asked, looking puzzled as if he’d been churning over the question for some time.
“Rest assured, Master Oscar, I do all I can to make sure that you are together for as much as possible,” Martha promised him. “But we must abide by His Grace’s rules. The twins must do their share of work for their mother, in the kitchens.”
She watched as young Master Oscar mulled over her answer, his fresh face looking twisted.
“We have to help Mother, Master Oscar, or she will miss us,” Vera tagged on, seeing that her friend struggled with the answer his governess had provided. “Mother says that we are very privileged to be receiving any education at all, and it is only through the generosity of His Grace that this happens.”
“Yes, and I hate it when you make me run off with you and Master Oscar when we’re not allowed,” Silas said, determined to have his say too.
“Shhh… Be quiet, brother,” Vera hushed him, giving him a little push with her hand. “Stop telling tales.”
“Don’t you push me Sister, or I’ll push you back,” Silas warned, pinching his sister’s arm.
“Now then, children, please stop this nonsense.” Martha raised her voice. “Allow me to explain, though you all know already because we seem to discuss this topic regularly.”
“But I do not have to agree with it. I cannot believe that Father is so stupid,” Master Oscar snarled as he found his father’s strict rules too much at times.
“Be careful what you say, Master Oscar. The twins were born within the servants’ quarters,” Martha said.
“But they are the children of Cook, who is a very respected servant. Even Father agrees with that,” Master Oscar argued.
“Yes, as was her mother before her. Their family has worked at Welwick Hall for many generations. But you are born of nobility, Master Oscar. You must start to accept these differences,” Martha tried, knowing that Master Oscar never liked her explanation. As far as he was concerned, his friends, the twins, were his equals. “You should not risk sneaking off together, any of you,” Martha reproached.
“But I miss them, and it is such a stupid rule,” Master Oscar complained. “Why can I not choose my own friends? Mother says I should.”
“Yes, I can see how it confuses you, Master Oscar. But know that the Duke has the final say in everything. He is the Lord of the estate,” Martha tried another tactic, but she doubted that would work either.
“I hate it,” Master Oscar barked. “I want to be with my friends.”
“I know you do, and I help all I can,” Martha reminded him. “We will finish off today with a nature walk around the gardens,” she added, standing up. Straightening out her dress, Master Oscar and Vera got up too, but Silas refused.
“What is it, Silas? Do you not wish to have a turn around the garden?” Martha asked the worried-looking boy.
It always amazed her how much Silas and Vera looked alike. Though Vera was petite in comparison to her gangly brother, their features were very similar. One might even say they were almost identical at this age.
“We have work to do with Mother, so we can’t stay much longer,” Silas explained. “Mother expects us to clean the household shoes this afternoon. If we don’t go soon, we’ll be cleaning them in the dark.”
“I know, Silas, but another fifteen minutes will not hurt,” Martha tried.
Like Master Oscar, she too wished that the twins didn’t have to leave him every day. But the Duke insisted that they only mingle in the classroom. She could not go beyond her employer’s instructions, but she knew how important the twins were to her charge.
“Can I collect some flower heads for pressing?” Vera asked, keen to get moving. “Come on, Silas, or I’ll run out of time.”
Master Oscar grabbed Vera’s hand innocently and pulled her into a run. Meanwhile, Martha waited for Silas to catch up and join in. He ran on to catch them, forgetting the rules for a few more moments, and enjoying the extra play that Martha was giving them. She did all she could to get the twins out of their duties, but there was only so much she could do. Most especially when the butler was around. He was as strict as the Duke when it came to keeping the children apart.
Sighing, she gathered the bottom of her long dress and moved on, following in the direction of the children.
“I want you to listen out for a woodpecker,” she called after them, adding education to whatever they did together. Should the Duke see them through the windows, he would know they were all in class together. He never seemed to object if she accompanied them on walks together.
“And let us look out for the bluebells,” she called over to Vera. “They will make impressive pressings.”
“I like dandelions too,” Vera said. “I love the bright yellow; it reminds me of the sunshine.”
“Very well, you can gather dandelions, and Master Oscar, you can look for bluebells,” Martha gave out her instructions. “Silas, you can—”
“I’m not picking flowers; that’s for girls,” Silas huffed.
“Well, I do not mind,” Master Oscar called back to his friend. “Not if Vera likes them.”
Master Oscar’s comment caused Martha to smile. She was sure that the young master had a childish crush on little Vera. Although it was endearing, she hoped he would grow out of it soon. Their lives were destined to go in completely different directions. They were children of servants, and he was a child of nobility, which was not equal in status. One day, in the not-too-distant future, they would be prised apart by social rules. Poor Master Oscar would be devastated when it happened.
For her part, she would help them all she could as children, but there were not many more years left before they would all become young adults. Each then would play their part in a society that taught strict rules of class distinctions. As she knew her own place all too well. Her employment at Welwick Hall would no doubt be ending soon. Normally a boy had a male teacher from around five years old, yet she’d been kept on. It was most likely Lady Sarah’s doing, she was a gentle soul who only cared about her son’s happiness. One day, though, she would need to move on elsewhere as a governess to new children, and she dreaded the day.
They strolled along a circular route of the gardens, close to the house. Vera skipped merrily as she picked flowers, putting them close to her nose to smell their sweet scent. Master Oscar followed her around, ever her protector. Not that Silas didn’t protect his sister, because he did, but of the three children, he was ever the nervous one. The one who worried over being caught together without an adult accompanying them. Martha supposed it was his brotherly instinct kicking in. He hated to see his sister having to work hard, and often he took on much of her share of any punishment.
As they completed the circle, they arrived back at the house. Martha turned onto a path that would take them to the kitchens. Once there, she dropped off the twins to go and do the laborious tasks set for them as servants' children.
Martha waved goodbye, along with Master Oscar, “I hate when they have to leave me,” Master Oscar told her.
“I know you do, Master Oscar, but you will see them tomorrow,” she assured him.
“I hate it even more that Vera has to do such hard work,” he added. “I am going to ask Father if I can help with her share of chores.”
“No, no, Master Oscar, you cannot do that,” Martha warned. “You will only get poor little Vera into bother. And her mother too.”
“Why? I do not understand how Father can complain, not if the work still gets done,” Master Oscar pleaded, his little eyes screwed up in confusion.
“One day, Master Oscar, you will understand better the ways of the world,” Martha said. “Enjoy your time together for now. Perhaps you could consider teaching the twins to ride a horse; that would be a useful skill for them to gain. One that your father might even agree to.”
“Yes, I like the sound of that, Miss Martha,” Master Oscar said, cheering up. “I will ask and tell him that it is useful for servants to be able to ride.”
“I would not go that far, although it might be useful for Silas if he is thinking of joining the stables,” she advised.
“I can ask him in the classroom tomorrow,” Master Oscar said, looking thoughtful. “I will ask them both, for I would enjoy teaching Vera too.”
“I will keep my fingers crossed that your father agrees,” Martha said, laughing as she ruffled Master Oscar’s head of dark hair.
“Can you ride, Miss Martha?” the child asked.
“As it happens, I can,” Martha replied, pleased that Master Oscar was sounding more positive. “I had an aunt who encouraged me to be independent, and I had many teachers to learn many skills. That is why I was able to become a governess.”
“I am so pleased that you are my governess, Miss Martha,” Master Oscar declared. “You are the prettiest governess I have ever seen, and I have met others when I have visited Mother’s friends.”
“Why… that is most kind of you, young sir,” Martha said, play-acting and taking a large curtsy to her young master. “I am not too proud to accept a nice compliment when I am given one. Though I happen to know that you will be growing into a very handsome young man soon enough.”
“Do you think that I will be handsome?” Master Oscar queried. “And will Silas be handsome too? I know that Vera will be as beautiful as you when she grows up.”
“Indeed, I do. You will be a handsome pair of young fellows, and Vera will make a wonderful wife to some kindly man,” Martha said.
“Vera is to marry me. I have already decided upon that,” Master Oscar said with confidence.
Martha had no answer and remained quiet as they walked back to the classroom. The young master was going to be in for a mighty disappointment, but then, he would soon find some pretty young lady of his own standing in life.