Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The letter
Sir Phillip Crane sighed, slumping in his seat after hearing the complaints from Mrs. Hughes about his kids’ behavior.
He knew that his staff was usually right and that Amanda and Oliver needed a bit of discipline and parental guide, but really – Did one person have a Baronet title and a Cambridge first…just for his cook felt with the privilege to tell him to start looking for a wife?! To be ordered around was something he did not expect when we inherited the title… and the worst was the small nod of Gunning while Mrs. Hughes stated that “What Romney Hall needs is a Lady to rule it”
Phillip was not on the need of a wife, he was sure of that. Especially not after his deafening failure with Marina. He married her as a duty in the absence of his brother, and just the sight of Oliver and Amanda made it worth it for him. However, the marriage just made Marina sad until her dead and Sir Phillip could not imagine to give a similar burden to someone else just for the tranquility of Romney Hall and their inhabitants.
What he needed was a governess. Almost any governess would do for him. He did not care if she had taught the son of a Duke before or if she spoke French. She did even not need experience on the job. She just had to be happy.
Sir Phillip was sure that the kids just carved for someone who could show them love and patience. The last governess tried to impose a ferrous discipline with Oliver and Amanda, but their bad behavior growth exponentially as the punishments were more usual.
The last of their pranks, which involved a flying blood pudding, had two outcomes:
First, the governess fled the house in pure anger. With it did not bother Sir Phillip very much as the governess was prideful and considered him an eccentric just to have said that if Amanda preferred to learn how to ride astride instead of embroidery he could not care less.
Second, a life ban from all local post agencies,
Miles advised him to write to a London post agency, hoping that the distance from Romney Hall could help to disperse the rumors and truths of the two little devils. However, as over a month passed without any news Phillip started to think that the distance could be a problem instead of a solution. Which woman would leave the entertainments and life in London to look for a position in a rural state?
Just when he was thinking about getting another glass of whisky to forget about his problems, Miles opened the door and with a wide smile tendered him a letter:
“Sir Phillip! A letter from London” – he cried.
“Miles, I appreciate your enthusiasm but if you are waiting this letter to be our governess-savior… I must say that I do not think this to be the one. Look at the paper; it looks too expensive to be send from a governess seeking for a job” - Sir Phillip sighed.
However, his good tempered secretary just said “hope is the last thing a man should lose”
As Phillip dismissed Miles from his study, he opened the letter carefully and read:
May 1824
Nº 5, Bruton Street
London
Sir Phillip Crane –
I am wring to express interest in becoming the governess of your children.
I have not previous experience as a governess but I do from a large family and I have several nephews.
I was educated by tutors at home, and I am versed in French as well as Latin. I do have a fair head for sums too.
In case, your kids needs to know more about me before making the decision:
I am 28 years old.
My favorite color is purple.
I like to read poetry and novels.
I have traveled to Scotland, but that is all.
I do not like mutton and positively detest blood pudding.
Regarding the conditions of the job, I am agreeable with them.
Even I must travel from London to Gloucestershire, I am available to begin to work when you see fit.
Miss Eloise Bridgerton
“Well maybe Miles was right” - Phillip chuckled. Miss Eloise Bridgeton sounded like everything that they need, her letter was open, sunny and she even spoke French!. Regarding the blood pudding… Phillip really hope that she could stand it as a prank.
The only doubt that Phillip had was the reason why Miss Eloise was eager to work as a governess. He was not an expert about London but was quite sure Burton Street was an expensive area, and as a Bridgerton she was from a very good family, indeed.
However, to not tempting his good fate Phillip took his quill and wrote
May 1824
Romney Hall
Gloucestershire
Dear Miss Bridgerton