The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

sitting at the table drawing and Millie resting in the chair with her doll on her lap. “Has Ann come in?”
    Andrew looked up, a slight frown on his face. “Yes, but she left right away.”
    Millie clutched her doll to her chest, her eyes wide. “She was crying. What happened?”
    Julia crossed to Millie’s chair and gently laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “It’s nothing for you to worry about, dear. I’ll find her.” She sent Andrew a pointed look. “Please stay here and play quietly. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    He gave a slight nod and returned his attention to his drawing. For once both children seemed to sense the need to obey her instructions, so she left them and set off in search of Ann. A few seconds later she knocked on Ann’s bedroom door, then opened it without waiting for her reply.
    Ann stood by her bed shoving clothing into her small carpetbag.
    Julia gripped the doorknob. “Ann, what are you doing?”
    “She’s going to sack me. I know it. I might as well pack my bag and be off.”
    “No, she’s not going to dismiss you.”
    “But she said she will if I so much as look at Peter Gates again. And I can’t promise that. I won’t!”
    “Mrs. Emmitt doesn’t allow staff to seek each other out or spend time alone. You know that.”
    “But I like Peter—very much. And he likes me. It’s not fair that we’re not allowed to be together.”
    “I know you’re upset, but please just sit down a moment.”
    The girl pulled in a shuddering breath and slowly sank down on the bed. “All right.”
    “I know you care for Peter—”
    “Oh, I do, so much.”
    “But you must think this through.”
    “I have, night and day! I can’t stop thinking about Peter. He’s the most wonderful boy—”
    Julia laid her hand on Ann’s arm. “What I mean is you must be verycertain before you make a choice.” How well she knew the consequences of not doing so.
    “What choice? I have no choice!”
    “Yes, you do. You have a good position here. And you told me you don’t want to go back home.”
    “No, I don’t.” Ann looked down and fiddled with the hem of her apron. “Peter says I’m the kind of girl he hopes to marry someday.”
    Julia tensed. “Are you sure he’s worthy of your affection?”
    Ann looked up and shrugged slightly. “How am I to know when we’re only allowed a few stolen moments together?”
    “The fact that he is talking to you about marriage when he hasn’t actually proposed does not speak well for him.”
    “It does show he’s serious.”
    “Perhaps. But coaxing you to meet him in the stable—when he knows it could cost you your job—makes me doubtful of his character.”
    “But he says the sweetest things and makes me feel so special.”
    “Sweet words are no replacement for a lifelong commitment. If he truly loves you, he should do what’s best for you, not just what makes him happy.”
    Ann nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting a hint of doubt. “Oh, Julia, what should I do?”
    “Only you can answer that question.”
    “But if it were you, what would you do?”
    Julia thought for a moment, wanting to give her best advice. “I suppose I would pray and ask the Lord to guide me. And while I waited for His direction, I would obey Mrs. Emmitt’s rules and make every effort to do my job to the best of my ability. But above all else, I would guard my thoughts and hold on to my heart.”
    Ann heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure I have the strength to do all that.”
    The memory of her own broken engagement filled Julia’s mind and sent a shiver through her. “Giving your heart away before you are certain of a man’s character and commitment is dangerous. You must discern his true intentions, or you’ll pay a high price.”

    William pushed aside the books and papers on his desk in the library. “Let’s spread out the map and take a look.” He had put off discussing his financial troubles with Gordon McTavish, Highland’s steward, as long as he