Julia come and meet Miss Sharpe, Andrew said as soon as she came inside. Julia walked into the drawing room and stared at a red haired woman who was somewhere in her thirties.
It's a pleasure, Julia said as she shook Miss Sharpe's hand.
Good Heavens, you're rather young to be a governess aren't you, she blurted. She was not fat but adequately proportioned, and as she spoke, Julia saw she had a slight double chin. Julia didn't answer, she turned and left the room.
She's an odd one, Miss Sharpe said. Julia heard her.
Odd? No, I don't think so. I think she's shy, but she's had a terrible time in the last few years.
Well, she looks odd to me. She's got shifty eyes.
If that's the kind of woman he's been bringing to the house, no wonder his father was so angry. What a detestable woman, no manners whatsoever. But Julia had liked what Andrew had said about her.
Julia heard the horses hooves crunching the gravel outside, and looked out of the window as Miss Sharpe's coach left. Unfortunately, Miss Sharpe wasn't in it. She'd made herself comfortable with a glass of wine in the drawing room before dinner. Because Miss Sharpe was staying, Andrew had asked Julia to have dinner with the children as he wanted the dining room to himself.
Julia woke up to the sound of a woman screaming. She jumped out of bed and went to the door. She put her ear to it, and when she didn't hear anything, she opened it and listened. There it was again, and it was coming from the room next to her. Very gently, she tiptoed to the door behind which all the commotion was coming from, and dropped to her knees. The keyhole was obligingly large, and she got a fantastic view of what was happening. Miss Sharpe was sitting naked on top of Andrew, riding him like a horse. Andrew's face was hidden from view by a pillow, but Julia saw all of Miss Sharpe, and it was not a pleasing sight. Again Miss Sharpe screamed as she thrust her hips at speed back and forth over him. Julia guessed that it was supposed to be a scream of delight, but it wasn't delightful at all. It was a horrible, blood-curdling scream that made Julia nauseous. She quickly returned to her room and covered her ears. Julia hoped for a quick cessation, but the screams continued for some considerable time. Eventually, she fell asleep only to be woken at some ridiculously early hour by the sound of Andrew slamming the front door and Miss Sharpe swearing at him.
The next morning, the children were very excitable. When Julia asked them why they told her that Aunt Jacqueline was coming to lunch. When they heard her arrive, the children jumped up and ran to the door, where they made a terrific fuss of her. Julia stood in the doorway which led from the conservatory to the hallway and watched.
Jacqueline was twenty-seven and the most beautiful woman Julia had ever seen. She had black hair and perfect skin, not a single blemish. Her nose was dainty and her eyes wide and alluring. You must be Julia, she said stepping forward. Andrew has told me how much the children respect you.
It's nice to meet you, Julia replied. Yes, I get on well with the children.
Where's daddy? Jacqueline asked the children, but they all shrugged their shoulders. Ah well, let's go and sit down. I'm sure lunch will be ready soon.
Julia, where are you from? Jacqueline asked when they were sitting in the dining room waiting for lunch to be served.
Sussex.
Beautiful. Well, I'm really pleased you're here. You know my brother has suffered greatly, and I'm pleased he has managed to find someone to take care of the children's education.
Julia nodded without saying anything.
He's terrible you know. He can't keep his hands to himself these days. She made a gesture mimicking a man grasping a pair of female breasts. To think he was so happily married, now look at him. Woman after woman, and not one of them the marrying kind. Lord knows where he digs them up from. Julia nodded again. Just make sure he doesn't go seducing you, Jacqueline added.
Why does he do it? Julia asked. The fact she had finally spoken shocked Jacqueline.
Do what?
Sleep with so many women?
Heavens, that's a good question, She rested her elbow on the table and stared out of the window. He's trying to replace Georgina, but it's impossible, and I think now he's lost his way. It's turned him into a serial womanizer.
Not you as well, Andrew shouted as he slammed the door shut. The children sat bolt upright and were suddenly very quiet; they'd never seen their father in such a temper. He's finally gone mad, he shouted as he slumped into his chair.
Who? What? Jacqueline asked.
Father. He's told me he's going to give the estate to Maurice and that we have to leave the Lodge. The two eldest children gasped, and Sarah began to cry. Julia took her onto her lap and comforted her. It's all to do with Miss Sharpe. She made such a racket last evening that father has decided to kick us out.
But Andrew, it's been going on for months. You have far too many......visitors, she was going to say lovers but changed her mind when she looked at the frightened faces in front of her.