My Dearest Louisa,
I hope that this letter finds you well. I have missed you and your pleasing companionship since leaving London.
I have now settled into my new station here at Wintercrest Manor. I have never seen something so spectacular as this house. The gardens, too, are vast and intriguing. The house is so large that I have been here almost a week and have only seen a portion of the servants and half of the household. It is hard for me to imagine a child growing up in such a large and looming house.
My pupil is a beautiful little child. I told you in my last letter of her upbringing and what resulted in her residing here. She is such a kind and sweet little girl. We spend each afternoon walking the grounds, per the Duke of Wintercrest’s request. This is a cherished time for both Jacqueline and myself.
It is clear to me now that she was raised deep in the city of Paris and never spent much time even in parks. Every new side garden we take or walk along a wooden path is a glorious adventure for her. I, too, have grown to love our afternoon walks. Though the air is almost always chilled, even as spring approaches, I have thoroughly enjoyed the open beauty that this country has provided me.
I told you before of my disastrous first meeting with Lord Bellfourd. I had hoped, after that first day, I would not see him much at all. Unquestionably, he is very busy helping his father with the estate and learning all that comes with it. Much to my surprise, he finds a moment almost every day to spend with little Jacqueline. Often, he sits and listens as she tells him of the adventures she has had or stories she has learned that day.
One day, in fact, he insisted that Mrs. Murray and I make ready and send Jacqueline and her afternoon tea down to him in one of the sitting rooms. He treated her like a proper lady coming to attend him for afternoon tea. Jacqueline could barely contain herself when she came back to us. She genuinely felt like a princess that day.
Despite his early teasing, I have found Lord Bellfourd to be a kind man who loves to dote on his little niece. I can't help but hold a high regard in my mind for someone who could be so incredible to a small girl, that has already overcome so much in her young age.
I have learned from Mrs. Murray today that the youngest member of the household, Lady Abigail, will be returning home today from a visit to her relatives. I will have the opportunity to meet both her and her mother this evening, as I have been informed that I will be presenting Jacqueline for her first inspection to the duke after their evening meal.
I am not sure what worries me more, meeting such fine ladies of such a lavished house, or presenting Jacqueline before her grandfather. We have spent the better part of today's lesson practicing her introductions in perfect English, and have also taught her counting from one to ten. I feel this is a great feat for such a young child who, up until last week, knew almost no English at all.
It is clear that her uncle's lavish attentions also prevented her from picking up the new language, as he has only spoken to her in French, as far as I have seen. This is in spite of the duke’s evident dislike of it. I confess that I am happy that this child’s transition over the year had been all the less traumatic with the familiar words of her homeland.
I hope that you are doing well and receiving my letters. I am quite aware that this is the second I have sent in a week’s time. I am so very used to talking to you every day, even passing our notes when we do not see each other. I suppose I will have to get used to the long travel each letter must take to reach you, my dear. It is an excellent opportunity for me to exercise patience, something you, of course, know I am not altogether good at.
Your friend,
Isabella