Isabelle
Miss Goodwin had been employed for several months now. Everyday she would arrive in the late morning, eat lunch with the staff, then go upstairs to the Nursery.
For the next three hours she would teach Agatha a variety of subjects.
Agatha liked her, and did her best to pay attention to everything. Agatha thought Miss Goodwin was the most beautiful woman in the world. When she grew up she wanted to be just like Miss Goodwin.
Isabelle was pleased as well at the performance of the tutor. They would have tea after her sessions on every Friday, and the tutor would catch her up on all Agatha had learned.
Alfred was not as won over. On several occasions Miss Goodwin had interrupted his work with menial and trivial questions. There had also been several instances of Accidental Touching in the hallway when the two had occasion to cross paths.
Alfred grew tired of her childish games and sent message to the young woman to come discreetly to his parlor, after her work on Monday.
Miss Goodwin’s heart skipped a beat when she read the message from the Master of the House. Finally all her hard work was paying off. This manor was grand, and the staff adored her. She’d worked hard to make friends with everyone on the grounds. Including his plain, mouse of a wife. His daughter loved her more than her own mother, she was adored and worshiped. Agatha wanted to grow up to be like her, not Isabelle.
Miss Goodwin smiled to herself, who would want to grow up to be Isabelle? Unable to sire a son for her husband, and poor thing, she couldn’t bear any more children. She was plain to look at, and a simpleton too. This whole time she never suspected. Miss Goodwin would never have let anyone so young and beautiful near her husband. She knew they would entice the Master away, and then she would become the new Mistress of the house. Why wouldn’t he choose her over plain, mouse Isabelle. Isabelle wouldn’t even put up a fight over it, she would just run away in tears. That’s how much of a mouse she was. Miss Goodwin’s smile crept outward, the cruelty of it was visible now.