It seemed that time strated to fly by after that. Harriet's little student was growing bigger every day. She knew that before long he would be sent away to school and that she would no longer be needed. But she didn't think about it too often. Since that memorable night, almost nothing could disturb her OR worry her. She was calm and steady, as though there was nothing in the whole world that could hurt her. And even if there was, it didn't matter, because there was one person on whom she could always rely, who would help her no matter what.
Harriet wasn't surprised when the boy's father told her in gentle words that she should start to look for another job. She thanked him but didn't take his advice. She knew what would happen now. And it did.
James Cogsworth knocked on the door of her room late one evening when the family members were already asleep. When she opened the door, she saw his tense face looking at her with an emotion that she could only describe as fear.
"Good evening," she said to him in a comforting way. He didn't answer, just looked at her. "Come in. Sit down. You look tired."
Without A word he sat in a chair across her. In the ensuing silence, she smiled at him gently and encouragingly.
"You have heard the news, I am sure. The boy will be sent to school and..." She stopped, waiting for him to say something, but when it was clear that he wasn't going to speak, she continued. "And I'm afraid that I will have to find myself a new place, unless..." She paused again, but he was just staring AT her, looking tense and nervous. "Unless I find someone here to... care for," she finished awkwardly, hoping he would take the hint.
She didn't know what else to say to make him speak. After A few moments of silence, she realized that subtlety wasn't going to work.
"But since there is no one here of that sort, since I'm not needed here any more by anyone, I'm afraid I'll have to leave. I'm sure in Italy they will appreciate a good English teacher.
"Italy?" This was single whispered word, but it gave Harriet hope. After a short pause, he started to speak hesitantly. "Are you certain about it? It's distant country, a different culture. And you would be so far away from people you know, far away from..." he trailed off.
"From whom?" she almost shouted.
"From... England. I meant England," he said hastily.
Maybe it was useless, she thought with resignation. Maybe there really was nothing there. She was acting like a stupid young girl full of hopes and dreams. It was time to go back to reality. She was destined to be lonely and live without love. The rest of her life would be spent teaching other people's children, watching others being happy.
"You..." Her words were muffled by tears. "You should go now. I must pack my things, make preparations."
"Miss Berkeley, I..." said Cogsworth, watching her almost in shock.
"I told you, call ME Harriet." Tears were now flowing down her cheeks.
"Miss... Harriet, I need..."
"Oh, stop with that 'miss'! I'm not a noble lady! I'm just a poor governess! Just Harriet! I don't need much. I don't ask for much. Only someone who could love me the way I am. I just want to be safe and loved. Is that too much to ask? Everyone deserves that! Why not I!"
Suddenly he stood up from his chair, walked to the place where she was sitting sobbing, and kneeled in front of her. He took her right hand and held it in both of his. When she forced herself to stop crying, she noticed with surprise that he was looking directly in her eyes. And he was actually trembling. He was trying to say something.
"I... I..." The words seemd to stuck in his throat. "Miss... No, Harriet. I need... must... You can not...! I want to say... I... I do...
"Don't say anything more," she told him in a quiet, soft vice. "I feel the same."
The wedding was a small and private ceremony. So quiet that there was some who did not believe it had happened at all. It seemed almost impossible that those two would ever find anybody to love, not to mention find each other! But life goes on despite bad tongues, and one year after the wedding, young Mrs. Cogsworth gave birth to a boy. They named him Henry. Two years later, the family for whom they worked also blessed with a new child. The lady now had a daughter, which she had always dreamed of. The noble family and the Cogsworths could live happily ever after... but they did not.