Governess

A couple of months later Labhaoise was comfortably settled into his home and all the business matters concerning Seamus' death had been sorted out. He'd been buried under the old oak tree on his land where his wife had been buried nine years before. It was the only place Stephen deemed appropriate. Seamus and Niamh had deeply loved each other and had been more than devastated when she died though he had tried his hardest to raise his daughter happy.

Stephen had inherited all his possessions including the tenancy and landlord rights on his land. He'd appointed Seamus' staff to take care of the house, grounds and rent of the people who lived on the land. Labhaoise had been awarded the living allowance of £5000 a year and Stephen had done his best to make sure that was carried out.

He had done everything in his power to make sure she settled happily into his home and lifestyle. He would take her out horse riding everyday and tell her stories. He also encouraged her to expand her reading. They'd grown very close and he found he couldn't imagine living without her.

He felt guilty there weren't any children of her age around but felt there was nothing he could do. He even put up with local society for her sake but the gossiping women bored him and he could see how it was affecting his niece. She noticed full well how they bored and annoyed him and would sit close to him. She looked up to him and hated to see him anything but happy. She felt like he was a second father to her and enjoyed the times they would go out riding together.

Now she was settled she felt his utmost priority was to carry on her education. In order to do so he felt it was time to acquire her a governess. That way she would remain close but she would have someone more suited to attend to her education. He was looking around for one and hoped he would find one that would also encourage Labhaoise's health and happiness.

He knocked on the door of the library where he knew he was always most likely to find her. She was an avid reader and could spend hours in there eating up all the knowledge and fantasy she could get from the books.

"Come in," she said.

He went in and she ran up to him giving him a hug. He hugged her back and then she let go.

"What is it, uncle? You look very serious," she enquired.

"Labhaoise I'm looking into a governess to carry on your education."

"You're not sending me to school?"

"Would you rather go to school?" he asked sadly.

She shook her head. "Not at all. I want to stay close to you."

"I want you to stay close too."

She smiled. "So when will she arrive?"

"Hopefully I'll have found one suitable by the end of the month."

She nodded. "Will we still see each other?"

"Absolutely we will," he smiled.

She smiled back.