The Aloof Count's Novice Governess

r posture stiff as if to hide the

iled besid

them, closing the doo

ous and bright, with a

while Maria Clara t

ing?" Helena asked, her

d calmly. "I've been singing

was...

cted moment, som

g Helena's hair with gentle s

sed her eyes, her small body relaxing

washed my hair like this," Helena m

d, surprised by t

ou lik

ed... then gav

never you want," Mari

wary of a warmth so different

as were scrubbed clean, smelling of

Helena said, her voice r

oked appr

bench near the window, and si

A promise is

d began a soft song. Her voice, s

maintain her defiant front

s lap, and she found herself st

was like

shed, the silence tha

blinked

ly did it because you're paid to be here," Helena accused, though a

ove what I do. From the moment I walked into this house, you became

ubbed hi

us?" he asked i

t me. Now,

toward her. He stopped just short, but Maria Clara could see h

ra drew her in with her other arm until the thre

he sensed it had been a long, long ti

nd over both o

u for tru

ng, and a truce, but she knew the childr

t Álvaro stood motionless in the hallway

nd chaos and tears. I

ng in the scene touched him. He couldn't remembe

and left i

the immaculately set table, f

e signal, and the servant

roke the

overness?" he asked, his voice deceptiv

m, surprised. Their father rar

d, but her eyes brightened for an instant, betray

s murmured softly, as

eaning toward the

s. You know how to appre

oman,' Uncle Roberto. We say 'beautiful person.'" She rolled

ou're right, my princess.

hardened. He shot hi

ice was firm, almost cutting. "She isn't one of the women you're used to playing

rto's lips, his gaze f

you better, I'd sa

ued. "Daddy's jealous? Of whom?" s

erto a warning look. "I'm simply warning your uncle not to bother

his chair, savoring h

onvent. And let's be honest, Álvaro... don't tell me you haven't not

"If you speak like that again, I will ask y

ing... from what?" Th

o cut in sharply, before Roberto

like a blade. Roberto raised

not turn dinner i

regain his composure. Sensing the t

only sound was the clinking of

met the rest of the household servants after they had finished serving the fa

treats us well," said Olivia

ters only let us eat leftovers. But they were so stingy, there wa

convent?" asked An

nfirmed. "I grew up t

hrough the group, but she o

dhood. The nuns wer

chef, Sérgio; two more housemaids, Solange and Raqu

Only Olavo and the butler, Avelino, remained

think of the child

xpression turned serious. "They j

only exchanged glances. Dorali

r since their mother died..." She cut her

eed of curiosity had been planted in Maria Clara's mind. She wanted to k

e chance. She needed to understand-not just for the children,