The Governess Club: Claire Read Online Free Page B

turned toward him.
    That, combined with this conversation, set a niggling thought in the back of his mind that Claire Bannister was more than a woman to be seduced. Thankfully, he was adept at ignoring such righteous thoughts.

 

C HAPTER T HREE
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    J acob stared in frustration at the blank faces staring back at him. Even after several attempts, the boys still did not understand the concept. “Look, potential energy is when an object is not in motion; the energy is stored within it. When that energy is released, either through internal or external means, and thus begins to move, that energy shifts from being potential to actual, known as kinetic , energy.”
    “I’m hungry. When’s lunch?” Michael asked.
    “I have to wee really bad,” Peter offered.
    “I’ll help you wee!” Michael shouted and tackled his brother, tickling him. The two bodies tangled together and rolled all across the floor.
    “No, no, stop. Don’t tickle me. You’re going to make me wee. Stop, don’t do that!” Peter’s giggling voice reverberated through the small schoolroom, Michael’s adding to the volume.
    “That is enough!” Jacob roared, pulling the two boys apart. “You are not paying attention. Behavior like this will only get you caned, and trust me, I can wield a cane better than you have ever seen in your short lives so far. Now what?” he spit out as he looked at the boys’ red faces.
    Michael pointed at Peter. “He wee’d on me.”
    Jacob looked down at the boys’ legs, and sure enough, both sets were sporting wet spots. With a growl, he yanked open the door to the nursery. “Miss Bannister, if you please.” The bustle of skirts precipitated her arrival at the door and Jacob pointed at the boys. “Take care of that . . . incident.”
    Her eyes wide, Claire took in the scene as the boys looked on, abashed. Once she had properly assessed the situation, her lips pursed together, a stern, disappointed look was given to the boys, and she pointed toward their room. “Really, boys. At seven years of age, this is what happens? How disgusting.” Quiet apologies to her and himself were muttered as the boys sulked out of the room.
    Jacob strode to the window and threw it open, releasing the stench of the incident from the room. Closing his eyes, he leaned against the windowpane, dragging in deep breaths of the fresh air. Good Lord, what had he gotten himself into? He had had no idea being a tutor was so frustrating. Had he been like that as a pupil? He could only assume so. All Jacob could remember was the desperate desire to be outside instead of shackled to the schoolroom. He lifted his eyes to the spotless blue sky, taking in the sun reflecting off the small pond and the trees swaying in the cooling breeze. A day like today would have been torture for him as a pupil; so many other things beckoned. Perhaps he should just let the brats run loose; it wasn’t as though he was a real tutor, by any stretch of the imagination. He didn’t even anticipate being here much longer than a month anyway.
    A vision of Miss Bannister’s face came to mind, lips pursed and eyes glinting with that strange combination of sternness and disappointment that only governesses and mothers could achieve. He could even hear her voice, that practical tone of hers: The most important thing I feel I can teach them is to not give up, that through determination and effort they can achieve their goals.
    With a snort, Jacob pushed himself away from the windowpane. Giving up. The one thing he did well in life, according to his father. Had anyone taught him the way Miss Bannister taught her charges? No one came to mind.
    Think like a child . Miss Bannister’s advice from last night rang in his head. Just try to remember what you would have enjoyed. Not much has changed in twenty years; quite possibly the children will like it as well. Even if they don’t, you have learned something about them.
    Jacob’s eyes focused on the trees again. A foreign