I still call-in at the school at least once a week, to teach arithmetic and to hear how the pupils are getting on. Becky attends there now, as does Dory’s younger sister. How satisfying to see them learn and gain confidence as young women of worth.
To reach the school, I must pass by the village lockup. Whenever I do, I cannot help but look at that little place and remember. How long ago it seems. Thankfully so!
Shaking off thoughts of the past, I look at the riverbank once more and watch them—these men of my son’s family. Mr. Croome, Lord Brightwell, Edward, Andrew. Great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and adopted brother. And a second grandfather inside. How blessed our Avery is. How blessed we all are.
As if sensing the direction of my thoughts, Edward, line in the water, looks over his shoulder, and our gazes catch. His knowing smile gladdens my heart.
Suddenly his line pulls taut and is nearly jerked from his hand. “I think I have one!” he calls, his voice as excited as a little boy’s. Instantly, Mr. Croome is there beside him—hand on Edward’s shoulder, leaning near, encouraging, and instructing him on how to land the prize. My heart aches and my eyes burn to see it.
And then the fish, a very tiny fish, is brought to shore to the cheers of Audrey and Andrew. Mr. Croome, his scowl noticeably absent, claps Edward on the back, and says in a hoarse voice, “Well done, lad. Well done.”
When Edward looks across at me once more, there are tears in his dear blue eyes, and answering tears fill my own. I breathe another prayer of thanksgiving for all God has done in our lives.
Well done indeed.
Author’s Note
The idea for this novel was inspired by Mahler’s Third Symphony, which I heard many years ago on a road trip to Davenport, Iowa. I admit I rarely listen to classical music, but that day, as I did, whole scenes spun forth like a movie in my mind. Today, very little of that original story remains, which—hopefully—means that I have become a better researcher and writer since then. Still, Mahler’s Third remains the “soundtrack” of the first two chapters.
Brightwell Court is not a real place, but it was loosely inspired by the very real, very picturesque Bibury Court in the Cotswold village of Bibury, which the artist William Morris called “the most beautiful village in England.” Many thanks to author Davis Bunn for recommending that my husband and I take tea there during our first England trip. We happily did so. Not only did we enjoy the ivy-covered Tudor manor, the lovely grounds bordered by the curvy River Coln, and the greedy ducks that nipped at our scones, but I also realized it would make an ideal setting for The Silent Governess. I am not the first, nor will I be the last, to set a novel in that idyllic place. If you ever have the opportunity, I hope you will visit Bibury yourself.
I have been fascinated by governesses ever since my sixth-grade teacher read aloud Jane Eyre to us, in short increments over several weeks, with real emotion and even mascara-tears. My thanks to Ms. Rebecca Hayes, now Morgan, for sparking my lifelong love of British literature.
As always, heartfelt appreciation to my family, church-family, friends, and Bethany House colleagues for all their encouragement and support. Special thanks to my diligent and thoughtful editor Karen Schurrer and to author Laurie Alice Eakes for her gracious help with historical details.
And with deepest gratitude to God, the giver and fulfiller of dreams, and for His glory.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Reading Group
Discussion Questions
Which character in the novel did you most like or relate to? What drew you to that character?
The book’s opening quote says, “The best proof of wisdom is to talk little, but to hear much. . . .” Do you agree? Have you ever wished too late you had followed this advice?
Has a childhood regret remained with you into adulthood? What have you learned about getting past such regrets?
What did you learn about the life of governesses that surprised you? Do you think you would have enjoyed being a governess in the early nineteenth century?Why or why not?
Governesses were expected to teach literature, poetry, French, Italian, geography, the sciences, religion, arithmetic, needlework, dancing, drawing, and to play a musical instrument. How does this compare with your own (or your children’s) education? Anything on the list you wish you’d had the chance to learn?
How might discovering that your origins are different from what you’ve always believed affect you? Would you have reacted differently than Edward?
Legal adoption as we know it was not practiced in Regency England. Unless a child was a peer’s natural son born in wedlock, he might be left some money but could not inherit his father’s title or estate. Women could not usually inherit either. Did this surprise you? Strike you as unfair?
Where do you get your identity? From your parents, your profession, your kids, your church, your relationship with God? How has the source of your identity changed over the years?
Has your view of God been influenced by your earthly father or another person? Positively or negatively? If negatively, what ways have you found to overcome that influence?
Did any character or happening in the novel surprise you? How so? And did you enjoy the twist?
For additional book club resources, please visit
www.bethanyhouse.com/anopenbook.
About the Author
JULIE KLASSEN is a fiction editor with a background in advertising. She has worked in Christian publishing for more than fourteen years, in both marketing and editorial capacities. This is her third novel.
Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She enjoys travel, research, books, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.
She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.
For more information about Julie and her books, visit
www.julieklassen.com.
Books by
Julie Klassen
Lady of Milkweed Manor
The Apothecary’s Daughter
The Silent Governess
The Girl in the Gatehouse
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
Julie Klassen, The Silent Governess
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