Chapter 4

The rain had finally eased by the time Violet settled into the study, preparing for her first official lesson with Clara and Theodore. The large wooden desk had been cleared, save for a few books and sheets of parchment. A nearby window let in the muted afternoon light, the glass still speckled with remnants of earlier showers. The fire in the hearth crackled gently, casting a warm glow over the dark wooden shelves lining the room.

Clara and Theodore arrived shortly after their return from school, still dressed in their uniforms—Theo's neat, well-fitted vest and crisp white shirt a stark contrast to Clara's slightly crumpled blouse, as if she had been fidgeting with it throughout the day. Clara's dark curls framed her delicate face, and she looked somewhat apprehensive as she stepped inside, her hands clasped together. Theodore, standing taller beside her, had an air of quiet confidence, his sharp blue eyes surveying the room before settling on Violet.

"Good afternoon, Miss Rowe," Theodore greeted, his tone polite but measured.

"Good afternoon," Violet replied with a smile, gesturing toward the chairs. "I hope your school day was pleasant."

Clara offered a small shrug as she took a seat. "It was fine."

Theodore glanced at his sister but didn't press the subject. Instead, he settled into his own chair, his posture straight but relaxed. "What will we be going over today?"

"Mathematics first, then Biology," Violet said, sliding a sheet of equations toward each of them. "I thought we could start with some problem-solving and then move on to something a bit more interesting."

Clara picked up her paper, examining it with an expression of mild apprehension. "I'm not very good at Mathematics."

"That's what I'm here for," Violet assured her gently. "We'll take it one step at a time."

Theodore, already scanning the equations, made a thoughtful noise. "These aren't too bad."

Violet chuckled. "I suspected you'd say that."

They worked in near silence for a while, the only sounds being the occasional scratch of a quill against parchment and the distant murmur of the household. Every so often, Clara would hesitate, chewing on her lower lip before glancing at Violet for guidance. Violet patiently walked her through each problem, offering encouragement where needed. Slowly, Clara's nervousness began to ebb, replaced by a quiet concentration.

After a while, Violet noticed a small smile creeping onto Clara's face as she successfully completed an equation without assistance. The sight warmed her. "See? You understand more than you think."

Clara flushed slightly but looked pleased. Violet leaned forward slightly. "You're grasping the concepts well, but you need to trust yourself more. I notice you second-guessing before writing down your answers."

Clara bit her lip. "I just don't want to get them wrong."

"That's understandable," Violet reassured her, "but mistakes are part of learning. You're thinking through each step carefully, which is a good habit. With more confidence, you'll work through these even faster."

Clara flushed slightly but seemed pleased with herself. Theodore, observing from across the table, gave a small nod of approval. "That's good, Clara. You're getting better."

Clara peeked up at him and beamed—a rare, genuine smile.

The sight of it seemed to ease something in Theodore's expression—how long had it been since he saw that smile?

Biology proved to be even more engaging. They discussed anatomy, and Clara, to Violet's delight, showed genuine curiosity, asking questions and even making a few lighthearted remarks. Theodore, though naturally more serious, seemed at ease in the lesson, particularly when he saw Clara enjoying herself. He, too, demonstrated a natural aptitude for the subject, solving problems with the same sharp precision he applied to mathematics. His confidence in both subjects was evident, yet he remained patient when Clara stumbled, occasionally offering his own explanations to help her along.

When the session ended, Clara thanked Violet before retreating to her room, claiming she had reading to do. Theodore lingered behind, hesitating for a moment before finally speaking.

"I wanted to thank you," he said, his voice quieter than usual.

Violet tilted her head. "Whatever for?"

"For being here," Theodore admitted. "Clara has been… distant for so long. She hardly speaks to anyone outside of the family. But today, during the lesson, she smiled. She enjoyed herself. That means a great deal to me."

His words carried a weight that Violet hadn't fully expected. Beneath his composed demeanor, he was just an older brother deeply concerned for his younger sister. The realization softened her view of him even more. When she had first arrived, Theodore, like the rest of the family, had seemed odd—distant, unreadable, and shrouded in an unspoken tension that hung over the household. Yet here, in this quiet moment, he was just a young man who loved his sister. Could it be that there was another side to the rest of them, too? Even Miss Ophelia, who seemed as cold as the halls of this estate, might have layers yet unseen. The thought made Violet reconsider her first impressions, though a lingering unease still whispered at the back of her mind.

"She's a wonderful girl," Violet said warmly. "She just needs encouragement."

Theodore exhaled, running a hand through his auburn, slightly tousled hair. "I worry that she'll always be this way—quiet, distant. She doesn't make friends easily, and I don't want her to be alone."

Violet hesitated before speaking. "She may just need time. And people who truly care about her."

Theodore met her gaze, his blue eyes thoughtful. "Perhaps. Either way, I'm glad you're here. It's already making a difference."

Violet smiled at him, touched by his sincerity. "I'll do my best."

With a small nod, Theodore excused himself, leaving Violet alone in the study, her mind lingering on their conversation. She felt a small sense of accomplishment—her first lesson had gone well, and more importantly, Clara had enjoyed it. But her responsibilities were not yet over for the day. She needed to report to Augustus, and she wondered when she would be summoned to his study after dinner. The thought made her sit up a little straighter. As strange as this household was, she was grateful for the position. It had provided her with stability, comfort, and a roof over her head. Even if the estate was far from a place of warmth and happiness, she had a role to play here, and she would fulfill it.