Hester's Hope

competitive nature and his sister’s desire to be the best at everything had been a boon for her throughout the day. It had kept the children working hard to impress her.
“I’m not going if you aren’t,” Bev said her eyes filling with tears, as doubt made her lower lip quiver. “I’ll be too frightened. We always ruin everything.”
“That’s not true,” Hester’s heart hurt at the girl’s words. “You’ll be fine. This is the world you were born for.” Hester smoothed the girl’s hair with a hand. “Can you imagine me showing up dressed like this?” Hester grinned, looking down at her old dress and blackened apron.
“You can wear one of Mama’s dresses,” Beverly’s eyes were imploring as she grasped Hester’s hand. “You have to come, you’re our governess and governesses come to dinner.”
Hester tried to protest pulling back even as Jonas grabbed her other hand, but the children both insisted. If she refused now, the children would think she didn’t believe in them. Reluctantly, Hester allowed the children to lead her down the hall to another room. She had come too far in this game to turn back now. The children, though spoiled, arrogant, and full of trouble, were still children. They wanted to know that someone cared. It wasn’t their fault that grownups had let them down by allowing them unchecked reign of their behavior.
“I’m not sure this is the right thing to do.” Hester insisted, looking at the beautiful array of dresses in the wardrobe of an elegantly decorated room.
“It is,” Beverly stated, her eyes growing stormy as she looked up at Hester. “If we can do it, so can you. We’ve had more fun today than we have in ages, and it’s all because of you.”
“Please Hester,” Jonas begged. “You have to keep score for the game and see which one of us wins.”
“But these aren’t mine.”
“Mama wouldn’t care,” Beverly’s eyes were filling with tears. “You’re just borrowing it for tonight. I come in here and try on Mama’s things all the time when I miss her. How is that any different?”
Hester pulled her bottom lip between her teeth studying the pretty dresses. Reaching out she ran her hand over the simplest dress she could find.
Below stairs a gong sounded and Hester jumped. The moment of truth had come. She had been hired to keep the children occupied for the evening, and she was doing just that. Her hands shook as together she and her charges walked down the stairs.
***
Cecil looked up at a soft tread on the stairs as his guests filtered through the dining room door. His breath left his lungs in shock at the lovely woman walking toward him flanked by Jonas and Beverly. Could this be the same girl he had hired to watch his wards just that morning? Then she had been wearing a plain day dress covered by a filthy apron, but now, garbed in a powder blue gown, nipped in at the waist by a wide belt. The smooth lines and lack of bustle offset the young woman’s slim figure, and the see-through mutton sleeves accented well sculpted arms.
“Children, greet your uncle,” Hester said trying to keep the tremor from her voice as she touched at her hair with trembling fingers.
“Good evening Uncle Cecil,” Beverly smiled, offering her uncle a small curtsey.
“Uncle,” Jonas greeted in a very grown up voice, marching to the bottom of the stairs and shaking his uncle’s hand.
“What on earth!” Mrs. August exclaimed as she walked into the hall. “How dare you wear the mistress’s dress.” The old housekeeper’s eyes flashed with anger.
Hester flicked her eyes between Mrs. August and Mr. Payton. The former had hired her as a maid, the later, the caregiver of two troubled children.
“Mr. Payton,” she spoke pulling her courage about her like a cloak. “I believe you entrusted me with your niece and nephew. They have asked me to accompany them to dinner. If you wish me to leave after, I will go without complaint, but a promise given is a promise kept.”
“Please don’t make her go away uncle,” Bev said, grasping Hester’s arm. “I told her to wear Mama’s dress. I don’t want her to go.”
“She doesn’t have to go,” Cecil said his eyes straying back to the woman in question.
“But Mr. Payton,” Mrs. August protested. “Your brother never allowed the children in to dinner. And this…” Mrs. August twisted lip spoke more than words could tell.
“My brother is no longer with us,” Cecil said lifting a hand and taking Hester’s as she descended the last few stairs. “Perhaps it is time for some things to change around here.” He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the lovely vision he held lightly by her fingers. “Children, I’m pleased you could join us.” Carefully he tucked Hester’s hand into the crook of his arm, turning to see that Jonas did the same for Beverly before walking into the dining room.
All heads turned as Cecil led the little entourage in to dine. For the past few months he had done nothing but struggle to keep his young charges under control. To make them listen or provide them with the right person to see to their needs. Time and time again, it had all failed, with no nanny, teacher, or governess staying more than a few short days, but now here they were, acting, for all intents and purposes, like well mannered little people.
Carefully seating Miss Johnson, Cecil indicated that Jonas and Bev should take a seat then nodded to Abel. “Abel, friends, I would like to present to you my nephew Jonas Payton, and my niece,  Miss Beverly Payton, and Miss Johnson, their governess. We are pleased to have them attend us this evening. Please be seated.”
Men and women along the table took their places, nodding, and shooting curious glances at the children and their care giver. It was highly unusual to see the Payton children, let alone dine with them. Apparently more had changed since Carver Payton and his wife