How would you describe the relationship between the governess and the man who hired her?

Douglas explains that the young woman had interviewed for her first governess job with a gentleman on London's Harley Street.She was quite smitten with him, and he was able to convince her to accept the position of governess to his niece and nephew at his country house Bly. There is one condition: She cannot contact him at any time and must deal with all problems herself. This of course makes the relationship awkward to say the least. I don't believe that we see "uncle" again after the initial interview.