Chapter Eight #2
Jane exited his rooms, her mind whirring. Questions of how she and her siblings might reduce their household costs and earn an income beyond the small sums her pamphlets brought buzzed in her head.
Anna took Jane’s news stoically, offering to assist in any way she could. She didn’t complain, although she must have realized it meant the end of all social events for her and, in the short term, any hope of a husband.
“Oh, Anna, somehow we have to make ends meet. We must contact all our friends and acquaintances to try to enlist students for our school.”
“I can teach the music and arts subjects,” Anna offered.
“Excellent. I will list everyone we should contact and write a prospectus of subjects offered and fees. We need to start immediately. Tomorrow we can begin with Mrs. Courtice.”
That evening Jane explained their situation to her youngest siblings.
Katherine cried in shock at the thought that her quiet, ordered home would be invaded by strangers who would share her lessons, but she was eventually persuaded by Jane that the strangers should quickly become new friends.
Kit sat at the dining table, silently listening.
“What about you, Kit? Will you be happy with new people joining your lessons?”
“Oh, no! I would much prefer to go into the navy instead. If you are going to have to work, so shall I. It will be wonderful not having to spend every day at lessons but to go to sea and see the world.”
“There is no need for you to join the navy, Kit,” his sisters told him.
“But I want to. I have always wanted to, ever since James came home on leave the first time.”
Jane considered her response. Should she insist he wait or let him have his way? “Well, we shall see if it is possible, as you are so keen to follow your brothers. I will write to them immediately to make a request of their superiors in the Admiralty.”
The rest of their dinner progressed in their usual chatter in various languages.
Jane watched her siblings closely, alert to the fears and sadness she suspected underlay their appearance of normalcy.
For now, they seemed reconciled to their imminent new lives.
In fact, Kit looked joyous—a state of being he had not shown since his father was taken ill.
The next day, Jane and Anna set out in the early afternoon to call on Mrs. Courtice in Cavendish Square. Jane carried a score of prospectuses to hand out, showing the subjects they would teach and the fees they had devised for Miss Brody’s Academy for Young Ladies.
Although they were early arrivals, they found the classically inspired drawing room already occupied by Mrs. Courtice talking with Lady Elizabeth Everslie. They were warmly welcomed by the pair, who hugged them tightly and expressed their sincere condolences.
Mrs. Courtice looked frail to Jane, but Lady Elizabeth appeared blooming. Jane couldn’t resist asking how Dr. Logan fared, although she had seen him within the last week.
Elizabeth blushed self-consciously as she answered. “Dr. Logan was in excellent health when I saw him last.”
“And have you seen him recently, Lady Elizabeth?” Jane asked.
She hesitated before replying. “I saw him briefly yesterday.”
Mrs. Courtice watched with obvious amusement before interrupting. “So, Jane, how are you and your family faring?”
“As well as can be expected, but we have had some bad news from our solicitor. Father was unable to leave us sufficient funds to continue on as we currently live.”
“My goodness! What will you do, Jane?”
“We shall start our own day school. We were hoping our friends would assist by recommending us to their acquaintances. Between Anna and I, we can cover a good curriculum of English, mathematics, history, geography, languages, music, and art. If requested, I could teach introductory Latin and Greek as well as the classics.”
“Will you also teach fancy work and dancing?” asked Elizabeth. “Most parents of young ladies put great emphasis on those accomplishments.”
“We certainly could teach those things, but it would mean bringing in a dance instructor at extra cost. As for fancy work, neither Anna nor I are renowned for our needlework, although we are good plain seamstresses.”
Elizabeth and Mrs. Courtice smiled at Jane’s self-awareness.
“Perhaps you would permit me to take the sewing classes, as that seems to be my greatest accomplishment,” said Elizabeth.
Jane was surprised and grateful for the offer. “You are very kind, Lady Elizabeth, but we could not pay you.”
“Do not even think of it. It will give me pleasure to do something useful and to help you.” Lady Elizabeth looked enthusiastic.
“Do you have a list of potential parents to approach, Jane?” Mrs. Courtice asked.
“Indeed I do.” She smiled. “And I hope you can assist us in our mission.”
“Let me see who you have, and I will add any additional ladies I can think of.”
Jane retrieved the list from her reticule and passed it to her friend, who read it carefully before walking to her secretaire to add some more names. Then she asked Jane and Anna for the details of their undertaking.
“I will go out directly and start calling on those on your list whom I have marked. I will vouch for your characters and education and advise each lady that you are commencing next Monday. That will give you almost a week to organize your lesson plans and supplies. I think your fees are reasonable for what you can offer. I do so hope that you are successful.”
“And I shall do the same,” said Elizabeth. “I am looking forward to my first efforts at teaching.”