Chapter Eight #3
Jane beamed at her. “We would be very grateful if you could.” But would Dalton believe it was beneath the dignity of the sister of a Marquess to teach at a girls’ school?
“Ought you to obtain your brother’s permission first?
” Jane asked. She ground her teeth at the very idea that an adult woman should need permission from a man to teach young ladies needlepoint.
Elizabeth paused and there was no hint of doubt in her answer. “I don’t see how he could have any objection.”
Jane nodded in acceptance, although she wondered if Lady Elizabeth was correct.
By the time Jane and Anna left Mrs. Courtice, Jane felt more confident that their enterprise would succeed. Arm in arm, the sisters walked to the home of the first person on their list. They made half a dozen calls of varying success—enough to give them hope their enterprise would succeed.
That night when she flopped onto her bed in relief, Jane thought again of Lady Elizabeth’s offer to assist. It had been a godsend.
So many of the mothers had asked for instruction in fancy work.
Jane was thankful she had been able to assure them that the lessons would be conducted by the Marquess of Dalton’s sister, whose fine needlework was known by many of them.
Her name certainly enhanced their establishment.
It was impossible then not to think of Lady Elizabeth’s brother.
Their brief and highly emotional encounter seemed a lifetime ago.
Although she hadn’t seen him once since, it had replayed in her mind throughout the exhausting nursing of her father.
She had known him such a short time, but she thought of him often.
After a week of social calls and preparations, they were ready for their first day of the new school. It began early, as Jane’s days always did. Instead of writing pamphlets at dawn, she finalized lesson plans for the six girls who would attend.
Anna was eager but nervous about teaching children other than her siblings.
Jane spent breakfast reassuring her that all would be well.
“Besides, Lady Elizabeth will be here with us this afternoon for the sewing lesson. All the mothers want their daughters to have daily embroidery lessons, so Lady Elizabeth will be very busy.”
As quickly as the first day began, it was over. At three o’clock, when the last nursemaid led her charge away, Jane, Anna, and Elizabeth collapsed on the worn sofa in the sitting room.
“Anna, pull the bell for tea please,” Jane requested. “I don’t think I could get up again.”
No sooner had they finished their tea and scones than their maid knocked on the door and announced the Marquess of Dalton, who entered immediately.
Jane jumped to her feet, brushing her dress to dispel its creases. “Lord Dalton. We weren’t expecting you. But of course, we ought to, as of course you might collect your sister. I just didn’t think.” Jane mentally groaned as she listened to herself blathering on.
Dalton’s face was unsmiling. He bowed stiffly.
Anna sent a quick look of surprise at her and calmly greeted Dalton. He accepted her offer of afternoon tea, and took the seat she pointed him to as she rang the bell for more hot water.
“Allow me to tell you both how deeply sorry I am about your father’s passing. He will be very missed, not only by his family, but by his many friends, acquaintances, and parishioners.”
“Thank you, Lord Dalton, you are very kind,” responded Jane formally.
“Despite the circumstances, I am glad to see that you are acting boldly to secure your future, Miss Brody.”
Jane twisted her hands in the skirt of her dress, flustered by his praise. She stammered a thank-you.
His face remained impassive despite her gauche behavior. “My sister informs me that you have commenced a school for young ladies. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know.”
“We will.” Jane smiled her thanks. “Perhaps one way in which you could assist would be to help us in our quest for a midshipman’s position for our brother, Kit. He desires a naval career, and now is the right time for him to start, as he is the usual entry age.”
He inclined his head. “I will enquire of my contacts in the Admiralty.”
“Thank you. We would be so glad to see Kit settled. It can be no fun to be the only boy in a girls’ school,” Anna said.
“And perhaps as he gets older, unseemly,” said Dalton.
Jane could only agree that in time it might deter some parents from enrolling their daughters.
The awkwardness of this meeting was worse than Jane had imagined, but as the visit drew to a close, she didn’t want it to end. She searched his face for any sign of his emotions but could see none. He was master of the impassive.
Her emotions seesawed from blushing embarrassment to bewildered joy at seeing him again.
Watching his face as he teased his sister, she remembered with surprise the way the corners of his eyes crinkled.
He listened with interest as Anna spoke of the children in her class, but with Jane he was almost silent.
When the siblings departed, Jane sighed with relief and realized how tense she had been for the half hour of the visit. Would the next meeting be easier?