“We aren’t supposed to go near the beach,” Rosemary reminded them.
“We aren’t supposed to go near the water,” Olivia reminded them. “But a group could go to the beach.”
Victoria looked around. “Five is a group.”
Eliza hopped off of the bed. “Well, it’s at least better than staying inside and reading boring journals from Egypt.”
“They aren’t boring,” Rosemary defended. “They are from my mother.”
“You can read them later,” Eliza insisted. “Let’s go explore, maybe we’ll discovery something interesting.”
That was highly doubtful, but Sophia was tired of her friend complaining, so she set the journal aside and joined the others as they made their way to the beach, using the path from the neighboring Harrington Manor where the twins’ other brother now lived.
“I hope the dolphins are playing. They’re so much fun to watch,” Victoria offered.
“Seals may be sunning themselves on rocks too,” Olivia suggested.
“The other day I saw a whale,” Rosemary exclaimed.
It wasn’t unusual to see dolphins or seals, but it was unusual to see a whale and Sophia wished she had seen it too.
“What is Miss Doyle doing down here?” Eliza whispered as they reached the sand.
None of them knew, of course, but one of their newer teachers, Miss Caitlin Doyle, could often be found on the beach, staring out over the water during her free time.
“Girls, what are you doing down here,” Miss Doyle demanded gently.
“We just wanted to walk,” Victoria answered quickly. “We are in a group.”
Miss Doyle smiled. “Yes, you are but stay away from the water.”
“We promise.” Olivia formed an “X” over her heart.
“Miss Doyle, why do you stand here so often?” Eliza asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Oh, Sophia hated it when Eliza was bored and then became curious. Such usually lead to trouble.
“I suppose I come down here because I miss my home, my mother, father, brother and sister. The ocean helps me feel closer to them,” she answered wistfully.
Eliza gave Sophia a puzzling frown.
“When I was younger, we’d picnic on a beach, much like this one. We’d fly kites and play in the surf…” She sighed and though Miss Doyle smiled, there was sadness in her eyes.
“Come along,” Sophia said. “We shouldn’t disturb Miss Doyle. This is her day free of teaching so she should be free of us as well.”
“Where do you think they are,” Eliza asked when the girls were further down the beach. “Her family that is.”
“Maybe too far way to visit.” She glanced back. “She’s looking toward Ireland. Maybe they are still there.” Not that anyone could actually see Ireland, but it was in the direction Miss Doyle faced.
They knew little about her. Less than any other teacher. She had joined the school last fall but other than finding out her first name was Caitlin, that was all she had ever revealed.
Sophia glanced back. Plus, she was very sad.
* * *
Mayfair, London
Henry had anticipated a slow process of instruction, though he’d already glimpsed intelligence in that pretty head of Miss Doyle’s, but he never could have dreamed in his wildest imagination that she not only spoke French, but that her education was more of what a young man would receive.
