But he still wouldn’t have work in London except for the mission at Wapping, which did not occupy much of his time.
The eyes of his family members were on him. They waiting for his response. “I’m extremely grateful that you are willing to allow me to take over the living, but not fulfil the residency there. That’s very generous. However, the problem remains that I am without a job in London and barred from obtaining one with the church presently. Unfortunately, it would leave me without enough occupation. I’m not a gentleman of leisure by nature.”
“Let me interrupt,” said Charlotte. “The Brody School for Young Ladies would like to offer you both teaching roles at the school. Francis to teach the Classics to the older girls and Clarissa, if your acting engagements permit, to teach elocution and dramatics to the whole school. We would pay a stipend to each of you, which, though not a great amount, should be sufficient to support you, should Clarissa not have stage roles for whatever reason, and fulfil your need to contribute to society.”
Would this enable them to stay together in London?His answer was a decided ‘yes’. Agreement depended on Clarissa’s wishes.
It seemed to be a good long-term solution to Clarissa’s precarious employment and his lack of employment in the city.Francis slid his eyes to Clarissa held his breath, waiting for her to say something—yay or nay—o his sister’s proposal.
He still feared that Clarissa wouldn’t remain with him even though a resolution of their situation was proposed. Her face looked serious, not happy and relieved. His stomach clenched while he waited.
“I don’t wish to give up my acting career, so I think your suggestion is a marvelous solution.” She smiled and her forehead lost its worried frown for the first time since the announcement of his new living. “I will be happy to do both. But you do realize I have no experience as a teacher, don’t you? The Duke Street Orphanage was training me to become a governess, but I never came close to reaching that goal.”
Francis’s sisters spoke at once, full of enthusiasm.
“You’ll be fine.”
“The girls will love you.”
“We’ll help you in every way we can.”
“You won’t be asked to do more than you can cope with.”
“Then you both agree to the proposal?” Jane asked, her gaze jumping between them both.
They turned to each other and shared a hopeful, questioning look. “Yes!” Francis slid his hand across the distance on the sofa to take Clarissa’s hand in his and give it a squeeze. She returned the pressure and gave him a look full of promise. He slipped the glasses case back into his pocket.
“There’s more, too. As you must leave your bachelor lodgings, Francis, you are both welcome to move into Dalton House, if you wish it,” Jane said.
“Or here,” Charlotte said. “Our parents’ room is unoccupied. You are very welcome to reside here with us.”
“The decision is yours entirely,” added Jane. “As newlyweds you may wish to have your own lodgings.”
Francis turned to Clarissa, but couldn’t read her thoughts about the offer. “Thank you, we will discuss your kind propositions.”
“Whenever you’re ready, let us know,” Jane said.
“We’re forgetting our tea and cake,” Katherine interrupted.
“Who needs tea? Pour the wine, Jonathan!” Jane said, pointing to the carafe and glasses on a sideboard.
“Wine! Tea! Cake! Let’s have them all,” Clarissa joined in. A huge smile lit her face.
Thank goodness for his family. Their intervention may just have saved his marriage.
But he needed more than a marriage of convenience. Would it be more than that? He wouldn’t know until they left.
If Clarissa came home with him, he had a good chance.
Chapter Fifteen
Darkness crept over the city like a blanketing fog on as they exited The Brody School. The gas lamp over the blue door drew a warm circle of light around them. Clarissa slid her hand into the crook of Francis’s arm.Hope and anticipation of life with Francis in London, bubbled in her chest.
If only they could agree to the sort of marriage she wanted…yearned for…with him; and return to the place of harmony and bliss they had briefly attained.
“Are you coming home with me?” he asked.
It was Sunday evening. There was no performance tonight. “You want me to?” she asked.
