Page 23 of Courting the Country Miss

He paused, looked back.

Richard eyed him with something like—surely not, but it appeared to be—approval. “I think what you’re doing for her is admirable and honorable. I commend you for your efforts.”

Tristan nodded in reply. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d earned Richard’s approval doing something that didn’t include bleeding.

Chapter Seven

Sitting next to Elizabeth on a settee in the small parlor of Mrs. Goodfellow’s institution in London, Leticia folded her hands in her lap to conceal her nervous excitement. Elizabeth looked serene as usual, every inch a countess. Though still fatigued from the journey to Town, Leticia had agreed to accompany Elizabeth as they met with a like-minded individual who might help them with their school. How, remained a mystery, but Leticia trusted Elizabeth.

Elizabeth glanced at Leticia, her eyes sparkling. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m confident Mrs. Goodfellow will help our cause.”

Leticia twisted her gloved hands together, eyeing the tiny stain on the end of her index finger. “Isn’t she already depending on donations to keep her agency open? How could she give us funds?”

“Not funds,” Elizabeth explained. “She may have contacts who would help us.”

Mrs. Goodfellow appeared. The plump, matronly woman wearing a lace cap over salt-and-pepper hair strode in with firm, confident steps. “Lady Averston, delightful to see you again.”

“Thank you for receiving us, Madam. May I present Miss Wentworth?”

They exchanged greetings, and Mrs. Goodfellow poured tea. “How can I be of service, my lady?”

Elizabeth leaned forward. “Miss Wentworth and I have a new venture; we have decided to open a school.”

“Oh? Do you need servants to help staff it?”

“Perhaps a few, but that’s not the reason we’ve come to call. We’re forming a foundation to fund a charity school for girls—especially orphans—to teach them to read and write and perform basic mathematics. It will be similar to your efforts, but more academic.”

“Academic? For girls?” Mrs. Goodfellow’s incredulity seeped out of her voice.

Leticia added, “What you’re doing, is of course, of great value. But think of it; if they had a basic education, they could also work in shops—perhaps own a shop of their own someday. Those who wish to become house servants could obtain higher positions. It would give them a tremendous advantage over the general populace who cannot read.”

Mrs. Goodfellow’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “True, but you will meet with much opposition.”

“We already have,” Elizabeth said.

Leticia nodded. “Lord Petre called it a fool idea that would lead to our ruin.”

“We’re not going to let people like him stop us,” Elizabeth said.

Mrs. Goodfellow set down her tea. “It’s a grand idea. How can I help?”

Elizabeth leaned forward. “Introductions to a few of your benefactors who you think might support our cause as well.”

“What have you tried to raise money?” asked Mrs. Goodfellow.

“Approaching people directly has worked well so far,” Elizabeth said. “We will have a dinner party where we will address the whole group.”

Leticia added, “We also plan to have a subscription ball with all proceeds going to the foundation.”

Mrs. Goodfellow nodded. “Those are all good ideas. I’ll share with you something that worked for me; I enlisted a group of young ladies to sell flowers at the open dances at the park. They carried baskets of flowers as they circulated the area. Young men who wished to impress a girl bought them and gave the flowers to the girls. Perhaps you could do something like that at your ball.”

Leticia turned to Elizabeth. “We could ask Richard to make a point of buying one and presenting it to you. Then you’d gush about how lovely his gesture is, and the men might all follow suit.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I like it.”

Leticia straightened as an idea hit her. “What if we take it a step further? This may sound scandalous at first, but perhaps we could have ladies sell dances.”

“What?” Two pairs of eyes blinked at her.