Page 47 of Courting the Country Miss

The thought didn’t quite ring of victory.

Chapter Thirteen

Leticia stood next to Elizabeth staring up at the ramshackle building that would soon become a school. “Are you sure it won’t fall down around us?”

Elizabeth stared up doubtfully. “The agent said it’s in good repair. The roof is new. And the improvements we are making are going well.”

“Let’s go inside.”

They pushed opened the door. Inside, their solicitor stood examining the ceiling. The main hall echoed with their footsteps as they crossed the room.

The older man greeted them. “It’s taking shape. The furniture will begin arriving tomorrow and the books and slates should be here any time.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job,” Elizabeth said. “I don’t know where we’d be without you. And the teachers?” She turned to Leticia.

Leticia nodded. “I’ve been corresponding with the applicants. There are three I’m going to interview this afternoon. Are you able to attend?”

“Of course, but I trust your judgment.”

“I hope one of them will be suitable,” Leticia said. “The applicants all seemed to have a proper education.”

The solicitor interjected. “Are they aware of the wages we can offer?”

“The three I’m interviewing today are.”

“We hope to garner more supporters, then we can give the teacher a raise if she works out.” He made a gesture to the rest of the school. “Come, let me show you around.”

They toured the kitchen. A broken-down table stood in the middle of the room with four rickety wooden chairs but the stove looked capable enough. A small room off the kitchen could board the kitchen help, if the need arose, and one of the rooms upstairs would board the teacher. Perhaps in time, they could house a few children, as well, as a type of charity boarding school. A large room near the main door could provide a place for the children to gather after their studies.

“This would be the perfect room for dancing.” Elizabeth fell into a waltz pattern.

“Dancing would aid them in finding future spouses, since even among working classes, social activities involve dances,” Leticia agreed. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could bring in a piano to accompany them, and perhaps teach some of them to play?”

The solicitor coughed into his fist. “I doubt teaching penniless orphans to play the piano would help them find employment.”

“A piano to provide music so they could learn to dance would be nice.” Elizabeth cast a guilty glance at the solicitor.

The man adjusted his spectacles. “I suggest you focus on the basis of reading and mathematics first before you consider things like dancing and music.”

“We will. For now.” Leticia and Elizabeth smiled like a pair of naughty children in perfect accord with their plans.

They completed the tour, discussing where to place the furniture. Leticia frowned at the small hearth in the schoolroom. “I doubt this will provide adequate heat. Do you think we could squeeze the cost of a second stove out of our budget?”

The solicitor frowned and made calculations. “I believe so, especially if we can find a used one. That would leave us with barely enough funding to keep the school open for a single year, and I don’t recommend having less than a year’s cushion for expenses.”

Leticia imagined little fingers too cold to hold their slates and pencils. “At least they’d be learning. And we may yet receive more pledges.”

The solicitor nodded and turned to leave. “Shall I remain here while you conduct your interviews?”

“No, don’t bother.” Leticia waved her hand. “Two of Lady Averston’s footmen are here if we need anything.”

“In fact, if you’d be so kind as to send one of them in on your way out,” Elizabeth added.

He nodded, bowed, and took his leave.

One of Elizabeth’s footmen came in. “My lady?”

“Oh, Cooper, do light a fire for us, please.”