Page 49 of Courting the Country Miss

Upon completing the interview, Elizabeth said, “Wait in the main hall until we’ve completed the interviews, then you’ll come home with me, at least for a time, until we’ve made a decision and you are able to make other arrangements.”

The young woman nodded, her mouth working as if trying to hold back tears. “I’m so grateful to you, my lady.”

After the girl curtsied and left, they looked at each other. Leticia spoke first. “She’s well-spoken and well-educated, but I fear she may be too timid to control a large classroom.”

“She has experience—limited, admittedly—but she does have some.”

“Her experience is with girls who come from better circumstances. Street children may be much more unruly.”

“We shall see,” Elizabeth said.

Cooper announced their second applicant, and they repeated the process but found this one too stern. The third arrived, but after taking a look at the humble accommodations, announced she was no longer interested.

After the third applicant flounced away, Leticia glanced at Elizabeth who chewed on her lower lip.

“I like Mrs. Harper,” Leticia said.

“A trial basis, perhaps, then.” Elizabeth nodded. “If she isn’t up to the challenge of a larger classroom, we can, at the very least, give her a good reference so she may find a position elsewhere, and it will buy us time to find a replacement.”

Leticia pictured a brute trying to take advantage of that sweet slip of a girl in his employment. “Horrid man. I’d like to run him through.”

“Things like that should never happen,” Elizabeth agreed.

They stood and donned their gloves and hats. By then, the fire had died down to embers.

Cooper came in, banked the coals and turned to them. “Ready t’ go ’ome, m’lady?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, we’re going home. The girl in the main hall is coming with us. She’ll be our new teacher, but she shan’t stay here all alone.”

“O’ course not,” Cooper agreed. “Didn’t ye ’ire a caretaker?”

“And a maid, but they won’t arrive until after the furniture comes.”

Cooper summoned the carriage, locked all the doors and windows, then escorted them to the main hall. Did other footmen consider themselves their mistress’s personal bodyguards? Perhaps Richard had put him up to it. It would be so like him to be that protective.

The very young Mrs. Harper stood, chewing on her lower lip as she eyed them.

Leticia smiled. “Mrs. Harper, we’d like to offer you the position of head school mistress. You’ll begin next Monday.”

Mrs. Harper let out her breath in what almost could have been a sob. “Oh, ma’am, my lady, thank you. I promise to do my very best to help the young ones.”

“I’m sure you will,” Leticia soothed. “We have every confidence in your ability. The class will be small at first, but it will grow as word gets out.”

“Yes, ma’am. My last employer had seven active children, including twin boys. I may be small, but I can handle a class.”

Elizabeth said, “Since the school isn’t quite ready for boarders, you’ll stay with me. When the furniture and the other staff arrive, you can move in.”

“The carriage is ’ere, m’lady,” Cooper said.

They boarded the carriage, lighter of heart now that they’d found a schoolteacher. Elizabeth dropped off Leticia at Aunt Alice’s house and she practically skipped inside. The round table in the middle of the foyer groaned underneath the weight of the vases filled with flowers. Bouquets arrived each day for Isabella. What a triumph already!

Isabella entered the room and gestured to the flowers. “Aren’t they pretty? And look; one is for you.” She indicated a vase of red and white roses.

“Me?” Leticia picked up the card.

Dear Miss Wentworth,

I cannot recall when I have enjoyed the company of a lady as much as I enjoyed yours. Please consider doing me the favor of allowing me to call upon you in the near future. I look forward to spending time with you again.