Page 26 of Courting the Vicar’s Daughter

Mrs. Gilbert patted Daisy gently on the shoulder. “Did they say why?” she asked quietly.

“Yes.” Daisy took in a deep breath before listing everything that had already been said to her, about the general ignorance of children from lower classes, about the uselessness of the plan, and every other remark meant to discourage her. Finally, she gulped back her tears, dried her face with the handkerchief, and fell silent. She didn’t look at Mrs. Gilbert, though the woman had removed her arm.

“I am sorry to trouble you with this, Mrs. Gilbert,” she said after the silence had stretched for several moments.

“What troubles me,” Mrs. Gilbert said, “is that you have not received more support. I find your idea to have real merit.”

Nothing could have surprised Daisy more. She lifted her eyes from her lap at last, seeing Mrs. Gilbert’s concerned frown. “Really?”

“Yes. I can think of a dozen ways an education would aid a family. To be honest with you, Miss Ames, I have thought at times that I wished to do more for people like the Thatchers. They have beautiful children, their mother is an angel on earth, but not one of them knows how to read. They will have trouble enough finding positions for all their children. They would be suitable for more trades, more sorts of employment, with a little education.” Mrs. Gilbert nodded to herself. “I would like to help you, Miss Ames.”

Daisy risked turning into a watering pot again, this time from being treated with honest interest. “That is wonderful, Mrs. Gilbert.”

“I can think of a few other ladies who might be more receptive to your idea,” Mrs. Gilbert added. “Starting with Lady Annesbury.”

Daisy hadn’t even dared to think of approaching the earl’s wife. But Mrs. Gilbert and Lady Annesbury were cousins; if Mrs. Gilbert thought it a good idea, Daisy must approach the countess.

Mrs. Gilbert went to a small desk in the room. For another quarter of an hour, Mrs. Gilbert wrote down names and ideas for Daisy, speaking all the while of the ways in which a school for the girls of Annesbury village would raise the entire community’s standards. The woman spoke with an enthusiasm that lifted Daisy’s spirits considerably, and by the time she walked out the door with the paper in her hands, her dream had righted itself.

Her original purpose had been quite forgotten until she opened her reticule at home and saw she’d stuffed Harry Devon’s handkerchief back inside. Taking it out, Daisy shook her head at herself. She would need to launder it all over again, and make another attempt at returning it.

Daisy hummed a waltz to herself as she laid the handkerchief upon her dressing table, along with Mrs. Gilbert’s notes.

§

Slumping into a chair in the parlor, Harry folded his arms over his chest and glared into the hearth. “I need a new steward.” The realization had been building for some time, but had finally settled firmly that very day. The steward had proudly shown Harry how he had saved money by giving the servants second-hand gifts on boxing day, two years running.

Christine looked up from the book she had been reading. Her husband was stretched out upon a couch, both eyes closed, but he spoke first. “I knew you would come to that conclusion.”

“The steward is too set in his ways—ways Father approved of, but I cannot think are wise. His only concern is the money coming into the estate. He never thinks about the tenants, the servants, or the community.” Harry sunk further down in his seat. “He appears to be an honest man, but not a kind one.”

“What will you do with him?” Christine asked, laying a ribbon in her book before closing its covers. “Is he old enough for a pension?”

Harry considered for a moment, then nodded. “I think so. I can offer that, but if he wishes to keep working I can give him a good reference.” He groaned and pushed himself into a more dignified posture. “I will need to find a new steward immediately.”

“It shouldn’t be too difficult,” Thomas said, still unmoving. “Advertise, check references. Perhaps write to Christian, he may know of someone to fill the position. Or Lucas.”

Asking for help from his brother-in-law, or cousin-in-law, wasn’t entirely appealing. Would he forever be dependent on his relatives? Of course, they were both earls, with seats in the House of Lords, which made them extremely well-connected.

“That would probably be the best thing to do.” Harry folded his arms over his chest. “Do you oversee all your own finances, Thomas?”

His brother-in-law opened one eye and smirked. “Father helps with the household management at this time, though I have been considering finding a steward. But Christine and I handle all the finances related to the horses.”

Harry looked to his sister with some surprise. “Really? I thought you only concerned yourself with bloodlines.”

Christine’s smirk appeared and she shook her book at him. “That is because you never knew how well I do with sums. It isn’t a talent I bandy-about.”

“Why ever not? I could ask you to be my steward.” Harry chuckled and tilted his head back against the chair. “I admire the way the two of you work together so well. Your horses have given you a great deal of success.”

“They have,” Thomas admitted, his eyes both closed again. “And though it has been a great deal of work, it has been worth every moment to reach this point.”

“Achieving a dream is most fulfilling.” Christine rose and went to the couch, lightly tapping her husband’s knee until he moved his legs onto the floor. He sat up and opened an arm for her to snuggle against his side. Harry watched with a fascinated sort of envy. The two of them seemed to have everything they needed to be content. They had their home, their horses, their children, and each other. Christine and Thomas knew where they belonged, and with whom. They had plans as settled and sure as the foundation of their house.

What would it take for him to find such happiness?

“And as we are on the subject of dreams,” Christine continued, oblivious to Harry’s internal musings. “Miss Ames was here earlier today.”

Harry’s attention immediately jumped to his sister. “She was?” he blurted loudly, without thinking. “What was Miss Ames doing here?”