Read Online Belle (The Daughters of Allamont Hall Book 2) by Mary Kingswood - Free Book Online
Authors: Mary Kingswood
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know a little of every subject,” Amy said.
“He meant people like us, not poor children,” Dulcie said. “There is no purpose to teaching them more than a little reading and writing and perhaps accounting.”
“I agree,” Lady Sara said. “You must not allow the lower orders to get above themselves and become discontented. They have their station in life, and we have ours.”
“Are such subjects taught at your school, Mr Ambleside?” Belle said, unwilling to let the subject drop.
“Mathematics and astronomy, certainly, and Latin and Greek also, since Mr Williams takes in boarders, as well as teaching the village children.”
“Boarders!” Grace said. “What a splendid idea! Our school must take in boarders, too. Then you may have them taught whatever you choose, Belle.”
“Is the cottage large enough to accommodate boarders?” Belle said. “It seemed rather small to me, when last I saw it.”
“Mr Plumstead raised nine children in that cottage, so I think it very adequate,” Grace said.
“It might be perfectly adequate for a gamekeeper,” Mr Ambleside said, with a smile. “A schoolmaster is from a different level of society, and has different expectations. With boarders, it is better for the schoolmaster to have a wife, and then there are usually children, and additional servants, with all the added expense that entails. I believe you should look for a single gentleman initially.”
“But where is one to be found?” Belle said. “How did you find yours, Mr Ambleside?”
“I applied to the school in Brinchester, and they suggested Mr Williams. However, they have been unable to furnish me with anyone suitable for Lower Brinford.”
“We must advertise the position, then,” Grace said.
“Perhaps it will be necessary to do so,” Mr Ambleside said. “However, I will continue to enquire amongst my acquaintance, as it will be a great deal more satisfactory to find someone who comes recommended. Perhaps one of your family might know of someone who would like the position, Lady Sara? The Earl moves in a much wider society than we do here.”
“I do not believe my father would know of anyone suitable,” she said languidly. “Girls, shall we leave Mr Ambleside to his port?”
~~~~~
Mr Turner came promptly the following morning to unlock the money box. Belle and Amy showed him into the book room, and Belle retrieved the box from its hiding place.
“This is one of mine,” Mr Turner said, running his hands over the wood with obvious delight. “Every carpenter knows the little signs of his own hand. Aye, I well remember choosing the wood for this. It was the first of this type I ever made, although I’d watched my father make them often enough. He made several for the late Mr Allamont, may he rest in peace.”
“Several?” Belle said in alarm. “Do you mean to tell me there might be more of these?”
“Oh, aye, my father made a few of these for the Hall, although I don’t know exactly how many and can’t ask, neither, being as he’s dead now, God rest his soul. Passed on last Candlemas, poor man, and him not even sixty.”
Belle made some sympathetic noises. “And can you unlock it, Mr Turner?”
“Aye, should be able to. It’s a solid lock, and would defeat all but the most determined thief, but I know the way of it.” He produced some tools from a pocket, a collection of oddly-shaped slivers of metal. “May I sit down to work? It is a little easier.”
“Of course.”
Belle and Amy withdrew to the window while the carpenter set about his task. “It is very good of you to be taking on the burden of the accounts, dear sister,” Amy said in a low voice. “I am sure I should not have the least idea how to go on with such matters. I am so thankful that I have Mr Ambleside to take care of everything.”
“You have indeed been fortunate in your choice of husband, and who could deserve it more than you!” Belle said. “Now my choice of husband is not so capable with
“He meant people like us, not poor children,” Dulcie said. “There is no purpose to teaching them more than a little reading and writing and perhaps accounting.”
“I agree,” Lady Sara said. “You must not allow the lower orders to get above themselves and become discontented. They have their station in life, and we have ours.”
“Are such subjects taught at your school, Mr Ambleside?” Belle said, unwilling to let the subject drop.
“Mathematics and astronomy, certainly, and Latin and Greek also, since Mr Williams takes in boarders, as well as teaching the village children.”
“Boarders!” Grace said. “What a splendid idea! Our school must take in boarders, too. Then you may have them taught whatever you choose, Belle.”
“Is the cottage large enough to accommodate boarders?” Belle said. “It seemed rather small to me, when last I saw it.”
“Mr Plumstead raised nine children in that cottage, so I think it very adequate,” Grace said.
“It might be perfectly adequate for a gamekeeper,” Mr Ambleside said, with a smile. “A schoolmaster is from a different level of society, and has different expectations. With boarders, it is better for the schoolmaster to have a wife, and then there are usually children, and additional servants, with all the added expense that entails. I believe you should look for a single gentleman initially.”
“But where is one to be found?” Belle said. “How did you find yours, Mr Ambleside?”
“I applied to the school in Brinchester, and they suggested Mr Williams. However, they have been unable to furnish me with anyone suitable for Lower Brinford.”
“We must advertise the position, then,” Grace said.
“Perhaps it will be necessary to do so,” Mr Ambleside said. “However, I will continue to enquire amongst my acquaintance, as it will be a great deal more satisfactory to find someone who comes recommended. Perhaps one of your family might know of someone who would like the position, Lady Sara? The Earl moves in a much wider society than we do here.”
“I do not believe my father would know of anyone suitable,” she said languidly. “Girls, shall we leave Mr Ambleside to his port?”
~~~~~
Mr Turner came promptly the following morning to unlock the money box. Belle and Amy showed him into the book room, and Belle retrieved the box from its hiding place.
“This is one of mine,” Mr Turner said, running his hands over the wood with obvious delight. “Every carpenter knows the little signs of his own hand. Aye, I well remember choosing the wood for this. It was the first of this type I ever made, although I’d watched my father make them often enough. He made several for the late Mr Allamont, may he rest in peace.”
“Several?” Belle said in alarm. “Do you mean to tell me there might be more of these?”
“Oh, aye, my father made a few of these for the Hall, although I don’t know exactly how many and can’t ask, neither, being as he’s dead now, God rest his soul. Passed on last Candlemas, poor man, and him not even sixty.”
Belle made some sympathetic noises. “And can you unlock it, Mr Turner?”
“Aye, should be able to. It’s a solid lock, and would defeat all but the most determined thief, but I know the way of it.” He produced some tools from a pocket, a collection of oddly-shaped slivers of metal. “May I sit down to work? It is a little easier.”
“Of course.”
Belle and Amy withdrew to the window while the carpenter set about his task. “It is very good of you to be taking on the burden of the accounts, dear sister,” Amy said in a low voice. “I am sure I should not have the least idea how to go on with such matters. I am so thankful that I have Mr Ambleside to take care of everything.”
“You have indeed been fortunate in your choice of husband, and who could deserve it more than you!” Belle said. “Now my choice of husband is not so capable with
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