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if trying to anticipate what he was going to say. ‘I was thinking about you being taught on your own, without any other children to exchange ideas with.’ He thought she seemed to relax, although her eyes remained alert. ‘And I wondered if you’d like to go to school,’ he continued. ‘The children in Gouda I told you about go to a local school, and I understand they enjoy it. What do you think? I haven’t discussed it with your mama yet, but I’m sure we could find a good school in Hull.’
    Her face brightened. ‘Oh, yes please, Papa. I would. I really would like that. When? When could I start?’
    â€˜Perhaps next term. We must find somewhere suitable first and make sure there’s a place for you.’ He got to his feet. ‘I’ll speak to Mama later and ask her opinion.’
    â€˜Will she mind, do you think?’ she asked anxiously. ‘She likes me to be at home.’
    He patted her head. ‘I’ll persuade her.’ He smiled conspiratorially. ‘I know how.’
    Closing the door behind him, he stood for a moment, pondering, and then heard Margriet saying eagerly, ‘What do you think about that, Anneliese? Won’t that be such splendid fun?’
    And then the other piping voice, but undoubtedly Margriet’s own, saying, ‘But will I be able to come with you, Margriet? It won’t be fair if you leave me behind.’
    â€˜I won’t do that,’ Margriet replied. ‘Not ever. You are my very best friend.’

CHAPTER NINE
    Rosamund was dubious. ‘She might pick up bad habits at a dame school,’ she complained. ‘She will not be taught to be a lady.’
    â€˜Perhaps not,’ he said. ‘But you are able to teach her those attributes. I’m more concerned that she’s always alone and doesn’t know any other children. She needs to be integrated with others.’ He didn’t tell Rosamund what he had overheard. He knew she would be concerned and would probably question Margriet about it.
    But he told her about the Jansen children, and about Nicolaas. She was horrified. ‘But he is still young, is he not? Much too young to die. Your age, if you were at school together. That is so sad, so difficult to comprehend.’ He was heartened by her sympathy for his friend, although musing that it was unusual. ‘And his wife,’ she continued in the same dismayed and apprehensive tone. ‘How ever will she manage without her husband’s support? Is she young enough to marry again? Can she go back home to live with her parents?’
    â€˜Her parents?’ He frowned. ‘Why would she do that? She’s not a young girl; she has a home and children to take care of. Nicolaas will have made provision for her and the children, but she will have to make a new life without him.’
    â€˜But how can she?’ Rosamund said. ‘Who will make decisions for her?’
    He shook his head in bemusement. ‘Women can make their own decisions,’ he said. ‘You make decisions. You will decide whether or not Margriet should attend dame school.’
    â€˜But I might choose the wrong school,’ she floundered. ‘And besides, I meant on important matters. I can make rules for Margriet and attend to the servants, but affairs of significance are left to you.’
    She didn’t say what affairs of significance she was referring to and he thought she meant money matters. She was clearly agitated, and he wondered if she had awoken to the possibility that she too might be left a young widow. It was plain, he considered ruefully, that she wouldn’t stay widowed for long but would look for a husband to take his place. Although he was mildly amused, he reminded himself that he still hadn’t been to see Hugh Webster and must do so immediately, for if such an unlikely event did occur Rosamund would be a very rich widow indeed.
    He made enquiries about dame