Read Online The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E Ladd - Free Book Online Page A

afternoon he’d presented himself as well-spoken and self-assured. Not at all gruff and harsh like the man they had found unconscious. And yet, she wondered, who was Isabelle? And whyshould he call her name while in such a state? Undoubtedly, she must be far from the type of women who dwelled in Darbury—someone much more fashionable. Elegant.
    She made her way down the darkened corridor, her only distraction the quiet chatter of girls behind closed paneled doors and the muted patter of feet on wooden floors. When she opened the door to the youngest students’ room, she heard a circling of “hushes” and the delightful melody of little-girl giggles.
    She relaxed. This is what she needed to focus on. This, and not on a silly romantic notion of a stranger.
    Patience smiled at her little girls, all gathered by the fire, their stocking feet poking out from the hems of their plain, white muslin gowns. The scent of lavender water from recent baths hung sweetly in the air. Their cheeks, rosy and fresh, glowed with smiles, and their eyes held the glimmer of promised secrets and shared dreams.
    Patience stood in the room and propped her hands on her hips. “And what are you girls giggling at, I wonder?”
    Henny clasped a hand over her mouth and giggled, her brown eyes bright. “Emma said that Delilah ate one of Mr. George’s gloves.”
    The girls covered their mouths and dissolved into laughter.
    Emma drew her knees up to her chest. “She did! She did! And Mr. George was so cross with Delilah.” She clapped her hands over her face. “Poor Mr. George.”
    Patience could not help but smile at the child’s account of the goat. She could not quite understand why the stubborn goat was such a source of amusement for the girls, for the animal was always raising havoc for George and Charlie. But the wilder the goat’s antics, the broader their amusement.
    Patience took her seat in a straight-back wooden chair next to the fire, and the girls gathered around her. Emma. Georgiana. Charlotte. Louisa. Henny.
    Once they were settled, Patience clasped her hands in her lap. “And what shall I read to you tonight?”
    “The Mrs. Teachum book!” cried Louisa, leaning forward, her dark eyes wide with anticipation. The other girls agreed, so Patience sifted through a basket next to her chair of worn novels and pulled a copy of The Governess . She had read this book to the girls so many times she was certain they would tire of it, but instead, they clamored for it. But it was no surprise that the girls would love the story of the adventures of nine young girls at a school much like Rosemere.
    Patience opened to the story “An Account of a Fray, Begun and Carried on for the Sake of an Apple: In Which Are Shown the Sad Effects of Rage and Anger.”
    Patience read with animated voice and dramatic inflection, and the girls, as usual, reacted to the argument the students were having over apples and the ensuing altercation.
    At the end, when the students in the story were reprimanded for their anger and maliciousness, her own students grew somber. Patience closed the book and placed it on her lap. “And what of these young ladies? What can you learn from their misfortune?”
    “Do not argue,” piped Henny.
    Charlotte said, “Be nice.”
    Patience nodded. “You are so right. We must be kind to those around us, even when they do something to hurt or upset us.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You girls have a special bond with one another. There will be times when you will be frustrated with one another, like the girls in the story with the apple. But you must control your temper.” She turned to Louisa. “If you are upset with one of the other girls, what should you do?”
    “Forgive them.”
    “You are correct.” She looked at their faces, so sweet andinnocent. “And what if it is hard to forgive someone? What should you do?”
    “Pray to God for help.” Louisa’s timid answer warmed her.
    They were learning the