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important for the boys to learn how to add and subtract, and the girls how to sew a neat seam. Since most of the parents in the parish worked hard each day to keep food on the table, there wasn’t time to see to a child’s education. That would be her place.
    Their tour came to an end at the same time Abigail decided to seek out Joseph so they could make some plans. Her life had taken an abrupt turn by marrying a rector. Days filled with helping people live a better life would replace visits to the modiste, musicales, balls, and parties.
    She couldn’t wait to start her new life.

Chapter Six
    Joseph stood at the front of the assembly room and rapped on the table with a gavel. “My friends, may I have your attention, please? If you would take your seats, we can start.”
    Abigail sat at the head table, feeling a tad uncomfortable as murmurs crested over the group like an ocean wave. Apparently someone—most likely Lady Durham—had passed the word that their rector had married. As men tend to do, Joseph seemed oblivious to the whispers and glances cast at her. But she wasn’t.
    Slowly, those who had been standing at the back of the room took their seats and after one more rap of the gavel, the room grew silent.
    “Before we begin our meeting, I would like to take this opportunity to present my wife, Lady Abigail Fox.” He held up his hand as questions rose from the crowd. “I will be happy to have you greet Lady Abigail when we are finished. I am sure you will all welcome her and make her feel at home here at St. Gertrude’s.”
    Abigail’s gaze roamed the room while Joseph spoke to his parishioners about the new school, and how beneficial it would be to their children. The women seemed much more interested in the rector’s wife than the school. Most smiled shyly at her, a few of the younger ones with a bit of regret. Joseph had apparently been on several women’s list of potential husbands.
    Most of the members of Joseph’s parish were hard working farmers and tradespeople. Before she and Joseph had taken their places at the head of the room, she’d been introduced to Baron Moreledge and his wife. The baron was very friendly, but the baroness took it upon herself to inform Abigail that there weren’t too many people in Abbysby End who were of their station .
    Abigail had chuckled to herself since it apparently hadn’t occurred to the baroness that Joseph was not of their station, either. But aside from that remark, she seemed friendly enough, and offered to have Abigail to tea one afternoon so she could spend time with other women of the parish.
    After Joseph’s talk, a few of the parishioners had questions, mostly about how many hours a day the children would need to be away from home. It also appeared the tradespeople and shopkeepers saw more of a benefit to the school than the farmers did. No surprise there.
    “That is all I have to say about the school right now. If there are no further questions, then we can enjoy the punch and biscuits the ladies have prepared for us.” Joseph turned to Abigail. “Perhaps it would be best if you joined the other ladies for refreshments.”
    She nodded and headed to the table where the women had gathered.
    “Mrs. Fox,” one of the women greeted her, “so nice of you to join us.”
    “Wilma, it is not Mrs. Fox, but Lady Abigail. Didn’t you listen when Mr. Fox introduced her?” A rotund woman did a slight curtsey to Abigail as she cast a disparaging glance at the hapless matron.
    “That is quite all right. And who may you be?” Abigail asked the first woman.
    “My lady, I am Mrs. Richard Steeves. My husband is a solicitor. I’m sorry to greet you incorrectly.” She blushed and wrung her hands.
    “Please, do not distress yourself.” Abigail turned an inquisitive eye to the other woman.
    “My lady, I am Widow Barnes. I do sewing for the village. Mr. Fox has graciously allowed me to do some tailoring for him, but I am sure your ladyship has a wonderful