Read Online The Sergeant Major's Daughter by Sheila Walsh - Free Book Online
Authors: Sheila Walsh
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also ride Starlight whenever she wished, but a tentative proposal that she should take up residence in the diminutive dwelling adjoining the schoolroom was firmly rejected.
“No, Miss Vale,” said the Earl. “Under no circumstances will I entertain such a notion. You will continue to live at Cheynings. Not only is the schoolhouse totally unsuited to a young girl living alone...”
“You flatter me, my lord,” she put in, amused. “I am two and twenty, you know — and have been out of leading strings for years. I am well able to take care of myself.”
I do not doubt it, ma’am. I cannot ima gine you were ever easy to lead, but my decision remains unaltered Putting other considerations aside, there is Jamie. Would you desert him?”
Of course she would not — and so all her hastily assembled arguments were quashed before they ever found utterance.
A nursemaid had been found locally for Jamie—a sensible country girl who had grown up in a large family and knew exactly how a small boy’s mind worked. Amaryllis was not overly pleased by Rose Hibberd’s appointment, but this was due mostly to a perverse resentment of Felicity ’ s new-found independence.
Miss Vale and her gig were soon a familiar sight in the village. News of a proposed school had traveled fast, and if the children were unsure, their parents were not. Offers of help flooded in, but it was Ester Graham who haunted the schoolroom, drawn there from the very first ; it was Ester who helped to lay out benches and to unpack the s hi ny new slates, while young Willie stood staring at F elicity, unblinking and expressionless, and the baby crooned in a basket nearby.
Felicity had been unsure how many the school was to cater for and in the end she had been obliged to consult Lord Stayne.
“I am in some difficulty, my lord,” she began. “Do you wish me to take only the children of your own workers and tenants, or is the school to be open to all?”
“I have given the matter very little thought, Miss Vale. Is it important?”
“Well, sir, I have been approached by several people ...”
“From the Manor Court estate?”
“Yes,” said Felicity. “They seem very keen.”
“Then you must do as you think best,” said the Earl with patent disinterest. “I would not hazard a guess as to Hardman’s views. He is away at present, I believe. He has iron foundries in Shropshire which take a great deal of his time. I doubt he will concern himself overmuch. Yes. Do as you please in the matter.”
Felicity took a deep breath. “Then ... may I make a suggestion, sir?”
He viewed her with deep misgivings. “I have the oddest conviction that I am about to be cozened.”
“Nothing of the kind, my lord.” She met his bright dark gaze with equanimity. “I wanted to ask you about Ester Graham.”
“What about Ester Graham?”
“Would you consider employing her as my assistant at the school? She is well educated and if we are to have greater numbers I should find her help invaluable.”
The bright gaze never wavered and his continuing silence made her jumpy. Her words tumbled out in a rush. “Well, you did make a point of telling me that you would help her more if you could!”
The Earl sat on a corner of his desk and folded his arms. “So I did, Miss Vale. You have an excellent memory. I do trust you are not going to store up all my little bon mots and trot them out when occasion demands. I should not know a moment’s ease!” He scowled. “How much is it to be this time?”
“I beg your pardon, sir?”
“How much am I to pay Mrs. Graham? Come now—do you not wish to negotiate her salary? You drove a hard enough bargain with regard to your own. Surely she is worthy of equal resolution?”
Felicity turned bright crimson and was almost provoked into indiscretion; but she must not jeopardize Ester’s chances, so she strove to compose a calm reply.
The Earl continued to observe her. “You are slow to answer, Miss Vale. Shall I tell you
“No, Miss Vale,” said the Earl. “Under no circumstances will I entertain such a notion. You will continue to live at Cheynings. Not only is the schoolhouse totally unsuited to a young girl living alone...”
“You flatter me, my lord,” she put in, amused. “I am two and twenty, you know — and have been out of leading strings for years. I am well able to take care of myself.”
I do not doubt it, ma’am. I cannot ima gine you were ever easy to lead, but my decision remains unaltered Putting other considerations aside, there is Jamie. Would you desert him?”
Of course she would not — and so all her hastily assembled arguments were quashed before they ever found utterance.
A nursemaid had been found locally for Jamie—a sensible country girl who had grown up in a large family and knew exactly how a small boy’s mind worked. Amaryllis was not overly pleased by Rose Hibberd’s appointment, but this was due mostly to a perverse resentment of Felicity ’ s new-found independence.
Miss Vale and her gig were soon a familiar sight in the village. News of a proposed school had traveled fast, and if the children were unsure, their parents were not. Offers of help flooded in, but it was Ester Graham who haunted the schoolroom, drawn there from the very first ; it was Ester who helped to lay out benches and to unpack the s hi ny new slates, while young Willie stood staring at F elicity, unblinking and expressionless, and the baby crooned in a basket nearby.
Felicity had been unsure how many the school was to cater for and in the end she had been obliged to consult Lord Stayne.
“I am in some difficulty, my lord,” she began. “Do you wish me to take only the children of your own workers and tenants, or is the school to be open to all?”
“I have given the matter very little thought, Miss Vale. Is it important?”
“Well, sir, I have been approached by several people ...”
“From the Manor Court estate?”
“Yes,” said Felicity. “They seem very keen.”
“Then you must do as you think best,” said the Earl with patent disinterest. “I would not hazard a guess as to Hardman’s views. He is away at present, I believe. He has iron foundries in Shropshire which take a great deal of his time. I doubt he will concern himself overmuch. Yes. Do as you please in the matter.”
Felicity took a deep breath. “Then ... may I make a suggestion, sir?”
He viewed her with deep misgivings. “I have the oddest conviction that I am about to be cozened.”
“Nothing of the kind, my lord.” She met his bright dark gaze with equanimity. “I wanted to ask you about Ester Graham.”
“What about Ester Graham?”
“Would you consider employing her as my assistant at the school? She is well educated and if we are to have greater numbers I should find her help invaluable.”
The bright gaze never wavered and his continuing silence made her jumpy. Her words tumbled out in a rush. “Well, you did make a point of telling me that you would help her more if you could!”
The Earl sat on a corner of his desk and folded his arms. “So I did, Miss Vale. You have an excellent memory. I do trust you are not going to store up all my little bon mots and trot them out when occasion demands. I should not know a moment’s ease!” He scowled. “How much is it to be this time?”
“I beg your pardon, sir?”
“How much am I to pay Mrs. Graham? Come now—do you not wish to negotiate her salary? You drove a hard enough bargain with regard to your own. Surely she is worthy of equal resolution?”
Felicity turned bright crimson and was almost provoked into indiscretion; but she must not jeopardize Ester’s chances, so she strove to compose a calm reply.
The Earl continued to observe her. “You are slow to answer, Miss Vale. Shall I tell you
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