Read Online To Tame a Dangerous Lord by Nicole Jordan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nicole Jordan
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English speech and grammar, which will be vitally important to our students’ success in life. And as a teacher, the more enjoyable you can make the process, the more readily your instruction will sink in. Your area of expertise will actually give you a certain cachet with our girls, Miss Ellis. They are wild about French fashions, so if you could somehow procure a handful of magazines from Paris—the equivalent of our
La Belle Ensemble
—they will no doubt worship you.”
Her amusement stirred by the countess’s wry tone, Madeline finally allowed herself to smile in return. “I believe I can comply, Lady Danvers, since I have numerous connections in the émigré community, many ofwhom were aristocrats in their own country before the Revolution deprived them of their lands and titles.”
“All the better,” Lady Danvers replied. “Very well, then. I would like to offer you a position at our academy, Miss Ellis—one class per day to begin with. I can promise you a generous salary, although your employment would be temporary for now. Haviland will vouch for you, but since your late employer failed to supply you a character reference, I’m sure you understand that I would be wise to investigate your background more thoroughly. If you could suggest a list of your former neighbors or other acquaintances, I will write to them immediately. We will make the position permanent once I have had the chance to confirm my initial instincts about you. And of course, you will want to be certain that you enjoy teaching enough to continue.”
It was indeed wise, Madeline thought, and only fair. She would be in charge of shaping the lives of over two dozen young women, and Lady Danvers had a responsibility to ensure that their teachers were highly qualified.
Madeline was confident, however, that she would take well to teaching. After serving as a lady’s companion for so many years, she was eager for the mental stimulation and social interaction that working at the academy would provide her. And her deficiencies in pretending subservience would not be as great a drawback. Indeed, teaching should suit her best of the few genteel occupations open to her.
“Thank you, my lady,” she said sincerely. “I would very much like to accept your offer.”
“Excellent. But please, call me Arabella. If you are agreeable, I will take you to visit the academy tomorrow. Our classes on Saturdays are only for half days, sothat will be an opportune time to introduce you to your fellow teachers and pupils. I would do so this afternoon, but I am holding a ball here this evening and I need time to prepare.”
“That is entirely agreeable,” Madeline said, appreciating even more that her new employer had taken time out of her busy schedule to conduct their interview when she had a ball to plan.
“Oh, and you must stay here at Danvers Hall until we get all the details of your employment sorted out and you can find suitable lodging of your own.”
Madeline started to refuse the countess’s remarkable offer of hospitality, not wanting to impose, but Lord Haviland spoke for the first time in several minutes.
“You can count your lodging here as part of your salary, Miss Ellis,” he pointed out, as if knowing exactly what was on her mind. “And you will be doing her ladyship a favor, beginning your duties on such short notice.”
“Indeed, you will,” the countess agreed.
Not wanting to appear ungrateful, Madeline amended her reply. “You are very generous, Lady Danvers.”
“Arabella, please … and I hope I may call you Madeline.”
“Yes, of course … Arabella.”
“Ah,” Arabella said suddenly, “I should have thought of it. You must attend our ball this evening, Madeline. You may meet our headmistress and other teachers then—except for my youngest sister, Lily, who is traveling in the Mediterranean just now. But my middle sister, Roslyn, has recently returned from her wedding journey and will be there. In fact, Roslyn
La Belle Ensemble
—they will no doubt worship you.”
Her amusement stirred by the countess’s wry tone, Madeline finally allowed herself to smile in return. “I believe I can comply, Lady Danvers, since I have numerous connections in the émigré community, many ofwhom were aristocrats in their own country before the Revolution deprived them of their lands and titles.”
“All the better,” Lady Danvers replied. “Very well, then. I would like to offer you a position at our academy, Miss Ellis—one class per day to begin with. I can promise you a generous salary, although your employment would be temporary for now. Haviland will vouch for you, but since your late employer failed to supply you a character reference, I’m sure you understand that I would be wise to investigate your background more thoroughly. If you could suggest a list of your former neighbors or other acquaintances, I will write to them immediately. We will make the position permanent once I have had the chance to confirm my initial instincts about you. And of course, you will want to be certain that you enjoy teaching enough to continue.”
It was indeed wise, Madeline thought, and only fair. She would be in charge of shaping the lives of over two dozen young women, and Lady Danvers had a responsibility to ensure that their teachers were highly qualified.
Madeline was confident, however, that she would take well to teaching. After serving as a lady’s companion for so many years, she was eager for the mental stimulation and social interaction that working at the academy would provide her. And her deficiencies in pretending subservience would not be as great a drawback. Indeed, teaching should suit her best of the few genteel occupations open to her.
“Thank you, my lady,” she said sincerely. “I would very much like to accept your offer.”
“Excellent. But please, call me Arabella. If you are agreeable, I will take you to visit the academy tomorrow. Our classes on Saturdays are only for half days, sothat will be an opportune time to introduce you to your fellow teachers and pupils. I would do so this afternoon, but I am holding a ball here this evening and I need time to prepare.”
“That is entirely agreeable,” Madeline said, appreciating even more that her new employer had taken time out of her busy schedule to conduct their interview when she had a ball to plan.
“Oh, and you must stay here at Danvers Hall until we get all the details of your employment sorted out and you can find suitable lodging of your own.”
Madeline started to refuse the countess’s remarkable offer of hospitality, not wanting to impose, but Lord Haviland spoke for the first time in several minutes.
“You can count your lodging here as part of your salary, Miss Ellis,” he pointed out, as if knowing exactly what was on her mind. “And you will be doing her ladyship a favor, beginning your duties on such short notice.”
“Indeed, you will,” the countess agreed.
Not wanting to appear ungrateful, Madeline amended her reply. “You are very generous, Lady Danvers.”
“Arabella, please … and I hope I may call you Madeline.”
“Yes, of course … Arabella.”
“Ah,” Arabella said suddenly, “I should have thought of it. You must attend our ball this evening, Madeline. You may meet our headmistress and other teachers then—except for my youngest sister, Lily, who is traveling in the Mediterranean just now. But my middle sister, Roslyn, has recently returned from her wedding journey and will be there. In fact, Roslyn
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