Amelia wore a drab brown dress, totally devoid of embellishment. She donned a pair of hard-soled, sensible shoes she’d scrubbed with dirt from the garden to remove their shine. Giles accompanied her, but he wore his own clothing rather than his servant’s livery. The people she planned to visit tonight loved their children and most were appreciative of her efforts, but they had a distrust of the nobility and the wealthy. So she did her best to downplay her social position and blend in with theirs.
With Giles carrying her heavy satchel, Amelia slipped out a side door of Sudbury House and hurried to the street. Before proceeding further, she donned an old, mismatched scarf to hide her features in case any of her brother’s neighbors happened along. As a further precaution, she abandoned the straight-backed posture she’d perfected in finishing school and hunched forward as she walked.
When they reached Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Giles stepped ahead of her to open the heavy wooden doors. Amelia nodded her thanks as she went inside. She continued on to a smaller chapel reserved for her use.
A dozen eager youngsters greeted her as she entered. “Evenin’, Miss Partridge,” they chorused. She’d instructed them to use her family name rather than address her as Lady Amelia to gain the trust of their families.
“Good evening, children. Are you ready to learn more letters tonight?”
An eager affirmative filled the room.
Amelia reached in her bag for her supplies — a handful of chalk, some slates, and an old wooden paddle with the letters of the alphabet and a prayer etched on it. Edward had teased her about keeping her old horn book, but it had proved handy for teaching the letters.
The children sat quietly as she prepared for their lesson. They’d learned if they behaved themselves, they would be rewarded. Amelia noticed a few adults sitting quietly on the outside of the room. It seemed the parents were as eager to learn as much as the children, maybe even more.
She cleared her throat so that her voice would project without seeming to shout. “All right, children. Let’s review the letters we learned last time.”
For the next hour, Amelia took her students through a drill of learning their letters and then had them read combinations of those letters. Then she distributed slates and chalk so the children could practice forming those letters. Beginning with the eldest, she worked with each child, patiently guiding their fingers around the chalk so they could write their first words: cat, bat, and hat.
As she worked with the children, guiding their hands, encouraging them, reveling in their warmth, she wondered what her life would be like if she had accepted one of her offers of marriage and started a family of her own. She might now be sitting with her own children, guiding them through their lessons.
When the last child had written the letters to her satisfaction, Amelia pulled a pile of napkins from her satchel and then a bulky packet that gave off the delicious aroma of cinnamon and oranges. Last of all, she removed a well-worn book.
“Children, I brought along a book of my favorite stories to share. Would you like me to read one of them while you’re eating your treat?”
The children, busy munching their treats, nodded in assent.
“Well then, remember what we learned about eating politely.”
Napkins were distributed and placed carefully over the children’s laps before she untied the bundle and handed each child a scone, waiting for and accepting polite thanks before going to the next child. She mentally cringed as the scones were immediately stuffed into their mouths and gobbled but schooled her features to maintain a pleasant smile. Manners could be taught a little at a time — right now it was enough that she was staving off the children’s hunger.
Extra scones were offered to — and eagerly accepted by — the adults present. If word spread that she distributed food along with the lessons, there was certain to be more hungry people attending next time. Amelia made a note to tell Cook she needed twice as many scones for her next lesson.
~~~~
Phillip watched from a spot just outside the archway into the chapel. He’d been on his way home after visiting his sister when he’d seen two dark figures leaving Sudbury House. Despite her disguise, he’d recognized Amelia when she’d paused to don her scarf. He’d wondered where she was going dressed in such a manner and couldn’t stop himself from following.
His curiosity had increased when she’d slipped into a side door of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Why ever would she dress so plainly for a visit to the church? Was she meeting someone?
Amelia had indeed been meeting someone. Nearly a dozen little someones. Now he watched, entranced, as Amelia led the students through their lesson.
He started when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he saw Robert had brought him a chair. He nodded gratefully and sat in the dim hallway where he could continue his observation. Lady Amelia was a wonderful teacher. She kept her students engaged, encouraging them with a gentle smile or a pat on the shoulder. So unlike the stern taskmasters who had come to Bartlett Manor to teach him. His knuckles still smarted from the many raps he’d received when his letters hadn’t been formed properly.
She ended her lesson by reading aloud to the students while they ate treats she provided. There had been extras, enough for the hungry adults who observed from the back of the room. She’s made friends for life. Feeding their bodies as well as their minds.
What a remarkable woman. While other women of the ton were primarily concerned with their looks, wardrobe, or the latest gossip, Lady Amelia had a cause, a purpose. She was as unique as she was lovely. How proud he would be to have such a delightful creature standing by his side. But his disfigurement would preclude that from happening. Even a kind-hearted woman like her would be repelled at the thought of him as a mate.
Phillip stood and beckoned for his valet. He waited while Robert returned the chair to where he had gotten it then stepped toward the door. Robert stopped him with a light touch on his sleeve, nodding to a point behind him. Turning, he saw Amelia walking toward them.
“Good evening, Your Grace. I trust our lesson didn’t interfere with your evening prayers?” she asked as students and parents made their way past them.
“On the contrary, Lady Amelia. Observing your lesson was the highlight of my evening. You have some eager young pupils. How did you come to teach them?”
“I happened to be here when one of the priests was conducting a lesson. He was using ancient materials, text children didn’t understand. And he was horrid to them — smacking their little hands when they didn’t form their letters correctly. I was appalled and was ready to go to the Cathedral Council but decided to speak to the instructor himself. The poor man was in over his head. He was a Latin scholar and had no idea what to do with small children who couldn’t even name their letters. I volunteered to help and started teaching them the next day.”
“How fortunate for them.”
“Thank you. I do what I can,” she responded, a becoming blush staining her cheeks. “It’s not much, and we need more books and materials. And it would be wonderful if we had a place to meet that wasn’t quite so dark. But for now, the children are at least learning to read. I believe a little education will give them an opportunity for better jobs.”
“I would be happy to assist you.”
Her eyes opened wide. To be honest, his offer had surprised him as much as it had her, but the smile lighting her face made him glad he’d voiced it.
“That would be wonderful, Your Grace. I’m sure the boys would welcome a man such as you. So many of them don’t have a father figure in their lives, you know.”
“Er — I meant I’d be happy to sponsor your teaching. I have a great many books in my personal library, and it would be a privilege to supply the writing supplies.”
“Oh! Thank you for that, Your Grace.” She bowed her head and turned to gather her materials.
As she packed her bag, Phillip couldn’t stop the feeling that he would soon be helping her with more than just the supplies.