Julia looked into the mirror hanging over the side table in the vestibule as she fitted the short-brimmed dark gray bonnet onto her head. “Do you know if the wind has been strong today, Mrs. Desford?”
“I don’t think there’s a stir about today, my lady,” the housekeeper informed her.
“Good. That means I can tie a loose ribbon under my chin.”
It was late enough in the day that Mr. Pratt had already left and Julia felt comfortable leaving Chatwyn with Miss Periwinkle so she could join Brina at the girls’ school. A few minutes ago, she’d received a note from Brina stating that Mrs. Tallon wanted to see them as soon as possible about a problem.
The day with the tutor had been as unpleasant as all the others. Mr. Pratt kept insisting Julia leave the room but she never would. His tone and expressions were so stern and angry, at times she feared he might strike Chatwyn.
She kept hoping she would receive a letter from the duke stating the dismissal of Mr. Pratt, or that the man would realize Chatwyn wasn’t old enough to be a student and not want to put up with another day of a little boy crying and having tantrums. No matter what the duke or Mr. Pratt said, she would never leave her son alone with him.
A knock sounded from the door and Julia tensed. For a moment she thought it might be the horrible man she was just thinking about returning. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly for a moment and took three deep breaths, but then Julia heard Mrs. Desford say, “Yes, I’ll see she gets it,” to someone, and then she immediately closed the door.
“It’s a note for you, my lady,” the housekeeper said.
Hoping it was news from Garrett, Julia’s heart raced. It had been three days since they’d met at the school, and there hadn’t been one word from him.
“Thank you.” She calmly took the note, but when she looked down at it her heart sank. The letter wasn’t from Garrett. She recognized the handwriting as the duke’s secretary’s writing. Disappointment quickly overwhelmed her other emotions. But almost as quickly, she thought perhaps the duke was sending word that he’d dismissed that vile Mr. Pratt. She broke the duke’s seal and scanned the page.
Lady Kitson,
I grow stronger each day and am assured I will feel up to traveling soon. I will continue to allow Mr. Pratt to instruct Chatwyn until I arrive in London and personally assess the man’s instruction abilities.
Duke
“No,” she whispered, as anger tightened her chest. Mr. Pratt was allowed to continue and the duke getting better. That was her greatest fear. What was she going to do? She needed more time. Mr. Urswick obviously needed more time.
“Did you receive bad news, my lady?”
Julia looked over to the housekeeper. “No, not really. I mean, good news, that the duke is recovering and says he’ll soon be strong enough to travel.” Julia just didn’t know what soon meant. Two days? Three? A week or two? “It’s just that he wants to wait to make a judgment about Mr. Pratt until he can personally assess the situation. That means the man will return tomorrow. I’ve written the duke two letters complaining about Mr. Pratt’s harshness and was hoping the duke would tell him not to return.”
“Master Chatwyn hasn’t been himself since he started lessons with Mr. Pratt.”
“No, he hasn’t. I’ll write the duke again,” she said more to herself than the housekeeper. Julia couldn’t consider her efforts futile. She had to have hope the duke would understand what he was doing to her little boy by putting him through lessons with that man.
“I’ll work on getting the duke’s rooms ready.”
“Yes, that will probably be a good idea. Would you put this on my desk?” She gave the letter back to Mrs. Desford. “I’ll answer it in the morning. I’m going to wait out by the street for Mrs. Feld.”
Julia picked up her dark blue velvet reticule, matching lightweight wool shawl, and gloves, and walked out into the chilly air. Her shoes felt as if they were filled with boulders as she made her way down the stone path to the street. The sky was a smoky shade of light gray. Julia felt as if there were a cloud enveloping her, too. She stared at the row of houses in front of her. Some had fancy iron gates at the entrance and two had stone arches, but most had only a simple wooden door.
The street was quiet. No sounds of children playing, birds chirping, or even the approach of carriage wheels in the distance. Nothing to cheer her. The duke was better, Mr. Pratt hadn’t been dismissed, and she hadn’t heard from Garrett. If he had any news he would have contacted her.
Trying to shake off the gloom of her troubles, she lifted her chin and her shoulders. There was still time before the duke arrived. How much, she didn’t know. When she got to the school she would write Garrett about the duke and ask Mrs. Tallon to see that her note was delivered to him at the Holcott-Fortney Inn. In the meantime, she had to think about what she was going to do if the duke returned before the ledger could be read and the documents copied. She didn’t know if she had it in her to bluff the duke into thinking she’d found someone to decipher the code.
Julia heard the clip-clop of horses and looked up. She recognized Brina’s carriage and was suddenly reminded of what her friend wanted to do. If Brina was strong enough to consider joining a convent, Julia was strong enough to handle the duke. She thought of the wondrous things Garrett made her feel when he looked at her, when he touched and kissed her. She didn’t want to give that up. There was a way to free herself. She just hadn’t found it yet.
It was a short drive to the school. On the way, Julia had filled Brina in on the duke’s letter concerning the tutor and finding the deeds with Garrett’s help. She also told her that she was still waiting to hear from Garrett again. Brina shared her news that she’d decided to make an appointment for them to go visit with one of the sisters at Pilwillow Crossings.
When they entered the large front room of the schoolhouse, the girls were seated at a long table with slates and chalk in front of them. They all stood up and bowed. Fanny raised her hand just a little and gave Julia a wave. Off to the side, Mrs. Tallon was standing in front of several large crates and two wooden barrels.
Julia and Brina greeted the girls, taking time to ask them a few questions about their studies and sewing work. The mistress wore a grim, perplexed expression on her face and waited until they walked over to greet her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Kitson, Mrs. Feld. Thank you for coming over right away. I don’t know what to do.”
Concerned because she didn’t see anything askance, Julia asked, “Tell us the problem and together we’ll find an answer.”
Mrs. Tallon pointed to the crates. “These are the problem. I have no idea why they were delivered to the school. I didn’t order any of this, and I don’t believe Lady Lyonwood ordered it. We talked about supplies the day before she left on her journey and decided we had enough of everything and would wait until she returned to resupply the sewing room.”
From where Julia was standing she could see that the crates had been opened and were filled with bolts of fabric, spools of threads, ribbons, and lace.
Julia looked at the innocuous items before her. “I’m not clear what the problem is. Do you think these were delivered to the wrong address?”
“They must have been. The man in charge of this delivery said he was positive he had the correct place. The Seafarer’s School for Girls. He insisted he had no idea who this came from. His only job was to bring it here. I had him take the tops off the crates before he left so I would know what they were leaving.”
“Maybe Lady Lyonwood ordered it while she’s away?” Brina offered as a way of explanation.
“I don’t think so. Look at what is inside these crates, Mrs. Feld,” Mrs. Tallon said, her brows pinching together. “These girls are still learning to make their stitches, use scissors correctly, and make their buttons tight. They aren’t ready to work on such fine fabrics as these. This—this isn’t for students. Some of these items belong in the finest modiste shops in London. Who would send this quality to a school?”
Puzzled by what the mistress was saying, Julia and Brina walked closer and looked into the opened crates.
One box was overflowing with lace, and still another contained large spools of colorful sewing and embroidery threads. Julia laid her reticule, gloves, and shawl aside and pulled open the drawstrings of one of the bags from a barrel. It was filled with high-quality white glass beads. Opening another bag, she found more expensive beads. Another contained beautiful ostrich and pheasant feathers.
Julia was stunned. “Yes, of course, you’re right, Mrs. Tallon. Some of these things aren’t appropriate for our students to work with. Are you sure he said these were to come to the school?”
“Positive. I had him show me the note he’d been given with the name of the school and the address.”
Julia’s and Brina’s gazes connected once again. Suddenly Julia had a feeling she knew where the gifts had come from, and she murmured, “Perhaps a pirate sent them over.”
Brina pursed her lips and then smiled. “That’s the same thought I had. You don’t suppose he—he?”
“No. No, of course not,” Julia said, but wasn’t convinced that Mr. Stockton hadn’t somehow absconded with someone else’s shipment and given it to the girls.
“I need to know what I’m to do with this,” Mrs. Tallon said, showing her frustration in a tight, determined expression. “I’m sure we can use much of what’s here, if not now, then later as the girls progress,” Mrs. Tallon continued. “I haven’t been through all the crates, but some of these fabrics are simply too delicate, and the girls aren’t anywhere near ready for beading and feather work.”
Julia turned to Mrs. Tallon. “We won’t worry about that right now. I have reason to believe these were delivered to the correct address. I’ll leave it to you to decide what you can use and how best to use it. Re-crate the rest and let me know when it’s ready. In the meantime, Brina and I will think of something to do with what’s left over. And please let the girls look over all the fabrics and beading. It will be good for them to know the difference in the textures of the fabrics and what needle works best with each one. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you these things so I’ll leave it all to you.”
“I’ll make it part of their lessons.”
“Now, if you don’t mind, Mrs. Tallon,” Julia said. “I’d like to use a quill and a sheet of vellum or foolscap—whatever you have nearby. I need to write a note. If you could have one of your helpers deliver it to the Holcott-Fortney Inn, I’d be most grateful.”
“Of course,” she said, seeming pleased she could do something for Julia. “I’ll see that it’s done.”
“Thank you.”
After the letter to Garrett was sealed and goodbyes were said, Julia and Brina headed toward the street where the carriage waited.
“It must have been Mr. Stockton who sent the boxes over,” Brina said as soon as they were away from the school.
“Of course he did,” Julia answered tightly. “He is the only pirate we’ve ever met. Who else would have access to such expensive cloth and beads to give away? What I want to know is where did he get it and why did he give it to the school?”
“I think that is simple enough to understand. He wanted to do something nice for the school and help the girls.”
“Does he think we can’t take care of the school we started?” Julia asked, not really knowing why she was irritated about his extravagant donation. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t been in touch for three days. Didn’t he know she was anxious to hear from him? Even if it was only to see and talk to him.
“That’s nonsense. I think we’ve proven to everyone we can take care of the girls,” Brina answered. “To me it says he’s a kind and generous man.”
They stopped in front of the open carriage door. Julia looked at the driver and said, “Don’t drive too fast. We don’t want to tire the horses.”
“Really, Julia,” Brina protested in earnest. “Can’t we go at a normal pace this time?”
“Animals need to be taken care of just like people. We wouldn’t run anywhere unless there was an emergency, and neither should the horses.”
“All right,” Brina said, her expression softening. “Since it’s only a short drive to Pilwillow Crossings from here, do you mind if we go there? Not for a visit. That hasn’t been arranged. Just to look. It’s one of the days they serve food.”
The duke would be returning any day now, and there was no sign of help from Garrett or his accountant, Mr. Urswick. Mr. Pratt was a beast, and thoughts of Garrett’s touch were never far from her mind. Yet with all that to worry about, she couldn’t deny Brina’s request.
“Yes. Let’s go,” Julia said after taking in a deep breath. “We have the rest of the afternoon. We might as well put it to use.”
After they boarded the coach and the ride was underway, Brina said, “I’m assuming the note you wrote was to thank Mr. Stockton on behalf of the school.”
Julia turned to look out the window as the carriage rolled along.
That thought hadn’t even entered Julia’s mind. She had told him only that the duke was better and hoped to travel to London soon. Perhaps he’d be on his way by the end of the week. She then asked if there had been any progress made on the code.
“You can’t ignore me when I’m sitting right across from you,” Brina said, breaking into her bleak thoughts.
“What? No, I’m not trying to ignore you. It’s just—”
“If you’ve decided you aren’t attracted to Mr. Stockton, tell me, and I’ll leave you alone about him and never mention him again. It’s just—the way you two looked at each other when you were standing together at Lady Hallbury’s party had me feeling you belonged together.”
“Brina,” Julia whispered softly.
“It’s true. You were so engrossed with each other it was as if you didn’t know there was anyone else in the room.”
That’s how she’d felt. “I’ve already admitted that something stirs inside me whenever I look at him. Feelings I’ve never felt before shudder through me. Magnificent sensations I’d like to pursue more deeply, but you know I can’t. Not until I put an end to the prison I am living in.”
“What can I do to help you? I keep asking and you don’t let me help you in any way.”
“But you are. By doing exactly what you are doing now. Giving me something to think about other than myself and my problems. I know what you decide to do about your future is as important as what happens to mine.”
“Yes. I suppose it’s as if we are both caught in our own separate whirlpools and we’re simply swirling in circles and making no progress of going forward.”
“That is exactly how I feel, Brina.”
The carriage rumbled to a stop and let them out at the corner two streets over from the abbey. After telling the driver to wait for them, Julia and Brina walked to where a large, three-story building stood among much smaller dwellings on each side of it. In front of the abbey was a long line of poorly clothed men, women, and children. Orderly and in single file, they passed by a table where a sister dipped into a large pot and filled the bowls and cups they held out. Each one nodded their thanks and moved on to where another sister handed them a piece of bread.
Off to the side at another table stood two sisters handing out rolled bandages and what Julia assumed were little bags of herbs or tea. The longer she watched, the heavier her chest felt. The trail of people was somber as they walked away.
“Look at the little girl with long blond hair,” Brina said softly. “And the little boy who’s not wearing shoes. It’s going to get cold soon. I hope he has some at home. And there’s a woman carrying a baby.”
Julia saw everything that Brina saw. “Like you, Brina, I’m overcome with compassion for these people and for the sisters and the selfless work they’re doing.”
“It made me feel wonderful when I saw this for the first time. To know there are such good-hearted, strong women who do kind things like this for people they don’t know. They rise in the mornings and say, ‘How many people can I help today?’ I rise in the mornings and say, ‘What dress should I wear to visit with Julia?’”
“I take nothing from these selfless-hearted women who are so generous to give up their lives to do this for other people, but you don’t give yourself enough credit for how good you are to others already. Remember you helped start the school.”
“I know what my life is, Julia. I live it.”
“Yes, of course you do, but I believe it takes a person with a different kind of strength to do this kind of compassionate work.”
“Is it that you don’t think I have that special kind of strength or heart? Or that I can’t learn how to make bread or roll a bandage?”
Tears pooled in Brina’s eyes.
“Certainly not. You are the kindest person I know. You are more than capable of doing whatever you wish. It’s just that I think some people help best with actually doing the work of caring for others, as we have Mrs. Tallon and her helpers at the school to teach the girls. Other people are better at helping to fund projects, as we do for the school. It takes both to make a charitable house work.”
“I believe I have the heart and the strength to do the kind of work these women do.”
“Good.” Julia touched Brina’s gloved hand with affection. “You are very brave to even consider this. That makes you stronger than most of us, because I know I am not suited. You must make sure this is what you want to do for the rest of your life. I don’t think there would ever be any going back.”
Brina turned back toward the sisters. “I know. And that is a worry. I’m waiting to talk to Sister Francine. I’ll know more after I talk to her.”
They turned and started walking back to the carriage. “I just had a thought,” Julia said, feeling inspired. “Why don’t we donate the leftover fabrics, beads, and feathers to the convent? They can sell the supplies and use the money for more food, herbs, cloth for bandages, or for whatever they need.”
Brina’s eyes brightened. “That’s an excellent idea. I’m sure they would love to have a donation like that. We can talk to Sister Francine about it when we visit. But—” Brina paused and looked at Julia curiously.
“But what?”
“We should make absolutely sure it came from Mr. Stockton before we start giving it away.”
Julia’s heartbeat raced at the thought of seeing him again.