Page 41 of The Earl Next Door
“It looks black to me, my lady, but I suspect I best leave the decision to you, and tell you that Mrs. Tallon sent Miss Peat over with a message for you. Asking if it might be possible for you to come over to the school for a minute or two.”
“Now?”
Mrs. Lawton nodded. “She mentioned that the girls wanted to give you a proper thank-you.”
“I don’t mind going to the school, but heavens, they should know a personal thank-you isn’t necessary. Besides, they’ve already been here almost a month. If anything, I should thankthemand their families again for having made the sacrifice to come here.”
Doing this for the girls was really the only thing she’d ever done in life that was of any consequence and she was grateful they’d given her the chance to do something so worthy. It made her feel useful. Happy. She needed no thanks.
“They’re learning to sew, aren’t they?” Mrs. Lawton asked. “Maybe they made a handkerchief for you. Or now that they are learning to write, they could have written something for you. Best you go there rather than all of them come over here.”
The worried look on Mrs. Lawton’s face made Adeline chuckle. “You’re right, I’ll go.”
She looked back at the gowns. The amber it would be. She removed the white-and-beige gloves, the long strand of pearls, and the large teardrop amethyst that hung on a gold chain. She would go with the dark brown gloves, the choker of amber beads and matching dangling earrings, and combs for her hair.
“Prepare these for the first ball. I’ll choose the things for the other dresses when I return, but at least I’m set for one evening. Thank you for helping me make up my mind, Mrs. Lawton.”
The sky was blue and the day not so cold so Adeline didn’t bother with bonnet, cape, or gloves. Once she was down her back steps, it was hardly more than fifty or sixty steps to the front door of the school. A spirited walk would do her good. Her gray woolen dress should be sufficient enough for a quick, though completely unnecessary, thank-you from the girls. However, it would be lovely to see them close up again, and to look at their shining eyes and rosy cheeks.
The short brisk walk added to the invigorating disposition Adeline had felt all day. It was simply amazing what a few minutes of passion could do for one’s temperament. Nothing seemed as bleak and dour as it once had. And she owed it all to Lyon. The usually ornery earl had turned into a blessing in disguise. Nowshe was looking forward to the first ball of the Season when before she’d dreaded it.
Within a minute or two, Adeline opened the door of the school and walked inside. An eruption of noise exploded, startling her. In the far corner Miss Hinson was seated at a grand-looking rosewood pianoforte, playing a lively tune. The girls were gathered nearby smiling from ear to ear and clapping and squealing. Mrs. Tallon and Miss Peat stood behind Miss Hinson with even bigger smiles. The usually serious teachers were clapping, too!
Everyone curtsied and yelled out, “Thank you, Lady Wake!” The students then started jumping and cheering loudly as only kids could do.
All Adeline could think was who in the world had something as large as the pianoforte delivered to the wrong address?She hadn’t bought that glorious-sounding, beautifully carved instrument for them and neither had Julia or Brina. Whoever had was going to come looking for it and take it back! What was she going to do? The girls were so excited and happy.
“I can play it, too,” Mrs. Tallon was saying when the girls quieted down and Miss Hinson switched to a softer, more subdued score. “Though not as well as Miss Hinson.”
“I’ve never heard one before,” Fanny said, stepping closer to the pianoforte and running her hand along the side of the wood. “How does it make that beautiful sound?”
“You never mind about that,” Mrs. Tallon said, reaching over and gently taking hold of the little girl’s wrist with her thumb and forefinger and removing herhand. “And don’t you be touching it, either. Not any of you,” she added looking at the other girls.
Adeline could understand Fanny’s natural curiosity about the pianoforte. When played correctly it could be as soothing as warm water washing over your shoulders and back. It was sobering and heartbreaking to realize that most of the girls had probably never heard music other than the voices of their mothers or fathers humming or singing.
But her heart ached. What was she going to do? She wouldn’t let the pianoforte be taken away now that the girls had been exposed to it.
“Not that either of us will try to teach any of the girls how to play, of course,” Mrs. Tallon continued with her conversation. “They are here to learn more beneficial things, but it will be such a wonderful luxury for all of us when we have our singing lessons in the mornings and in the evenings while everyone is getting settled for bed. We are grateful for such a generous gift to the school, Lady Wake.”
Adeline swallowed hard. She would have gladly already purchased one if it had once crossed her mind the girls might enjoy hearing melodic music. She had been so focused on what they needed to learn, the skills they needed to find work that she hadn’t given enough thought to what they needed to enjoy in the present. Mrs. Tallon was right. Playing an instrument wouldn’t earn them a wage like sewing a fine stitch, cutting a straight pattern, or making fancy bows from silk and satin, but she could see it was going to add great enjoyment to their lives at the boarding school.
But Adeline had work to do.
There couldn’t be many businesses in London that sold pianofortes. She’d have to find out which ones did and discover who had made this mistake. It was doubtful, but she would be hopeful the school could keep this one and the company have another just like it delivered to the rightful owner. If not, she’d have to come up with a good reason why the pianoforte was switched out for a different one. But she couldn’t stand the thought of the girls watching that pianoforte being carried from the school.
“I’m glad everyone is so pleased,” Adeline said and then smiled. “It’s important to have something lovely to look forward to each day. But now, I must bid you good day.”
Adeline started to make a hasty retreat but noticed several of the girls still staring at the rosewood with awe. It was indeed a rare refinement for a charitable school. She turned to Mrs. Tallon and added, “Why don’t you let the girls line up and take turns coming by one at a time to touch the pianoforte? Let them press the keys if they want to. Their small hands won’t harm it.”
The headmistress gave her usual frown when she didn’t like what Adeline said. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, my lady. It might encourage them to touch it at other times.”
“Maybe. I think it’s more likely that it would satisfy their curiosity about it and keep them from wanting to look it over when you aren’t nearby. Better they do it now when you can control them.” Refusing to take no for an answer, she added, “Don’t be stingy with their time. Give each of them plenty to give it a once-over.”
“Of course, if that is what you want.”
“It is,” she said, feeling delighted the girls had this opportunity.
Adeline said goodbye to everyone and walked out. There was no time to waste in getting to Town and finding out where the beautiful piece came from. At any moment it could be snatched away from the girls, leaving them heartbroken and wondering what was going on, and that would make Adeline feel absolutely wretched. Hurrying under the trellis, her gaze strayed to the back grounds of the earl’s house. She saw he was standing near the low garden wall between their properties, looking at the school. She stopped and then he noticed her, too. He quickly backed out of sight as if he hoped she hadn’t seen him.
