Page 34 of Gone With the Rogue
Julia had wanted to move into the house when Adeline married. The duke had told her he’d be happy for her to do so. But she wouldn’t be taking her son. Chatwyn was staying with him and would be raised as the grandson of a duke should be. Therefore, Julia had resigned herself to living with the duke. She couldn’t live in the house at the school, but it would be the perfect place to meet with Garrett.
Julia leaned against the trellis and thought back to the day she’d met Adeline and renewed her acquaintance with Brina. It wasn’t an ideal setting for anyone to meet—the designated place to collect your husband’s last possessions. Items that had slowly washed ashore from the ill-fated ship that took their husbands’ lives. None of the widows were there because they wanted to be but because it would have seemed callous of them if they hadn’t respected the efforts of the ones who’d found and collected the articles to return to the appropriate families.
That was the day the idea of starting a charitable boarding school for the daughters and sisters of the workers on the ship was born. Polite Society and the ton would take care of their own, but who would take care of the families of the men who perished with the ship? Julia, Adeline, and Brina decided they would.
At first the task to educate and teach the girls a trade seemed impossible. It hadn’t been easy to find the right property, nor to convince the girls’ relatives to allow them to leave their homes and live at the school. Boarding schools for boys were common but not so for girls. Some families had to get used to the idea. But after more than a year, all the girls had adjusted and were doing well in their lessons and in their sewing. Julia, Brina, and Adeline had reason to be pleased.
“What are you looking at, Lady Kitson?”
The sound of a girl’s voice startled Julia. She turned to see Fanny standing behind her. The red-haired girl had her hands behind her back and was staring at Julia. It shouldn’t have surprised her to see the freckle-faced miss. She was known for slipping out of the schoolhouse but thankfully she’d never been caught wandering off the property. At eleven years of age, she seemed to value independence. Perhaps she was much like Chatwyn and simply didn’t want to obey the rules. Or it could be that Fanny was more like her and wanted to be by herself without anyone’s watchful eyes.
“Good afternoon, Fanny,” Julia said. “How arethings at the school today? Have there been any problems?”
The girl curtseyed and smiled. “Not from me, my lady. I’m through being bad. I’ve been a good girl just like Mum wants me to be.”
Julia smiled. “That’s good to hear. Is everyone happy?”
“I am. Nora doesn’t cry anymore so I guess she’s happy, too.”
“I’m glad. So tell me, does Mrs. Tallon know you’re out here?”
She nodded and the long curls on her shoulders bounced. “I saw you standing under the trellis from the window. I told Mrs. Tallon and she thought you might be on your way over to the school. I said I could come ask you.”
“That was nice of you but no. I won’t be going to the schoolhouse today.”
“I’ll tell her. Mrs. Tallon thinks I’m very intelligent. But don’t tell her I told you. She doesn’t know I heard her speaking to Miss Hinson. She wouldn’t like it if she knew I was listening to her conversations.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that.” Julia started to tell her that no one would appreciate anyone eavesdropping on their conversation but decided she didn’t have the heart to reprimand her. She’d let Mrs. Tallon do that.
“That’s a very pretty dress you are wearing, my lady.”
Julia looked down at her skirt. There were no flounces, or gathers on it. No ribbons, lace, or bows. The blue was so deep it was almost black. She wondered how anyone could think it pretty. She wastwenty-five years old and dressed as if she were a much older woman.
“Thank you, Fanny,” she said.
“If I had made it for you I would have sewn some ruffles on it and made you some satin bows for the skirt.”
“I know you will make beautiful dresses and gowns when you are finished with your education.”
“Yes, my lady. I don’t have any trim on my dress either and it looks just like all the other girls’ dresses. When I get older and start making my own clothing I’m going to have all the bows and ruffles I want.”
Julia laughed. “I’m sure you will. Now, you best get back to the school. Tell Mrs. Tallon I’ll let her know when I’ll be stopping over.”
“All right,” Fanny said cheerfully. “I’m glad I saw you today.” She then turned and skipped back toward the school.
Julia headed back to the garden. Talking to Fanny had made Julia relax. Mrs. Tallon said the girls had adjusted and were doing well, but it was heartening to hear the same report from one of the girls.
A hinge creaked. She looked around and saw Garrett standing in front of the back gate. All the wondrous things he made her feel came rushing back—every touch, every kiss, and every sigh of pleasure they made. She wanted to run and throw herself into his arms. She wanted to hold him tightly and kiss him madly. Instead, she kept her composure and said, “I’ve been anxious for you to arrive.”
He smiled as he took off his hat and laid it on the gatepost. He started walking toward her. “I’ve wanted to see you, too.”
“Let’s sit on the bench that’s against the back wall of the house.” She pointed to the seat. “It’s more sheltered there, and it will be difficult for anyone from neighboring houses to see us.”
As soon as they’d settled themselves on the bench, she moistened her lips and asked what was most on her mind. “Did you find someone who can read the code?”
He smiled. “First tell me about Chatwyn. How is he doing today?”
“Frightened. Even when I told him Miss Periwinkle could take him to the park he wanted to cling to me and not let go. I know he doesn’t want Mr. Pratt to return.”
