Page 96 of When She Was a Governess
“This school bears the Duke of Ashford’s name as a way to honor him. He loved children. Not only his own, but all children. He gave much of his time and money to help children in need but when he died, his work died with him.” Henry gestured to the building behind him. “Your children will learn to read here. To write. To do sums and study history and geography. They’ll have books to borrow and take home. Because, in the words of the late Lord Ashford, every child deserves an education, regardless of their family’s circumstances.”
A cheer rose from the crowd. Several mothers were wiping their eyes.
“And now, I will ask my wife to open its doors for the first time,” Henry said.
The crowd erupted in applause. Henry stepped down from the platform and came to Sophia, taking her hand. Together, they walked to the school’s front door. He handed Sophia an oversized brass key.
“Would you do the honors, my lady?”
Sophia fitted the key into the lock. She sensed her father’s presence, as if he were standing beside her, watching with pride. She turned the key. The lock clicked. She pushed the door open and turned back to the crowd.
“The Duke of Ashford Memorial School is officially open,” Sophia said, voice breaking.
The crowd cheered. Children rushed forward, eager to see inside. Their parents followed more slowly, awed by the beautiful classrooms, the rows of desks, the library with its hundreds of books.
Sophia stood in the doorway, watching families explore the building. A little girl, maybe seven years old, with tangled blonde hair and bare feet, stood in the library with her mouth open, staring at the shelves.
“Are all these books for us?” she asked her mother.
“Yes, love. You can read any of them you like.”
“But I don’t know how to read.”
“That’s what Miss Clarke will teach you.” The mother smiled through tears. “You’re going to learn to read and write and do sums. The first in our family to do so.”
Sophia felt Henry’s arm come around her waist.
“That’s why we did this,” he said. “To give her a chance for a different life.”
She nodded, too overcome with emotion to speak.
They stayed for hours, greeting families, showing children the classrooms, introducing everyone to Miss Clarke, the young teacher they’d hired from London, highly educated and deeply committed to teaching village children. By the time they finally returned to the manor for the celebration, Sophia said her face hurt from smiling.
“What a wonderful day you gave me,” Sophia said to her husband. “I shall remember it always.”
“As will I,” Henry said. “Especially you.”
*
They had invitedthe entire village to the party at Montrose Manor. The formal dining room had been opened, but so had the servants’ hall, the kitchens, even the gardens. Villagers mingled with gentry, farmers drank ale alongside baronets, children chased each other across the lawn while their mothers sampled Mrs. Mills’s elaborate cakes.
Sophia turned to see Charlotte approaching. She looked different. Always elegant and beautiful but something else.
She took Sophia’s hand. “I need to tell you my news. Something wonderful.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going to have a baby.” Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears. “After all these years. After I’d given up hope. The doctor confirmed it last week.”
“Charlotte, that’s the most wonderful confirmation of all.” Sophia pulled her into a hug.
“I can hardly believe it. Thomas and I have been married five years. I thought it would never happen. That something was wrong with me.”
“But there was not. It seems the timing was not right until now. I’m delighted for you. And for me. I’ll get to be…what will I be exactly? An aunt?”
“An aunt sounds just right. And we can raise the children all together, like Henry and Thomas and I were.” Charlotte wiped her eyes, laughing. “Wreaking havoc wherever we went.”
“Amelia will be the leader, I’m sure,” Sophia said, laughing.
