“They are books that thetongenerally frowns upon women reading,” Lord Grenton said. “Did your father know you were reading those books?”
“My father wasn’t as attentive in his final years,” she admitted. “His health declined until he withered away.”
Lord Grenton’s eyes held compassion. “It is a sad thing to watch someone we love suffer, knowing there is nothing we can do about it.”
“I would agree, my lord,” she replied, “but to answer your question, my father did not take issue with my reading any book on that list. He thought it was important for a young woman to be well-read.”
“Your father was quite progressive.”
“He was,” Georgie agreed. “He told me to never hide my intellectual prowess from anyone, including the gentlemen who showed interest in me.”
“Wasn’t he afraid you would end up a spinster?”
Georgie arched an eyebrow. “You speak of spinsterhood as if it was an incurable disease. Some women prefer it to being controlled by a husband.”
“I did not mean to insult you.”
“You did no such thing,” Georgie replied. “I have experienced what it feels like to have no say in one’s life, and I refuse to go back to that existence.”
Lord Grenton had a curious expression on his face. “You are a walking contradiction,” he said. “You talk about your loving father, and in the next breath, you speak of being controlled. Which is it?”
Georgie felt her back become rigid. “I spoke out of turn, and would prefer if we spoke of something else.”
Lord Grenton looked as if he had more to say, but thankfully he let the matter drop. “If you will excuse me, I have work that I need to tend to.”
Georgie rose. “Thank you for allowing me to teach these girls how to read.”
“You must first find the funds to do so,” Lord Grenton said, walking to the door. “That was the deal.”
“I am aware.”
Lord Grenton held her gaze for a moment before he departed from the room.
Georgie lowered herself back onto the chair. How was she going to find the funds to hire tutors for the girls? The budget seemed fair, and she wasn’t familiar enough with the orphanage to know what they could do without.
She hated to admit that Lord Grenton could have been right. Somehow she needed to come up with the funds to hire tutors. If she accomplished that feat, then Lord Grenton would allow the girls to learn how to read. But she suspected that he believed he’d sent her on a fool’s errand.
As she adjusted the black sleeve on her dress, she realized that she had the perfect solution to her problem. It had been in front of her all along.
Alice stepped into the room and asked, “How did your meeting with Lord Grenton go?”
“Splendid,” Georgie said, rising. “How many of my gowns did you pack?”
“Quite a few since I wasn’t sure how long it would be before you were able to acquire new ones.” Alice paused. “Why do you ask?”
“I want to sell them.”
“Why would you wish to do that?”
Georgie came around the desk. “These gowns were made by the finest dressmaker in London, and I believe they would fetch a hefty price.”
“That may be true, but what will you wear?”
“I am in mourning, so I only require a few gowns to sustain me,” Georgie replied. “Everything else we can take to the market and sell.”
“Why would you part with your gowns?”
“Because Lord Grenton said I could hire tutors to teach the girls how to read, assuming I found the funds to do so,” Georgie explained.
