“Do you think I need luck?”
Lily shrugged. “Everyone needs at least a little luck when speaking to Mrs. Allston. But do try to remember that she does have a kind heart. She just works hard to hide it.”
Emilia hoped she looked more confident than she felt. “I am sure it will be fine,” she said before departing from her classroom on the second level.
While she descended the stairs, Emilia started racking her brain about why Mrs. Allston could have called for this meeting. Had she done something wrong? But she already knew that answer. No. She had always done everything that was expected of her, and she did so without complaint, knowing she couldn’t risk losing her only source of income.
Emilia had worked hard, and she had managed to put aside some money, nearly three pounds. It was an inconsequential sum to some, but to her, it meant everything.
It wasn’t long before she arrived at Mrs. Allston’s office and the door was slightly ajar, revealing she was not alone. A short, white-haired man with a protruding belly was sitting in a chair that faced the desk. His cheeks were red, and he had a big nose, but he looked as if he had a pleasant enough demeanor.
It was best that she got this over with, she thought.
Emilia knocked on the door and waited for Mrs. Allston to acknowledge her. She wasn’t bold enough to enter the room without being invited to do so.
“Enter,” Mrs. Allston ordered.
Pushing open the door, she saw Mrs. Allston sitting behind her desk, the familiar look of impatience on her face. Her black hair was pulled back severely into a chignon at the base of her neck, and Emilia wondered if that was what always caused her unpleasantness.
“Good, you have finally arrived,” Mrs. Allston said with a terseness in her words. “You have a visitor.”
The man had risen when Emilia had walked into the room. He performed a bow when she turned to acknowledge him.
“Miss Hembry, I presume,” he said in a kind voice. It had been a long time since a gentleman had spoken to her with such consideration.
Remembering her manners, Emilia dropped into a curtsy. “Yes, sir.”
“Allow me to introduce myself,” the man started. “My name is Mr. Allen Rymer and I am the late Sir Charles Sutherland’s solicitor.” He paused. “Does that name mean anything to you?”
Emilia shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“That is to be expected,” Mr. Rymer said. “I am here on his behalf.”
With a glance at Mrs. Allston, Emilia responded, “I do not understand. Why would this Sir Charles have anything to do with me?”
Mr. Rymer gestured towards a chair. “If you will have a seat, I shall explain my purpose in being here.”
Emilia sat down on the proffered chair. She was curious as to why he was here, but she feared that he had made a terrible mistake. She had no affiliation with this man.
After Mr. Rymer returned to his seat, he continued. “Sir Charles died a few days ago, and he has requested that you be at the reading of his will, alongside his family.”
Her eyes grew wide at this unexpected news. “Why would Sir Charles request such a thing?” she asked. “I do not know this man.”
“That may be true, but it was his dying request,” Mr. Rymer shared.
“But, why?”
Mr. Rymer offered her an understanding look. “I cannot explain anything more than I already have, but I will expect youin London in two days’ time. The reading of the will shall be done at Sir Charles’ townhouse in Mayfair.”
Mrs. Allston spoke up. “That is quite impossible. Miss Hembry is employed as a teacher here and can’t just up and leave us shorthanded.”
“I do understand the terrible position that I am putting you in, but it is in Miss Hembry’s best interests if she comes to London,” Mr. Rymer responded.
As intrigued as Emilia was, Mrs. Allston was right. She couldn’t leave and risk losing her position at the school. Besides, even if she wanted to, she didn’t have the funds to travel to London.
Mr. Rymer must have sensed her concerns because he pressed on. “I took the liberty of securing a coach for your travels and I was instructed to give you fifty pounds for your journey.”
“Fifty pounds?” Emilia repeated back in disbelief. That was more money than she would earn for ten years of teaching. Why would he bestow upon her such an enormous sum?
