“I will ensure you have a headstone, Miss,” Mr. Rymer stated. “Anything else?”
“Not at this time, but I am sure I will think of something soon enough,” Emilia said. “But I do have a question.”
Mr. Rymer lowered the paper to his lap. “What would you like to know?”
“I saw documents for a boarding school in my father’s desk. Did he intend to open this school for underprivileged girls?”
“Yes, that is right,” Mr. Rymer said. “We already secured the building and were in the process of hiring the staff when Sir Charles grew ill.”
“Would it be possible to proceed with the boarding school?”
Mr. Rymer gave her an approving look. “Yes, and I think your father would be proud of you for doing so,” he said. “We already hired a headmistress but we still need a few more teachers. It is rather difficult to find women that are willing to work in the rookeries.”
Lily’s voice came from the doorway. “I’ll do it,” she volunteered. “I can work there during the day and as your lady’s maid in the evening.”
Emilia turned her attention towards Lily. “That is a lot of work for you,” she said. “Are you sure?”
“Being a teacher is familiar and it is not as if you aren’t paying me enough,” Lily replied. “I would be happy to do it.”
Mr. Rymer turned towards Lily. “I must assume that you are Miss Lily.”
“I am,” Lily confirmed.
“Well, if you are going to teach, it is only fair that I do so as well,” Emilia said. “At least until we can hire enough staff.”
Mr. Rymer frowned. “Are you sure you wish to do that? I only ask because thetonis not kind to people that work for an income.”
“I won’t be working. I will be volunteering,” Emilia said.
“I’m not sure if thetonwould distinguish that,” Mr. Rymer remarked.
Emilia squared her shoulders. “I would like to open this boarding school as quickly as possible, and if it means that I must work as a teacher for that to happen, then so be it.”
“I understand, Miss,” Mr. Rymer said. “I will continue with the preparations. On a good note, we already have a list of girls that have been accepted. Your father handpicked them for the school.”
“I am pleased to hear that.”
“As for the name of the school…” Mr. Rymer paused. “Do you wish to keep the name?”
Emilia smiled. “I think it was a lovely tribute to my mother and she would have loved to see the school come to fruition.”
“Out of all the decisions your father was forced to make for the boarding school, naming it was the easiest for him,” Mr. Rymer shared.
Emilia found such comfort in those simple words. It confirmed to her that her father truly did care for her mother, in his own way.
Mr. Rymer stuffed the paper back into his satchel. “Will there be anything else?”
“I don’t believe so, but I would like the boarding school to open as soon as it is feasible,” Emilia said.
“It shouldn’t be too difficult to open it in a few months from now.”
“Why so long?”
“These things do take time, but I will see what I can do to speed things along,” Mr. Rymer said, rising. “I will speak to Mrs. Anderson, who will act as the headmistress.”
Lily spoke up. “Is Mrs. Anderson kind?”
“She seems like a pleasant enough woman,” Mr. Rymer replied. “I have yet to hear a cross word from her.”
