“I do believe Mrs. Anderson was rather conservative in her budget, but it shouldn’t increase too much,” Mr. Rymer said. “This is a step in the right direction. If you would like to tour the boarding school…”
Clarissa’s voice interrupted Mr. Rymer’s explanation, her disapproval evident. “You cannot be in earnest?” she asked,walking further into the room. “You aren’t truly opening a boarding school, are you?”
Emilia focused her attention on Clarissa and answered with determination. “Yes, I am. It will be in honor of my late mother.”
“But poor people attend boarding schools,” Clarissa stated. “Anyone of importance employs a governess.”
“The girls that have been selected for the boarding school can’t afford anything, much less a governess,” Emilia said. “My hope is that we can educate the girls from the rookeries so they can have a chance to find employment after they graduate.”
Clarissa looked dumbfounded. “Who would hire someone from the rookeries?” she asked.
Anette’s voice came from the doorway, breaking the tension. “I would,” she declared.
Turning to face Lady Roswell, Clarissa asked incredulously, “Why would you hire someone that is so beneath you?”
“That is simple. I believe everyone deserves a chance, no matter where they start from,” Anette replied.
“They will rob you completely and you will be left with nothing,” Clarissa stated.
Anette ventured further into the room. “At first, I was skeptical about the boarding school, but I was wrong to be so. I think it is a fine idea what Miss Sutherland is attempting to do.”
Clarissa, her hand defiantly placed on her hip, dismissed the idea with an air of disdain. “This is preposterous. My father would be furious if he knew that his money was going to a bunch of misfits.”
“Actually, it was Father’s idea,” Emilia revealed in a calm and resolute voice. “He had already started the process to open the boarding school.”
“Impossible!” Clarissa shifted her disbelieving gaze towards Mr. Rymer. “Tell them, Mr. Rymer. Tell them that my father would never finance something so uncouth.”
Mr. Rymer, maintaining his composed stance beside his chair, gently refuted Clarissa’s disbelief. “Miss Sutherland is right. Your father had entrusted me with the duty of overseeing the boarding school several months before his death.”
“I don’t believe you,” Clarissa declared. “I will not stand here and let her just waste my father’s money.”
“I’m afraid you have little choice in the matter,” Mr. Rymer said, coming to Emilia’s defense. “Miss Sutherland has the right to spend her money as she sees fit.”
Clarissa stuck up her nose haughtily in the air. “Thetonwill mock you for this, and you will never be in their good graces.”
“I understand, but I must do this,” Emilia said. “If you would like, you may tour the boarding school with us.”
“Good heavens, no!” Clarissa exclaimed.
Emilia extended the papers back to Mr. Rymer and said, “Please issue the necessary funds to Mrs. Anderson at once. Inform her that I shall visit the school tomorrow at my earliest convenience.”
Mr. Rymer tipped his head. “It shall be done, Miss.” He stuffed the papers back into his satchel. “Good day, ladies.”
Once the solicitor departed from the drawing room, Emilia asked, “Would anyone care for some tea?”
Anette bobbed her head. “I would greatly enjoy some.”
“I also had the cook send up some biscuits since I know how fond you are of those,” Emilia said.
“That is most kind of you,” Anette acknowledged as she sat in the chair that Mr. Rymer had just vacated.
Clarissa huffed. “Am I the only one that thinks the boarding school is a terrible idea?”
“Yes,” Anette promptly replied.
In a display of exasperation, Clarissa theatrically rolled her eyes before advancing closer to the group. “I just worry that Emilia hasn’t thought through the repercussions of her actions.”
“It is her choice, and we must respect that,” Anette remarked.
