The older woman smiled kindly, but Elizabeth’s cheeks were burning in discomfort. She hoped these unknown persons would not think her utterly savage.
“If Lady Burnham agrees, we can commence our lessons next week,” Andrew said, and Lady Burnham nodded.
“Before I forget,” Nicholas turned to Lady Burnham, “if you know of a dependable music teacher and dance master, please write to them on my behalf?”
Lady Burnham nodded. “I shall let you know.”
After they’d all had their tea and exchanged a few more pleasantries, her guests rose to leave, but not before repeating to her when their first lesson would take place. Elizabeth had no idea what to expect.
*
A week later, they all found themselves in the same parlour again,sansNicholas this time.
“Cousin Elizabeth,” Andrew teased, “don’t look so worried.”
Elizabeth ran her tongue over her teeth.
“I must admit Iamslightly worried.”
“What about?”
“What you both shall think of me when you discover what an unfit pupil I am.”
Andrew laughed, and Lady Burnham smiled.
“Worry not, I’m sure we’ve both seen worse,” he reassured her. “This first lesson is merely for us to determine what we need to work on, and to get to know each other. What can you tell me about the instruction you’ve received so far?”
“My mother taught me to read and write and to do my sums,” Elizabeth said in a wobbly voice. “She tried teaching me some music and some French, but I proved to be a very obstinate child.”
“Most children are,” Lady Burnham said with a smile.
“My older brothers locked their tutor in the study once.” Andrew grinned, and Elizabeth felt herself relax.
“I’ve taught the children in my old neighbourhood their letters, and I enjoyed it greatly,” she found herself admitting. “No one’s ever locked me in.”
They all laughed.
“What about mathematics?” her cousin asked.
“I think I’m fairly good. I dealt with our household ledgers after my father died.”
Her two guests exchanged a look she couldn’t decipher.
“Let’s have a look then, shall we?” Andrew said in a gentle voice.
For the next hour, he dictated passages from a book in order to assess her spelling and penmanship, gave her sums to do, and had her read out loud from a book Lady Burnham had brought with her,Debrett’s.
“Very well,” he told her when the hour was up. “Things aren’t as glum as you’d feared. French will probably be our biggest obstacle, but fear not, I’ve a lot of experience teaching even the most challenging students.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth exhaled in relief.
“I shall leave you to your etiquette lesson now,” he said, standing up. “Good luck, ladies.”
He smiled at them both and, with a bow, left.
Elizabeth relaxed in her seat now that the young man was gone.
Lady Burnham raised her eyebrows at her and said, “A lady maintains an erect posture when standingandsitting. Unless you’re ill or an invalid, do not slouch.”
