She paused, giving him a chance to disagree. To announce he’d changed his mind about never marrying and he wanted to court her. Or at least assure her that some worthy gentleman would come up to scratch.
He made no such protest or proclamation.
“Therefore I have persuaded Uncle Edward to allow me to invest the money he set aside for my dowry into opening a school. Isn’t that marvelous?”
The footman returned with Ravencroft’s tea. He took a long drink, then another. As though he were stalling.
She searched his expression, unable to identify any single emotion as a series of them seemed to flit across his face in rapid succession. Did he think her idea absurd?
“That’s fabulous, honey,” he finally said. “Where will it be?”
She exhaled, a mix of relief and disappointment. “Uncle’s solicitor is meeting with us tomorrow. Among other things, he should have recommendations of agents to help me find the best location for the school. Location is very important.”
“Your uncle is bringing in his solicitor? He’s quite serious about this project.”
“We have a great deal to do and not much time before he sails for Jamaica.”
She would have liked to continue conversing with him, if for no other reason than for the physical pleasure of his deep voice washing over her like a warm bath, as it always did. Discuss the Switch Song, or plans for the school, or anything, really. Just to keep spending time with him. But another gentleman approached him, soliciting his opinion on a matter that was soon due for a vote in the House of Lords, and Miss Kenyon wanted to introduce Ashley to another friend.
Giving each other a rueful shrug, they departed in separate directions.
* * *
“This wasn’t expressly on the list of your requests.” Reginald Chadburn, Esquire, slid a portfolio across Uncle Edward’s desk the next afternoon, halfway between Ashley and her uncle. “But I took the liberty of collecting other information I thought you might find useful.” A stout man in his fifties, he sat back in his chair and pulled several more portfolios out of his leather satchel. “I have information on three properties so far that would be suitable for converting into a school.” He indicated the folios in his hand. “While I was researching real estate information for another client, I happened across two schools where the owners are planning to retire and quietly wish to sell.” He indicated the folio on the desk.
Ashley and her uncle exchanged surprised glances.
“Your name as an investor in this enterprise, Mr. Endicott, will help attract some families who are abolitionists such as yourself. However, Miss Hamlin, you should know your uncle’s views will also prove a detraction to some prospective clients who do not share his beliefs.”
“I’m not sure I’d want to attract those sorts of clients.” Ashley tapped her bottom lip. “However, there could be the opportunity to allow the girls to form their own opinions if they are exposed to views different from that of their parents.”
“Quite so.” Uncle Edward opened the folio and turned it so Ashley could read the papers at the same time.
“You face many challenges in your endeavor, Miss Hamlin, as I’m sure you’re already aware. It is a conundrum of our society that your relatively advanced age made it difficult for you to secure a suitable match in the Marriage Mart, while your relative youth may cause some to question if you are mature enough to head up a school for young ladies.”
Ashley barely resisted the urge to swear. “Yes, I am painfully aware of society’s contradictions.”
“Assuming ownership of a school that is already established would greatly simplify things compared to starting from the ground up, as it were,” Mr. Chadburn continued. “I am, however, employed at your leisure. I will pursue whichever path you wish in order to procure information so you may select a suitable property.”
Ashley was gratified that Mr. Chadburn included her in the last statement, given that Uncle Edward paid his fees, not her. “I honestly hadn’t considered taking over an existing school would even be a possibility,” she said. “I just want to follow the same path as Madame Zavrina.”
“Ah, yes, Miss Penelope Smythe.” Mr. Chadburn shuffled through the papers in a folio and pulled out one sheet.
At Ashley’s confused expression, Mr. Chadburn handed her the paper with details of the exchange of property in Torquay to Miss Penelope Smythe. “You knew her better as Madame Zavrina.”
Ashley gasped. “I once heard her brother refer to her as Penny. I thought the difference in their last name was because she was widowed at a young age.”
Mr. Chadburn shook his head. “I’ve done only a cursory search so far, but I found no evidence that she ever married. There may have been a broken betrothal. That would require more research, and I wanted to know how you wish to proceed before I invest more time in any particular line of exploration.”
Ashley took a moment to ponder the information that changed her view, however slightly, of Madame Zavrina. She’d never been married. If Ashley went forward with her plan to run her own school, would that also doom her to never marry? Never be at the mercy of a husband’s whims. But also never cuddle on the sofa before the fire after a late-night snack. Fall asleep with her head pillowed on her loved one’s chest, his arm around her.
Mr. Chadburn brought her back to the present. “Mr. Smythe has already established a new,ahem, business enterprise on the academy’s property.”
Ashley waved her hand dismissively. “Yes, we knew he was turning it into a brothel. That’s why we all left.”
Uncle Edward sputtered. “Good heavens, no, you don’t want to go anywhere near that property.”
“I did, however, enjoy being able to walk along the seashore in Torquay when I had free time,” Ashley continued. “Perhaps we can find something suitable between Plymouth and Dover?” Many of the former students as well as teachers from the academy were from towns near Torquay. Maybe she’d be able to visit with old friends now and then after all. New friends like Georgia were wonderful, but she also treasured long-term relationships. Mrs. Rafferty, for example, had been one of her instructors when Ashley attended as a student, before becoming a colleague and friend. And a school in a picturesque location should make it easier to attract and retain staff.
