“We built a pyramid out of clay yesterday,” Lord James said excitedly. He jumped up from his chair and went to the cupboards lining one wall. Most were full of things for lessons, but he pulled out a baking tray with the miniature pyramid. “When it’s all dry, we’re to paint hieroglyphs all over it.”
“We have also been reading about the deities of Egypt.” Lady Isabelle said happily. “Did you know that the Greeks and Egyptians had many similar gods?”
“You sound precisely like a little heathen,” Lady Josephine said, rocking back in her seat with wide eyes. “You mustn’t tell Grandmama such things but do tell me all about it.”
By the time tea arrived, the whole group discussed life upon the Nile River with as much interest as others discussed society’s latest gossip. Alice poured out amid a conversation on whether Egyptian cotton was superior to the cotton grown elsewhere in the world. The topic thrilled her, reaffirming she had done something right in their studies. If the children could discuss Egypt with ease and interest, that meant they had enjoyed learning.
“Next week, our studies turn to the Romans. We will study the history, mythology, and art.”
“Then I must come to tea again next week.” Lady Josephine took a little cake in one hand, holding her teacup in the other. “Truly, Miss Sharpe, I wish my governess had inspired me as you have inspired these horrid little beasts.”
Given the grins and giggles, the three youngest members of the duke’s family enjoyed being labeled beasts by their sister. There was obvious affection among the siblings, and adoration from Alice’s charges meant for their sister alone.
“They are apt pupils, my lady. We also make an effort to concentrate on the more interesting bits of history.” She hid her smile behind the rim of her cup. “Other subjects are proving to be more difficult, at times. We are struggling with botany.”
“Oh?” Lady Josephine exchanged a surprised look with Miss Arlen. “I thought you were acquainted with our guest, Mr. Gardiner? I had heard the two of you are working together on Papa’s catalog.”
Alice’s cheeks warmed. She had not seen Mr. Gardiner since they spoke that afternoon two days previous. Perhaps he had thought better of asking for her assistance. “We have met, and I agreed to help him when my duties allow. I cannot think of disturbing him with the children’s lessons.”
Miss Arlen’s teacup rattled against her saucer. “Why ever not? If you are to help him, he ought not mind helping you.”
Lady Josephine gave a succinct nod. “I quite agree. It would be ungentlemanly of him to refuse.”
Lord James had wandered away to a row of soldiers upon the table, and Lady Rosalind had taken up a book to read while she nibbled on a molasses biscuit. That left Lady Isabelle as part of their conversation, sitting precisely the way her elder sister sat.
“I do not think he would refuse, should I ask him. But I have no wish to put anyone out on my account.” Alice shifted in her chair, lowering her eyes to the carpet. “Mr. Gardiner’s work for His Grace is of great importance. Taking time away from that work for the children to learn more about flowers seems frivolous.”
Lady Josephine persisted, leaning forward almost eagerly. “Given that botany is such an important subject to Papa, and that Mr. Gardiner is something of an expert, I doubt it would be seen that way.”
Why the duke’s eldest daughter felt so strongly on the matter, Alice could not guess. But Miss Arlen nodded along sagely with every word. Perhaps the entire household shared the duke’s obsession with plants.
A knock on the door prohibited Alice from making her answer. She rose from where she sat and went to the door, puzzled. Had the schoolroom become the center of household socializing?
Alice opened the door to reveal three maids, two bearing large, ornate pots full of flowers. The flowers were in every color imaginable, with two of each type of blossom, appearing rather like colorful explosions in the arms of the servants.
“What is all this?” Alice asked. The strong fragrance of several types of flowers wafted through the hall and into the schoolroom.
The maid without flowers handed Alice a folded sheet of paper, torn along the edge as though it had come out of a book. She held in her other arm a sheaf of paper tucked against her chest. Alice unfolded the note and read it, and with each word her heart beat faster.
Miss Sharpe,
Here are the first blossoms. I’ve made note of their names and where they were found in the gardens on this paper. If you feel any of my sketches need correction, know that I trust your judgement on the matter and do not hesitate to mend my mistakes.
Please have the sketches returned to me when you are finished with them.
Thank you for your efforts.
Most Sincerely,
R.G.
She stepped out of the doorway and gestured for the maids to enter. “Do put those on the table. Thank you for bringing them all the way upstairs.” The maid with the papers held them out, and Alice took them. She leafed through each sheet, noting the charcoal and pencil sketches of several flowers, all without color.
There were perhaps two dozen sheets.
“Have you an admirer, Miss Sharpe?” Lady Josephine had risen to examine the flowers. The maids curtsied and filed out the door, closing it behind them. “If so, he ought to be informed that mixing this many blooms is more likely to cause a headache than tenderness of feeling.”
“The orchids are rather strong,” Miss Arlen agreed. “But very pretty.”
Alice came to the table and put the stack of paper upon its surface, then handed Lady Josephine the note. “Not an admirer, my lady. Mr. Gardiner.”
What did the R stand for?
“Oh, this is part of the catalog project.” Lady Isabelle had flounced her way over to the table, too. “You have to paint all of these?” Her eyes widened at the task.
Alice looked again at the drawing on the top of the stack. “I am expected to do my best, yes.” She lifted it to inspect the next one.
“You see, the gentleman owes you a favor.” Lady Josephine sounded rather triumphant as she handed the note back to Alice. “You will make your best effort on his behalf, so he will do the same for you.”
As though used to echoing her lady, Miss Arlen immediately agreed. “You can at least ask him, Miss Sharpe.”
Alice shook her head, reading his note once more, her eyes tracing the curls of his handwriting as well as its sharp points. The R continued to intrigue her.
“Perhaps you are right. If an opportunity presents itself, I will speak to him.”
From the corner of her eye, she thought she detected Lady Josephine and Miss Arlen sharing suspiciously pleased grins. But she had to have imagined it. What did they truly care if she spoke to Mr. Gardiner or not?
Alice had more pressing issues. She had two dozen types of flowers to paint.
Chapter 10
Rupert dug about in his largest trunk, hunting for a book on the subject of bees. He had found a large swarm in the lower gardens and meant to discover exactly where they had come from and where they might go next. The beekeeper on the estate knew nothing of the swarm and swore not a single one of his hives had abandoned their posts. He seemed keen to add new bees to his colonies, however.