“Cohabitate for one year as man and wife, but without marital relations.”
Her cheeks turned pink again, and he remembered that was a sign of embarrassment in some people. Was she embarrassed by the topic?
She looked toward the south window and nodded. “Yes. If we agree to the terms, we can tell Uncle Elliott at dinner, and things will move forward. If we are not agreed, then we shall need to tell him that this will not work.”
“If we are not agreed, we shall not receive our inheritances.”
“Yes.”
Duncan let out a breath. “Then I shall agree to the terms. The disappointment does not overshadow the benefits. I will work very hard to be a good husband, Hazel.”
“I will work equally hard to be a good wife.”
She smiled, and he smiled back. They held one another’s eyes a moment more before she turned to leave the study. He did not mind looking her in the eye the way he minded with other people.
The bedchambers were on the second floor of Howard House, which meant she had to go up the central stairs to reach her room, which was called “The Gold Room” because it was decorated with gold. Duncan did not like the Gold Room—it was overwhelming. He was glad that, when he came to Howard House, he stayed in the Lake Room, which was decorated more simply and incorporated the colors of green and blue that he preferred over gold.
Duncan hurried to catch up with Hazel so he could help her navigate the stairs.
“Thank you,” Hazel said, taking his arm.
He held himself very tightly, expecting the uncomfortable burning sensation he often felt when he made physical contact with another person, such as when Hazel had unexpectedly touched his arm during the first meeting with Uncle Elliott. The burning sensation, however, did not come. In fact, he rather liked being so close to Hazel.
Interesting.
He made a note to offer his help with the stairs on any occasion possible so as to see if this sensation, of not being uncomfortable touching her, would be a lasting one.
Two weeks later, Uncle Elliott came to King’s Lynn and, with him and Sophie beside her, Hazel presented Mrs. Cordon with an offer to purchase Cordon Academy at the end of the spring term, 1824, some seven months from now.
Mrs. Cordon gaped like a fish, but later that afternoon, Hazel was beside Uncle Elliott in a solicitor’s office laying out the terms of the contract.
She would leave the school on November first, a little more than a month from now, but Sophie would retain her teaching position through the spring term. Then she would become the acting headmistress until winter of 1824. Hazel had explained what she could to Sophie without breaking her promise not to share the exact details of the arrangement.
Sophie seemed to infer the basics, however, and agreed to fulfill the responsibilities Hazel had asked of her. They would correspond weekly, but Hazel could not even visit the school unless Duncan came with her, as she and Duncan had to spend every night of the year in the same house.
Mrs. Cordon would tell none of the faculty who the new owner was until the end of spring term, though they would be informed of the sale.
Hazel and Sophie discussed at length which of the teachers they would keep, which they would replace, and which new subjects they would introduce to the curriculum. Sophie wanted to begin teaching German. Hazel was particularly keen on finding a female teacher for physics and astronomy.
Hazel put in her official notice at the school and fielded the curious questions from her fellow teachers who, like her, had long ago given up thoughts of marriage.
During the weeks that the banns were read in both her and Duncan’s local parishes, Hazel corresponded with Amelia regarding the house Amelia had found in Ipswich. It would be furnished and staffed on Hazel’s behalf, though Hazel and Duncan would marry at Howard House.
Duncan had chosen the cook but continued to struggle with the idea of leaving his rooms. The idea of furnishing his upstairs bedroom with the furniture from his apartment helped ease his anxiety but did not remedy it completely. Hazel was able to override her irritation at his fixation on the topic by acknowledging that he had lived in the Burrow Building most of his life. Everything was changing for him, which would be very difficult for a man who relied on routine and structure.
Everything was changing for Hazel, too, and she felt she was making the greater sacrifice by leaving King’s Lynn. But she was looking forward to having a house—a space—of her own. The management of it felt overwhelming, but it would be for only one year. She hadn’t had a home for such a long time, and it was rather exciting to live a version of the life she’d given up on years ago.
On November first, her fellow teachers held a special tea in her honor. Hazel felt guilty both for keeping the details of her ownership from them and for leaving the school without an advanced maths teacher to replace her, but she comforted herself with visions of what this school would become after significant renovations and a revised curriculum.
At eleven o’clock, Gretchen announced that the Howardsford carriage had arrived. Hazel pushed herself to her feet and limped to the door where her trunk was being loaded beneath the carriage. Duncan had taken it upon himself to find a cobbler in Ipswich who could make her a new boot; she would meet with him as soon as she was settled. It was enough for now to know there was relief in sight.
Hazel had been expecting a solitary ride from Lynn to Ipswich, and so was surprised when she heard a familiar voice behind her in the entry.
“Good afternoon, Hazel.”
Hazel turned, surprised to see Lady Howardsford standing next to Sophie. “Amelia?”
“You were expecting someone else?” Amelia said with eyebrows raised. “I had meant to wait in the carriage but needed a comfort break. We have not stopped for hours and will travel straight to East Ashlam so as to avoid traveling in the dark.”
Hazel blinked. “You came all this way to accompany me?”
“Well, certainly, dear,” Amelia said with a smile, putting her hand on Hazel’s arm and giving it a squeeze. “I did not want you to travel on your own, and we can use the time to go over the details of the wedding.”
The wedding.
Through letters, they had agreed on Thursday, November 20, for the ceremony. Hazel had asked Amelia to manage all the details because she had no idea how to approach it herself. Plus she was overwhelmed by trying to finish her teaching and plan for such a different life.
Hazel shared a final goodbye with Sophie, who held the embrace a few seconds longer than usual.
“I will miss you,” Sophie whispered into Hazel’s ear, “but wish you every happiness. Write to me as soon as you arrive and tell me everything.”
Hazel nodded and blinked back tears. “I will miss you too.”