The Wolfhound yawned again, and she laughed. “I can see that.”
They’d reached the Park, and the three of them who were riding gave their horses their heads as they raced down the carriage way. They slowed as they reached Lady Turley.
Nate was only a little surprised when she and Lady Exeter dropped back, giving him a chance to speak with Henrietta alone.
Now was a good time to ask for her help. He took a breath. “I wondered if you could assist me with a problem I’m having at my main estate.”
Letting her mare amble, she kept her gaze on him. What would it be like to have him be her focus all the time? “Of course, if I am able to.”
“I decided last year to start a school for the children of my tenants and the village. I had imagined something like a dame school. Unfortunately, the teacher I hired wrote to inform me that the children stopped attending and that he was resigning. Apparently, their parents don’t see the value in the school.”
Her rosy lips curved into a small smile. “That has been a problem for other landowners. But there are solutions.” She tilted her head. “However, are you certain you want to have a dame school? Their goal is to teach only very basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.”
He hadn’t actually thought about it. “Is that not sufficient?”
She shrugged. “It depends on what you wish to accomplish in the long term. Many of my father’s tenants have large families, and it is not feasible for all the boys to remain at home. Of course, they expect the girls will marry. Yet, even so, they can still benefit from a better education.”
“You’re right. If the boys can’t remain, they will need apprenticeships or something else. And not all girls wed. They too could benefit from apprenticeships.”
“That is certainly part of it.” Henrietta gave him a look of approval. And for some reason he wanted to puff out his chest. “We have discovered that very intelligent people can be found at all levels of society. Giving them the opportunity to study more advanced subjects separates the cream, so to speak. My father has sponsored several boys and some girls by sending them to other schools or universities. One of the girls became a teacher. Another opened her own business. As for the boys, there are solicitors, doctors, accountants.” She gave him a rueful grin. “I could go on, but I am sure you understand.”
She had told Nate her father was a Radical, and here was the proof. “I do understand, and I agree. No one should be held back by their status in society.” His father was probably rolling over in his grave. “However, I still have to get them to school.”
“What have you tried thus far?”
Not much at all. “I naively thought that offering the school would be enough.”
Her lips twitched. “I think everyone’s first attempt is the same.” Henrietta chuckled lightly. “Unfortunately, it can be difficult to convince people to change their way of thinking.”
That was the truth. “I’ve found that out. What do you suggest I try next?”
Her lips formed a moue, making him want to kiss her. “Well, if their parents are very recalcitrant, you might have to be more high-handed, but in a way that gives the parents a clear benefit.” Her black brows furrowed. “Lord Littleton not only pays a stipend to the parents equal to what the child’s benefit to the family is for the time the child is in school, he has a wagon that picks them up in the morning.”
“I assume merely offering to pay the families didn’t work.” Nate had a hard time understanding why it would not, but he had to simply accept that it did not.
“Unfortunately, no. Sending the wagon around did work. It seems to have provided the incentive that offering the school and money did not.”
“I understand.” No tenant would want to put himself up against the landowner. “I’ll try that method. Now, I just have to find another teacher.”
“I am certain I or one of my friends can help you.” Her brows furrowed again, causing a line between her eyes that he wanted to smooth away. “You might want to hold off lessons until the spring planting is finished.”
“Another good idea.” He’d started the school in January, thinking that it would be a good time to begin. And it probably was. But now was not a good time. “I can still start searching for a teacher. If I am to expand what the students are taught it will take time to put the plan in place.”
“Indeed.” Her green eyes met his. “I am happy to be of help. If you require it, that is.”
Yes, yes, yes! That would give him more time with her. “I am quite sure I will.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Henrietta wanted to laugh out loud with joy. This was exactly the type of conversation she wanted to have with whomever she married. The same type of give-and-take her parents, sister, and friends had. Something inside her had told her it would be like this with Fotherby. She would have to find out if it was the same with Lords Bolingbroke and St. Albans. Just to be fair. She had promised herself she would give them a chance. Although it might be just Lord Bolingbroke who was interested in marriage this year. Remembering what he had said about visiting charities, she grimaced to herself. On the other hand, he might not be worth considering after all.
She glanced at Fotherby, and his beautiful, blue eyes were sparkling with happiness as he gazed back at her. Henrietta dragged her gaze from his. “We should catch up with the others.”
Looking around, he shook his head slightly. “I had no idea they were so far ahead of us. But it will give us an opportunity to gallop again.”
She had just thought the same thing. “It will.”
They brought their horses to a canter, glanced at each other and laughed. She did not think she had ever been so happy. Not only that, but they would have the whole day together. It was what she wanted. Although it might not be the wisest thing she had ever done. In fact, she was sure it was not. She shrugged to herself. For now she was going to enjoy herself.
They reached Dorie and Georgie in a few minutes and pulled up. Dorie gave Henrietta an inquiring look and Georgie just smiled smugly. If Henrietta did not know better, she would believe they were matchmaking. But they had encouraged the other two gentlemen as well. Ergo, if they were trying to make a match for Henrietta, they had not settled on anyone in particular. It was lovely to have friends who not only cared about one, but would assist when needed.
“It is going to be wonderful weather for our jaunt to Richmond,” Georgie said.
“Indeed it is,” Dorie agreed.
Henrietta had already told them she was engaged to dine with her grandmother this evening, and they promised they would be back in good time. “I am so looking forward to our outing.”
“I am too.” Fotherby glanced at her at the same time she looked at him.
Warmth infused her cheeks, the sound of wheels made her look away, and they all stopped for a dray carrying milk.
He broke away from them when they reached Park Avenue, where she and her friends continued on to Turley House on Green Street. As she and Dorie rode to Grosvenor Square, her friend said, “You seemed to be having an interesting conversation with Lord Fotherby.”
“I was.” Henrietta grinned. “We were discussing a school he wants to start for his tenants’ and the village children.”