When they entered the large front room of the schoolhouse, the girls were seated at a long table with slates and chalk in front of them. They all stood up and bowed. Fanny raised her hand just a little and gave Julia a wave. Off to the side, Mrs. Tallon was standing in front of several large crates and two wooden barrels.
Julia and Brina greeted the girls, taking time to ask them a few questions about their studies and sewing work. The mistress wore a grim, perplexed expression on her face and waited until they walked over to greet her.
“Good afternoon, Lady Kitson, Mrs. Feld. Thank you for coming over right away. I don’t know what to do.”
Concerned because she didn’t see anything askance, Julia asked, “Tell us the problem and together we’ll find an answer.”
Mrs. Tallon pointed to the crates. “These are the problem. I have no idea why they were delivered to the school. I didn’t order any of this, and I don’t believe Lady Lyonwood ordered it. We talked about supplies the day before she left on her journey and decided we had enough of everything and would wait until she returned to resupply the sewing room.”
From where Julia was standing she could see that the crates had been opened and were filled with bolts of fabric, spools of threads, ribbons, and lace.
Julia looked at the innocuous items before her. “I’m not clear what the problem is. Do you think these were delivered to the wrong address?”
“They must have been. The man in charge of this delivery said he was positive he had the correct place. The Seafarer’s School for Girls. He insisted he had no idea who this came from. His only job was to bring it here. I had him take the tops off the crates before he left so I would know what they were leaving.”
“Maybe Lady Lyonwood ordered it while she’s away?” Brina offered as a way of explanation.
“I don’t think so. Look at what is inside these crates, Mrs. Feld,” Mrs. Tallon said, her brows pinching together. “These girls are still learning to make their stitches, use scissors correctly, and make their buttons tight. They aren’t ready to work on such fine fabrics as these. This—this isn’t for students. Some of these items belong in the finest modiste shops in London. Who would send this quality to a school?”
Puzzled by what the mistress was saying, Julia and Brina walked closer and looked into the opened crates.
One box was overflowing with lace, and still another contained large spools of colorful sewing and embroidery threads. Julia laid her reticule, gloves, and shawl aside and pulled open the drawstrings of one of the bags from a barrel. It was filled with high-quality white glass beads. Opening another bag, she found more expensive beads. Another contained beautiful ostrich and pheasant feathers.
Julia was stunned. “Yes, of course, you’re right, Mrs. Tallon. Some of these things aren’t appropriate for our students to work with. Are you sure he said these were to come to the school?”
“Positive. I had him show me the note he’d been given with the name of the school and the address.”
Julia’s and Brina’s gazes connected once again. Suddenly Julia had a feeling she knew where the gifts had come from, and she murmured, “Perhaps a pirate sent them over.”
Brina pursed her lips and then smiled. “That’s the same thought I had. You don’t suppose he—he?”
“No. No, of course not,” Julia said, but wasn’t convinced that Mr. Stockton hadn’t somehow absconded with someone else’s shipment and given it to the girls.
“I need to know what I’m to do with this,” Mrs. Tallon said, showing her frustration in a tight, determined expression. “I’m sure we can use much of what’s here, if not now, then later as the girls progress,” Mrs. Tallon continued. “I haven’t been through all the crates, but some of these fabrics are simply too delicate, and the girls aren’t anywhere near ready for beading and feather work.”
Julia turned to Mrs. Tallon. “We won’t worry about that right now. I have reason to believe these were delivered to the correct address. I’ll leave it to you to decide what you can use and how best to use it. Re-crate the rest and let me know when it’s ready. In the meantime, Brina and I will think of something to do with what’s left over. And please let the girls look over all the fabrics and beading. It will be good for them to know the difference in the textures of the fabrics and what needle works best with each one. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you these things so I’ll leave it all to you.”
“I’ll make it part of their lessons.”
“Now, if you don’t mind, Mrs. Tallon,” Julia said. “I’d like to use a quill and a sheet of vellum or foolscap—whatever you have nearby. I need to write a note. If you could have one of your helpers deliver it to the Holcott-Fortney Inn, I’d be most grateful.”
“Of course,” she said, seeming pleased she could do something for Julia. “I’ll see that it’s done.”
“Thank you.”
After the letter to Garrett was sealed and goodbyes were said, Julia and Brina headed toward the street where the carriage waited.
“It must have been Mr. Stockton who sent the boxes over,” Brina said as soon as they were away from the school.
“Of course he did,” Julia answered tightly. “He is the only pirate we’ve ever met. Who else would have access to such expensive cloth and beads to give away? What I want to know is where did he get it and why did he give it to the school?”
“I think that is simple enough to understand. He wanted to do something nice for the school and help the girls.”
“Does he think we can’t take care of the school we started?” Julia asked, not really knowing why she was irritated about his extravagant donation. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t been in touch for three days. Didn’t he know she was anxious to hear from him? Even if it was only to see and talk to him.
“That’s nonsense. I think we’ve proven to everyone we can take care of the girls,” Brina answered. “To me it says he’s a kind and generous man.”
They stopped in front of the open carriage door. Julia looked at the driver and said, “Don’t drive too fast. We don’t want to tire the horses.”
“Really, Julia,” Brina protested in earnest. “Can’t we go at a normal pace this time?”
“Animals need to be taken care of just like people. We wouldn’t run anywhere unless there was an emergency, and neither should the horses.”
“All right,” Brina said, her expression softening. “Since it’s only a short drive to Pilwillow Crossings from here, do you mind if we go there? Not for a visit. That hasn’t been arranged. Just to look. It’s one of the days they serve food.”
The duke would be returning any day now, and there was no sign of help from Garrett or his accountant, Mr. Urswick. Mr. Pratt was a beast, and thoughts of Garrett’s touch were never far from her mind. Yet with all that to worry about, she couldn’t deny Brina’s request.
“Yes. Let’s go,” Julia said after taking in a deep breath. “We have the rest of the afternoon. We might as well put it to use.”
After they boarded the coach and the ride was underway, Brina said, “I’m assuming the note you wrote was to thank Mr. Stockton on behalf of the school.”