The Conundrum of a Clerk

by Sande, Linda Rae

  Trays of cakes and biscuits covered the low table in front of the settee where Lady Bostwick did the honor of pouring tea and adding milk and sugar for those that wanted it. Quiet conversation soon increased in volume as Charity’s colleagues learned of her wedding.

  Before Teddy could put voice to his welcoming comments, Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat and announced he and Jane would be marrying when the school closed for six weeks in the summer. “Miss Betterman has agreed to be my wife and to be a mother for my Emily,” he said proudly.

  “But you won’t be seeing the last of me,” Jane said. “I intend to continue teaching music and drawing.”

  Expecting the announcement but not this soon, Daisy felt relief at hearing this last bit. The others murmured their best wishes as smiles replaced the uncertain expressions they had worn coming into the parlor

  Recognizing the slight lull after the murmurs died down, Teddy cleared his throat. “I believe I’ve met all of you. I feel a bit sheepish it’s taken me so long given you all knew my mother for so long. But you see, I was not the best son. I didn’t pay regular calls on Mrs. Streater whilst she toiled away at Warwick’s everyday. Instead, I joined her for an occasional luncheon or dinner away from the school,” he explained. “We didn’t speak of Warwick’s but rather of my position at the bank and sometimes about my brother, Baron Streater. All that time, she was running what has become a rather fine school. A well-regarded school. Made so because of you and your classes.”

  Daisy blinked a few times as she listened to his words. Despite his comments the day before suggesting he would be unable to address the instructors, he was doing a damn fine job of it. So she could barely hide her annoyance when Mrs. Fitzgerald sat shaking her head, as if she expected there was a ‘but’ coming in his speech.

  Teddy seemed oblivious to her, though, when he continued. “I wish to thank Lady Bostwick for hosting us on this fine day. From what I learned yesterday afternoon, it might not have been.”

  This last was met with expressions of worry and an exaggerated gasp from Mrs. Fitzgerald. “I just knew it,” she whispered.

  Teddy took a deep breath and continued. “I’m sure you all thought of my mother as a... a dragon. She was strict for a reason, of course—Warwick’s is a finishing school with students from some of the finest families in London—but she was also a woman of foresight and self-discipline,” he said, his voice sounding with pride. “She died having saved enough money to have Warwick’s restored to its former glory. She also saw to hiring those that will do that restoration. While classes are out for the summer season, Warwick’s will undergo many changes—all good—so that when you resume teaching classes, you shall do so in buildings that do not leak and in classrooms with new paint, windows, gas lighting, refinished floors, and door locks.”

  Soft inhalations of breath could be heard throughout the parlor, and Daisy allowed a grin when she caught Teddy looking in her direction.

  “Now that I have secured the necessary funds to complete my mother’s vision, I can assure you all the work will be done. I ask only that you agree to continue in your roles at the school. Miss Albright and I will see to it another instructor is hired to cover at least one of her three classes,” he explained. He took a breath then, holding it a moment as if he was trying to remember more of his speech. “Are there any questions?”

  Mrs. Fitzgerald glanced around the room before raising a hand. “Does this mean... no one is being let go?” she asked. “Even those who are to be married?”

  His eyes darting sideways, Teddy said, “No. No one is being let go. Should you decide to remarry, Mrs. Fitzgerald, you, too, shall be allowed to continue in your position.”

  The theatre appreciation teacher’s eyes widened. “Well, then,” she replied. “Perhaps I shall have to make myself known to the actor who is portraying Brutus at the Drury Lane Theatre,” she said as she fanned her face with a hand.

  A series of titters made their way through the parlor before Teddy dipped his head. “May I ask that you refrain from doing so until after tonight’s performance? Our hosts are attending this evening, and I shouldn’t want the actor playing Brutus to be missing when it’s time for the curtain call.”

  When everyone simply stared at Teddy, he gave a quick shake of his head. “I meant that as a joke, of course,” he said in a quiet voice.

  Daisy couldn’t help the giggle that erupted just then, which had Jane joining in at the same time Mrs. Prendergast allowed a grin. But it was Mrs. Fitzgerald who laughed the loudest. “Oh, if I must, then I shall wait until after the curtain falls a final time,” she assured him, which had everyone laughing.

  And so the level of the conversation increased as more tea was poured and trays of biscuits and cakes were offered. At precisely four o’clock, several made their excuses and took their leave of the parlor. By ten past the hour, only Daisy remained as Teddy and Elizabeth saw to the departing guests at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Pardon me, Miss Albright,” a young woman said from the threshold. “Name’s Christiansen. I’m to be your lady’s maid for the evening. Whenever you are ready, I’ll escort you to your room.”

  Daisy regarded the servant with a look of surprise. She had just been imagining Teddy helping with her fastenings. “Very well, Christiansen,” she said as she stood and joined the maid. “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 32

  A Night at the Theatre

  Just over an hour later

  When the Bostwick town coach pulled up to the front of Bostwick Place, Daisy was already on her way down the steps from the guest bedchamber Lady Bostwick had insisted she use. The young woman assigned as her lady’s maid had spent nearly an hour dressing Daisy’s hair.

  Daisy had allowed Christiansen to take down her simple top knot. The young woman brushed out her hair and took time deciding on a style before weaving most of it into an elegant chignon. Then she went about securing the leftover curls of brunette hair with dozens of pins around her creation. “It’s beautiful,” Daisy breathed, turning first one way and then the other to regard the styling. “Can you add these?” Daisy asked as she fished a set of jeweled combs from the valise. Christiansen regarded the combs and then the chignon for a moment before carefully setting them in place.

  “It’s perfect,” Daisy murmured.

  “Thank you, my lady. Do you need me to do anything else?”

  “Two fastenings,” Daisy replied, turning her back to the maid after she stood up from the dressing table.

  Anna made quick work of the tiny hooks and then walked around Daisy before giving her a nod. “You’ll have him speechless, my lady,” she said with a nod.

  Daisy almost repeated, “Him?” but managed to grin instead. “I know I’m not supposed to thank servants, but please accept my gratitude. It’s a rather auspicious day.”

  She was officially a part owner of Warwick’s. And she was about to attend the theatre with her new partner in business.

  “You’re welcome, my lady.” Christiansen curtsied and took her leave. A few minutes later, Daisy stepped out into the hallway and almost collided with a young boy.

  “Well, hello,” she said as she regarded David Bennett-Jones. Except for his auburn hair, and chubbier cheeks, he might have been her brother, William.

  The boy giggled and then bowed, nearly toppling over as he did so. “Is very good to meet you, Lady Flower,” he replied. When he returned to standing, he reached for her gloved hand.

  Not expecting the courtesy and wondering at how he addressed her, Daisy thought he meant for her to lift him into her arms. So she did, just as a harried nurse hurried in her direction.

  “Oh, I apologize, my lady,” Mrs. Foster said, nearly breathless. She curtsied once she was in front of Daisy. “Master David has mastered door handles,” she said as she reached out to take the toddler from Daisy.

  Settling the boy onto a hip, Daisy turned her attention to the boy and gave him a grin. “Have you now?” She glanced up at the nurse. “May
I see his sister?” she asked in a whisper, suddenly desperate to hold a baby.

  Mrs. Foster blinked. “I... I suppose.”

  “Lead the way, while I discover more about this handsome young gentleman.”

  “But, my lady. He’s crushing your gown,” Mrs. Foster warned in a worried voice.

  “Nonsense,” she replied, turning her attention back to the boy who was staring at her with wide eyes. “Now, Mister Bennett-Jones, what did you call me?”

  David hid his face against her shoulder and giggled.

  “Did you call me Lady Flower?”

  Straightening in her hold, David finally made eye contact and nodded. “I can’t remember,” he whispered.

  “You’re a flirt,” she accused.

  David’s eyes widened. “Mama calls me that.”

  “Oh, of that I’m sure. Now, can you say, ‘Daisy’?” she asked, well aware of the nurse’s occasional worried glances in her direction as they made their way up a flight of stairs and to the nursery.

  David hit his forehead with his hand. “Daisy,” he repeated. “Lady Daisy.” And then he giggled again. “Flower.”

  “He’s learning the flowers in the garden, my lady,” Mrs. Foster said then, as if she thought that was the reason he had referred to her as Lady Flower. They entered the nursery, where a large bassinet held a fussing baby.

  “Oh, is this your sister?” Daisy asked as she moved to stand next to the bassinet. She gazed down onto the small baby, its cries ceasing when it realized it was no longer alone. “May I hold her, do you think?”

  The boy nodded. “Lady Charlotte,” he said as he indicated he wanted down. “She’s my lil sister. Dada says he go broke ’cuz her dow-ree.” He giggled then when Daisy rolled her eyes.

  “I rather doubt that,” Daisy said as she lowered him to the floor and then reached for Charlotte. “Oh, such a pretty little darling,” she murmured as she lifted the babe into the crook of her arm. “You look just like my little sister.” She simply stared at the bundle for a time before she was suddenly aware of someone at her side.

  “I’d offer to let you borrow her for a day, but my husband would probably punish me, and not in a manner I would enjoy,” Elizabeth said with a wink.

  Daisy suppressed the urge to giggle. “I suppose you would like to say good-bye,” she said as she passed the blanket-wrapped baby to its mother.

  “Mr. Streater is downstairs. George and I will be at least a few minutes,” Elizabeth said, one of her eyebrows arching suggestively.

  “Oh,” Daisy replied. “I’ll... I’ll go keep him company,” she said as she curtsied. She tousled David’s hair and gave him a wink before hurrying out of the nursery. She was down the two flights of stairs and into the main hall only a moment later. When there was no sign of Mr. Streater, she allowed the butler to place her mantle on her shoulders before she made her way into the vestibule.

  She would have made her way to the coach on her own, but Teddy was there, standing near the front door. Dressed in black satin breeches, a new topcoat, and a silver waistcoat, he looked as if he was headed to a ball.

  “I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” she said as she approached and curtsied to his deep bow.

  “Only a moment.” Although she didn’t offer her hand, Teddy reached for it and bestowed a kiss on the back of her satin glove. “Your gown is lovely,” Teddy remarked as he offered his arm. “No one would ever believe you’re a headmistress.”

  Daisy angled her head. “They will if they know their fashions. I do believe this gown is three Seasons out of date,” she claimed. “Thank you again for the invitation.”

  Teddy was about to step out the door, but he paused. “I cannot take all the credit. Viscount Bostwick insisted I invite someone, and when I told him I didn’t know whom that would be, he mentioned you.”

  Her disappointment was hard to mask, but Daisy managed to say, “How very kind of him,” at the same time Lord and Lady Bostwick hurried past them and out the front door.

  “We should be going,” Teddy said.

  “Of course,” Daisy replied, placing her hand on his arm. They made their way to the Bostwick town coach, the door held open by the same groom who had held it for the teachers when they had arrived for that afternoon’s tea.

  Lady Bostwick grinned and patted the leather squabs next to her. She was sitting so she faced the direction of traffic. “Do join me, Miss Albright. The men will just have us for a view this evening.”

  “A rather gorgeous view, if you were to ask me,” George Bennett-Jones said as Teddy settled next to him.

  “And me,” Teddy added, allowing a sigh when he found he was directly across from Daisy.

  Daisy couldn’t help but blush. “Thank you for including me this evening. I haven’t been to a play in an age,” she said. “Mrs. Fitzgerald attended the rehearsal last night, but I’ve yet to hear her review. Well, except for assessment of the actor who portrays Brutus,” she said in a quieter voice, which had Elizabeth chuckling.

  “It’s been a long time since we’ve attended,” George said. “Since well before Charlotte was born.”

  “We had considered going that one evening, but it’s a good thing we didn’t,” Elizabeth said. “Or Charlotte would have been experiencing her first play and her first ride in a coach.”

  Daisy widened her eyes as she looked to Elizabeth for an explanation. “Quick labor?” she guessed.

  “Indeed,” the viscountess replied. “Not quite as quick as her brother. Poor George had to play midwife for David,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “He arrived early, too.”

  “Is a crowd expected this evening?” Teddy asked, his question directed to George.

  “Opening night always fills the house,” George replied. “But I have a box with room for eight and a bottle of champagne, so we’ll be comfortable.”

  Room for eight meant they might all sit in the front row, Daisy considered. She had expected to sit way in the back—in the shadows—and would have been happy to do so. Opening night meant most of the ton would be in attendance. The Duke and Duchess of Ariley, too.

  She dared a glance at Teddy, who she caught staring at her. He quickly averted his eyes, and she allowed a grin even as she wondered how she would handle a situation where she and her father might cross paths.

  How would she explain how she knew the duke? Would Ariley make it apparent she was related to him? Or behave as if they were mere acquaintances?

  Was she ready to tell Teddy she was the illegitimate daughter of a duke?

  Her reverie was interrupted when the coach halted.

  “I won’t mind if we have to walk a bit,” Elizabeth said, parting the curtains to reveal the crowds heading toward the theatre. The coaches were three-deep, making it difficult for the drivers to negotiate the limited space. “It’s not raining.”

  “Me, neither,” Daisy agreed, realizing the men were waiting for the women’s permission to take their leave of the coach.

  George used his cane to tap on the trap door. His driver opened the door, his face appearing after a moment. “We’ll get out here,” George called up.

  “Vera good, guv’nor,” the driver replied.

  A tiger had the door open and the steps down even before George could do so. Teddy followed him, and then the ladies stepped out, each taking their escort’s proffered arm. A linkboy led the way until they reached the entry, and George tossed him a coin before he and Elizabeth passed through the front doors into the lobby.

  Daisy scanned the room with a practiced eye, her gaze taking in the crowd as well as the individual faces she recognized. Lord and Lady Chamberlain were engaged in conversation with Lord Sommers and his baroness, Evangeline. The Earl and Countess of Torrington were holding court with a number of younger aristocrats, most probably his godsons. The Cunninghams and the Sewards were already making their way up the steps, the “second sons” deep in conversation as their wives grinned at one another in shared understanding.

  At the to
p of the stairs, her father and stepmother were just about to turn and look out over the crowd when another couple caught their attention.

  Daisy sighed in relief.

  “You needn’t be worried about your gown,” Teddy said in a whisper, his head leaning in her direction.

  Blinking, Daisy was about to claim she wasn’t when she realized he had misunderstood her perusal of the crush. “Thank you for saying so. It’s not as if I’ve had a moment to go shopping,” she said, giving him a wink when he regarded her in shock.

  “Should you need some time off, you only need...”

  “I am teasing, Mr. Streater,” she replied, patting the top of his gloved hand with the hand that rested on his left arm. “I have no need of such gowns or frippery.”

  Teddy tried to imagine her in the gown that Elizabeth was wearing and found he could not. Daisy was stunning in the peach confection she was wearing now, her brunette hair piled high atop her head and held in place with decorative combs. The jewels that lined each one were probably paste, but they looked real enough. As did the ones that dangled from her plump earlobes.

  He imagined nibbling on one of those lobes, imagined kissing the space just under her ear, down the long column of her neck to the tops of her shoulders. Imagined pulling her sleeves down to her elbows so that he might kiss the tops of her breasts and maybe even nibble on a nipple, should one escape the confines of her gown. He was about to imagine what he might do even lower on her body when he realized she was staring at him.

  “Are we going with Lord Bostwick?” Daisy asked, her head angling toward the stairs.

  Teddy blinked and followed her gaze. “Oh, of course,” he replied, before leading her to the base of the stairs. “I’m a bit awed,” he said by way of an explanation. “I haven’t been here since before it burned down and was rebuilt.”