The Summer Maiden

Chapter Three (#uce918d8c-7229-5881-9f9b-c52cb8d7830c)

‘Miss Manning?’ The man snatched off his bowler hat, allowing a shock of carroty hair to fall over his eyes. ‘I didn’t expect you to come to the door.’

He looked vaguely familiar, but she could not place him. ‘I’m sorry. You seem to know me, but I’m afraid I can’t return the compliment, sir. Who are you?’

‘Laurence Bromley. We met at Rugby School.’

‘Of course. Yes, I remember you now.’ Caroline hesitated, wondering whether to invite him in or not. ‘You were about to leave your employment on the day we arrived.’

‘Yes, that’s right.’

‘Then you haven’t come to take my brothers back to school …’

‘No, that’s not the case, Miss Manning.’

She stood aside. ‘You’d better come in, but I have to tell you that the boys won’t be returning to Rugby.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that. It’s an excellent school.’

‘But you didn’t find it to your liking.’

‘There were personal differences between myself and the headmaster.’

‘So why are you here today, Mr Bromley?’

‘I was in the area and I was concerned for the boys’ welfare.’

Ingram had appeared from the depths of the house, but Caroline had no intention of discussing family matters in front of the butler. ‘You’d better come with me, Mr Bromley.’ She beckoned to the butler. ‘We’ll have coffee in the morning parlour, and some of Cook’s seed cake, too.’

Ingram cleared his throat, standing stiffly to attention. ‘I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Miss Caroline.’

She turned to him, eyebrows raised. ‘What did you say?’

‘The talk in the servants’ hall is that we are all to lose our positions, Miss Caroline.’

‘Perhaps I should come back another time,’ Laurence said in a low voice.

‘No, you’re here now.’ Caroline turned to Ingram, keeping calm with difficulty. ‘We’ll sort this out later.’

‘Cook is packing her bags as we speak. She’s been offered another position and has decided to accept it.’

‘This is obviously a bad time,’ Laurence said hastily. ‘I should go.’

‘No. You came here to enquire about my brothers, and I appreciate your concern.’ Caroline turned to Ingram. ‘I’m sure that someone in the kitchen could make a pot of coffee or some tea. I’d be obliged if you would see to it, please, Ingram.’

‘Of course, Miss Caroline.’ Ingram walked off stiffly as if performing a slow march.

‘Miss Dixon is in the morning parlour,’ Caroline said, making an effort to sound casual, although her mind was racing. The news of their financial problems had obviously travelled fast, and she needed time to think. ‘Come with me, Mr Bromley.’ She crossed the entrance hall and ushered him into the parlour. ‘Sadie, we have a visitor.’

Sadie rose to her feet, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. ‘Mr Bromley, I thought I recognised you. I saw you striding along the pavement, looking very purposeful. What brings you to London?’

‘Please take a seat,’ Caroline said, remembering her manners.

He pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I knew where Max and James lived, and I was passing, so I thought I would call, but it seems that I picked a bad time.’

‘The servants have heard of our financial difficulties, Sadie. Apparently Cook is leaving and it looks as if the others might follow.’ Caroline turned to Bromley. He seemed to be a sensible man and there was no point pretending that all was well. ‘My father’s untimely death has left us in some money problems, Mr Bromley. My brothers couldn’t return to Rugby, even if they wanted to.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘Why are you in London, Mr Bromley?’ Sadie fixed him with a steady look. ‘Have you found employment here?’

‘As a matter of fact I’ve decided to branch out on my own.’

‘Do you mean to open a school?’ Sadie’s eyes shone with enthusiasm. ‘What a splendid idea.’

‘Not exactly. I was thinking more of taking on a few pupils to start with, providing I can find suitable accommodation. I’m not a wealthy man, so I would have to start in a small way, but one day I would like to have my own establishment where I could tutor bright boys, and even a few girls.’

‘How progressive of you.’ Caroline met his candid gaze with a smile of approval. ‘I think that the mothers of future generations should be well educated, but not many people would agree with me.’

‘I do, and I hope to do something about it.’

‘What sort of premises had you in mind, Mr Bromley?’ Sadie asked eagerly. ‘Would it need to be very large?’

‘Not at the beginning. I could only take two or three pupils at a time, so a single room would suffice. But enough about me, you have problems of your own. It was Max and James who were my concern.’

‘One of the servants has taken them to the Zoological Gardens,’ Caroline said hastily. ‘They are grieving for Papa, as you will understand, and I know that they should be furthering their education, but I’m afraid that looks very unlikely at the moment.’

‘Maybe not.’ Sadie focused her attention on Laurence. ‘Are you a good teacher?’

‘I would hope so, Miss Dixon.’

‘And you need to find a suitable premises?’

‘That’s so.’

‘I think we might be able to help you, and you in turn could help us by tutoring Max and James, but I need to talk it over with Caroline before I make any suggestions.’

Caroline stared at her, mystified. ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.’

‘Maybe I should call again, when you’ve had time to discuss matters.’ Bromley pushed back his chair and stood up. ‘I should go now.’

‘Come this time tomorrow,’ Sadie said firmly. ‘I’ll see you out, Mr Bromley.’ She rose to her feet and hustled him out of the room, returning minutes later with a satisfied smile on her face. ‘Well, what do you think, Carrie?’

‘I’m completely in the dark.’

‘As I told that wretch Parkinson, the Captain’s House is mine.’ Sadie reached out to clasp Caroline’s hand. ‘Although your father’s will has to go to Probate, and, under the present circumstances I think it ought to have come to you.’

‘I don’t agree. If Papa wanted you to have the house then that’s how it should be. He couldn’t have foreseen the future.’