Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,1
and keep during term time and in the holidays. But that had not been at the forefront of Esther’s decision to accept her. The poor child didn’t have a home other than that which Esther had created. Many schools would have taken the money and neglected a base-born stray – even one whose parents held such high rank, judging by the hint she had been given when the terms of Isabella’s stay were explained – but Esther couldn’t inflict any censure on the youngster. Isabella would not suffer because of her parents’ actions. Now Esther’s respectability and good name would be at risk because of her decision.
No one normally questioned where the young ladies who attended the school came from. They were known to be genteel girls from families who were gentlemen farmers, clergymen and doctors, so everyone made the presumption that all the girls were respectable.
Not the supposed illegitimate offspring of a brother to the Prince Regent and future king.
She gritted her teeth. She was to be invaded, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. Isabella’s safety was at risk, and although Esther was angry, she couldn’t ignore the threat and put any of her girls or staff in danger.
A gentle knock on her study door brought her good friend and colleague Miss Lydia Bolton into the room. They had worked together almost from the first moment Esther had set up the school.
“Have you accepted the incursion yet?” Lydia smiled as she came in, careful to close the door behind her. Neither wished the other members of staff to hear their conversation.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be happy about it, but they say that removing Isabella will put her in more danger as well as upsetting her in the process. We know she would not deal well with the change.”
“She’s such a gentle little thing; she would be unsettled if she was taken away from us. She sees this as her home now,” Lydia agreed. “I still cannot believe it. Who could possibly wish to harm a child?”
“Someone with no moral compass. Although they would probably lay that accusation at Isabella’s mother and father. As if she hasn’t enough to contend with. People are prepared to target a child in order to cause harm to the monarchy. It’s disgraceful.”
“We are to have a guard day and night?”
“Yes. They are to live alongside us. Which will cause a few raised eyebrows at least.”
“Oh dear. What story are we to tell to explain their sudden appearance?”
“My brother and his friend are here to recuperate by the sea,” Esther said with derision. “As if two fashionable cavalry officers would travel all the way to Sidmouth when Brighton is virtually on their doorstep!”
“Though you are the best of sisters,” Lydia responded with a smile.
“I won’t be by the time they’ve been here for five minutes. They’ll be in no doubt about my feelings.”
“Be gracious, Esther. You never know what will be reported back to those in control of Isabella’s wellbeing. You can’t wish for her to be taken away in the long term, surely?”
Esther folded the letter, running her hand along the creases, before placing it in a drawer. That she closed the drawer firmly hinted at the turbulent feelings she was trying to contain. “No, not at all. And not because of the financial aspect of her being here. I care for that little girl, and she’s thrived since her arrival. I hope to produce a confident young woman by the time she leaves.”
Lydia laughed. “As she is one of the shyest creatures you could possibly meet, I think you might be aiming a little too high.”
“I have every faith in our nurturing abilities, my friend. That, and she is only ten years old. We have years left to encourage her to be more outgoing.”
“When do our visitors arrive? Or, should I say, your invalidish brother?” Lydia asked with amusement in her voice.
“Tomorrow. Isabella will continue to sleep on a truckle bed with my maid in my dressing room. I’ve put the officers in the two guest rooms either side of my chamber. I know without doubt they will need to be close to her, and they can sit in the sitting room next to my dressing room if they need to be on duty overnight. I’ve no idea how they intend to guard her. I hope life can go on with relative regularity.”
“I’m sure we shall deal with whatever we have to face.”
“I hope so.”
*
“This road is