Lord George is quite progressive when it comes to women and their education,” Hannah commented.
“Do you think he will offer for me?” Miss Olivia asked, turning her wide eyes towards her.
Katherine smiled at her exuberance. “You must be patient,” she advised. “These things can take time.”
“Not for me!” Miss Olivia exclaimed. “I want to marry Lord George and have him father my children.”
Amelia let out a sigh. “I believe we spoke about this before,” she said. “Those are thoughts you keep to yourself, at least for the time being.”
Miss Olivia dropped down onto the settee in an unladylike fashion. “I know, but I’m afraid I can’t stop my excitement. I have never had such fun taking tea before. “
Katherine moved to sit on the edge of her chair as she advised, “When Lord George comes to call, you must be mindful to avoid blurting out inappropriate thoughts.”
“I will,” Miss Olivia promised with a bob of her head. “I will let him work it out for himself that he wants to offer for me.”
“That will work, but be patient with him,” Amelia commented. “And if Lord George is not the one for you, do not fret. We will arrange for you to meet another potential suitor.”
“But I want Lord George,” Miss Olivia pouted.
The butler stepped into the drawing room and announced, “Miss Olivia’s coach has arrived and is waiting out front.”
Katherine rose from her chair. “Thank you, Cooper,” she said. “Will you inform the driver that we will be just one more moment?”
Cooper tipped his head. “As you wish, miss.”
Turning to face Miss Olivia, Katherine remarked, “I am quite pleased with your progress.”
“As am I,” Amelia stated. “When you first arrived, you blurted out everything that came into your head.”
Miss Olivia nodded. “That is true.”
“But now,” Amelia began, “you are carefully considering your words before you say them.”
“I have been following your advice and counting to ten when a thought comes to mind,” Miss Olivia confirmed, rising. “That gives me time to decide if I really want to say what I’m thinking out loud, or if I should keep it to myself.”
“Well done,” Hannah praised.
Katherine moved to embrace Miss Olivia. “Send word after Lord George comes to call, and we shall have you over for tea.”
“Are we not having any more lessons?” Miss Olivia asked, leaning back.
“I don’t believe you need any more,” Katherine replied honestly. “Do you?”
A thoughtful look came to Miss Olivia’s face. “I suppose not.”
“Besides, we are still determined to find you a love match,” Katherine remarked. “Whether it be Lord George or someone else. So, you shall see us quite often until that time.”
Miss Olivia smiled. “Good,” she responded. “I have just enjoyed our time together so immensely that I’m afraid I shall miss spending my days here.”
“You are always welcome in our home,” Amelia said, rising. “You don’t need a reason to come to call.”
“Thank you,” Miss Olivia said as she hesitantly headed towards the door. “I best not keep the driver waiting any longer.”
Katherine smiled. “We will be seeing you soon.”
After Miss Olivia departed from the room, Amelia came to stand next to Katherine and asked, “Do you suppose we were wise to stop having daily lessons with her?”
“I do,” Katherine replied. “We can’t coddle Miss Olivia forever.”
Hannah shifted in her chair towards them. “We taught Miss Olivia everything she needs to be successful.”
“I know, but I shall miss her,” Amelia remarked.
“She is still our client until she agrees to a courtship,” Katherine reminded them as she walked over to the writing desk. “After that, we shall see her because we will always remain friends.”
“I am hoping Lord George will fall desperately in love with Miss Olivia,” Amelia remarked.
“As am I,” Katherine said as she picked up a file from the desk and held it up. “Now we need to try to find a potential bride for Mr. Dunn.”
“I thought we settled on Miss Teresa for him?” Hannah inquired.
“That is what I thought, as well,” Amelia said. “Not only is she widely known as a bluestocking amongst the ton, but she is a pleasant enough young woman.”
Katherine bobbed her head. “I agree,” she replied, reaching for a quill. “I will send a letter asking Miss Teresa to join us for tea.”
“I just hope that she is a fan of dams,” Hannah joked.
“Rumor has it that she was caught trying to attend a lecture on engineering at Oxford,” Amelia shared.
“I heard that rumor, too.” Katherine said, picking up another file. “That leaves us with trying to