“Lord Maudling did say Papa was in need. What did he mean?”
Mama examined the frayed hem on a magenta silk evening gown. “He has concerns of a business nature. Nothing for you to concern yourself with. You should have your head filled with thoughts of bridal clothes and your trousseau. I have so wanted to see you well settled. I blame my illness on your unsuccessful come-out.” Her worried eyes softened. “Please try to think more favorably on his lordship. He can offer you a graceful, worry-free life and raise your position in society. It’s surprising that he wants to marry you. I do believe he must love you, for he is above us in station.”
Ten years younger than Bella’s father, Mother was hardly old, but she seemed bowed, as if life had crushed her spirit. More lay behind her lined, worried face than the effects of her illness, Bella was sure.
She hugged her mother and left the bed. “I’m sure things will improve without Lord Maudling’s assistance.”
Her mother shook her head. “I wish I could agree with you.”
Once in the corridor, Bella hurried to her bedroom, her chest heaving. She shut the door and threw herself on the bed, giving way to tears. When she wiped her eyes with a shuddering breath, she was determined never to cry over this again.
***
After two long weeks where, thankfully, Maudling failed to appear, the family returned to the city. Bella was eager to visit Hartnoll House, but her father, having laid Lord Maudling’s absence at her door, was extremely short tempered. As soon as business called him away, Bella left the house with Mary on the pretense of returning Jane Eyre to the lending library. They walked to the main thoroughfare, where Bella hired a hansom cab.
Approaching Hartnoll House, she bent her head over her reticule, searching for coins to pay the jarvey.
Mary gasped. “My goodness! Just look at that.”
The building crawled with workmen. Some climbed over the roof while others painted the walls. Sounds of banging rang out from within.
Bella’s vision blurred, her eyes awash with tears. She put a shaky hand to her forehead as she and Mary hurried into the front hall smelling strongly of paint. The children crowded around, speaking all at once in their high, sweet voices. Lord Eaglestone had apparently come every day to bring them treats.
Every day. Bella marveled at it.
Mrs. Armitage, more composed than Bella had ever seen her, accompanied her on a tour of the house, pointing out the many changes. “Lord Eaglestone is a very decent man, Miss Lacey. He has taken a great interest in the children.”
Bella was speechless. The leaks in the roof had been mended and rotten ceilings replaced, now in the process of being painted. The cellar would never flood again. The rat holes had been plugged up.
“And there’s more.” Mrs. Armitage opened the old parlor door. “A schoolroom, Miss Lacey. And a new carpet!”
“I feel as if I’m dreaming.” Bella peered into the neat room. A wooden desk and chair sat at the head of the room, piled with slates and books on reading, writing, and arithmetic and the Bible. Beside the desk was a blackboard perched on an easel. Long benches stretched across the room, with a row of wooden stools.
“His lordship has employed a teacher,” Mrs. Armitage added with a good deal of satisfaction. “Mr. Fenchurch began lessons on Monday.”
Bella’s chest hitched. “I simply can’t believe it.”
The housekeeper was clearly enjoying herself. “Just as we hoped, Miss Lacey, his lordship feels the children should be taught skills to make their way in the world. Much of what they create—baskets and small items of carpentry, tatting, knitting and such like—will be sold and the money put toward the upkeep of Hartnoll House. Lord Eaglestone says that now that we have several more useable bedrooms we can take in more children.”
Her chest tight, Bella followed Mrs. Armitage out the back door into the yard, where Henry squatted in a freshly dug plot planted with vegetables. He grinned and raised a hand.
“Henry loves gardening. He can’t believe he’s allowed to dig in the dirt,” the housekeeper said with a laugh.
While away in Surrey, Bella had thought of little else but her venture with Eaglestone. Why hadn’t he written to consult with her? Did he not value her opinion? He’d never treated her like Maudling, who flatly discounted a woman’s judgment. In fact, Eaglestone was nothing like Maudling. He used his wealth to help others, not merely to make his own life comfortable. She bit her lip as conflicting emotions flooded through her. While she was eternally grateful to him for achieving something that was beyond her, she was disappointed not to have discussed these changes with him.