35. A resolution for Mrs Dodgson

After supper I sat with Emily Dodgson and I discussed my conversation with Dr Locksley.

"A school teacher, Your Grace?"

"The doctor approached me some days ago about a replacement for the current teacher. It struck me, that perhaps you could take it on? Stay in your house, if you wish. If that is uncomfortable, we can find somewhere else. There will be a living attached to the post." I mentioned a yearly amount.

"Added to that," I continued, "I hope that a yearly pension of fifty pounds for the rest of your life, will be sufficient reparation for the loss of the girls' father?"

Mrs Dodgson's eyebrows went up. "That would be ... er ... that would be quite acceptable. But what about the ... my situation?"

"There may be issues, I will not lie, if the full story ever emerges there will be whispers and the like. There is of course the court case against the Fellowes chap. But with my support and that of Dr Locksley, I feel we should have it all under control."

"Dr Locksley knows, Your Grace?"

"I do not know what it is that he knows but I think it is less of a matter to him than it might be. I am hoping that you will at least essay this, and perhaps you can bring some of your ideas about the education of girl children to our village."

"Your Grace?!" Emily sounded thrilled at this idea. "May I include my own daughters?"

"I did think about this," I said, "I still feel obligated over the death of Alfred. I remember that you said you hoped that they would go to a school, would you mind if I offered to pay for your daughters to attend a school in Buckingham?"

"There is no need, Your Grace, you have been beyond kind to us. They can attend the school here."

"I insist Mrs Dodgson, find a school which is acceptable and tell me."

"Thank you, Your Grace." The sense of gratitude in her eyes was obvious, but as Helena had observed there was also a sense of something more. "There must be some way that I can show how grateful I am, Your Grace?"

"Just your thanks are sufficient, Mrs Dodgson, there is no need for any more than that."

I felt the disappointment in her, but things were complicated as they were, without adding to the issues.