The Seventh Suitor by Laura Matthews

Author:Laura Matthews [Matthews, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1979-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Kate spoke with her father about her meeting with the Earl and her interest in the school. He was rather puzzled by this enthusiasm on her part, but saw no harm in it. He himself had contributed to the school in the past on Winterton’s suggestion, but had never had any interest in seeing the place.

Thomas Single arrived promptly the next day at one, dressed in his usual quiet style, with an earnest face and twinkling eyes. Kate had instructed that he be shown into the back parlor. As they shook hands he remarked, “I hear Lord Winterton has interested you in one of his hobbies.”

“Is it one of his hobbies? He said you might be able to direct me if I tried to write some books for the children. Do you think I could? Would it be imposing on you to ask for your help?”

Kate seated herself at the fine, inlaid writing desk and had Thomas take a comfortable chair near her. He had the facility of looking at ease and ready to be of service at the same time. “Yes, I would not be surprised if you could write for the children. Lord Winterton has a knack for recognizing appropriate talents for the school.”

“I understand you were a teacher there and that you still take an interest in it. I cannot imagine where to start on such a project,” Kate admitted.

“I’ve been thinking about that since he mentioned it to me. You already have some knowledge of the workings of the countryside. Perhaps a simple tale on the life of a child on a farm—where he lives, what he eats, his observations on the changing of the seasons and the crops, the various jobs he does and sees his parents doing. Something like that.”

“Hm, yes, I should like to work on that. But most of the children are town-bred. Would it be more helpful to write something they would be familiar with?”

“We need that, to be sure. First, though, I would start with something you know best. Then you might work on the town life—again where a child lives and what his parents do, and a description of the work that is done in various shops—the confectioners, grocers, carpenters, basketmakers, drapers, chandlers.”

“I would need help with that, you know. I have not the first idea how a basket is made,” she admitted.

“Lord Winterton knows I like working on pursuits for the school and has allowed that I may spend several hours a week helping you. That is, if you should like that . . .” He looked at her inquiringly.

“I shall need your help if I am to do it. Tell me, Mr. Single, how simple should the texts be?”

Kate and Thomas Single spent the next hour considering various questions with regard to the writing, printing, and use of the books before he prepared to leave, promising to provide information she would need. Before he left he handed her a small leather purse with a grin and said, “Lord Winterton hoped this would be private enough for the return of your loan.

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