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“All should be ready before Christmas, provided the weather holds fair,” she answered. “Once complete, we can begin accepting new students. Monsieur MacCallum predicts it being finished sometime near the first of the year.” By that time she’d know if this man was worthy to be brought into her confidence. It was unfeasible to think she could conceal the school’s secrets from him forever, but it would be nigh unto impossible once the new arrivals began to pour in.
He nodded. “I’ll await your message before leaving this evening, then.”
The distant peal of the school’s bell saved her from the awkward necessity of dismissing him. “I should have it ready before lunch.”
But she didn’t. During the office hour just before lunch, she had a visitor. Lady Dibley had decided between the two candidates presented to her the week prior, and had sent her housekeeper around to pick up Miss Coralline. That she’d done so without sending more advance notice was somewhat irksome, but Jacqueline couldn’t decline the opportunity to place one of her girls.
She fetched Coralline from class herself and was able to provide only a brief explanation to her comrades. Jacqueline would’ve liked to host a small farewell party preceding the departure, as was customary, but there was time only for hasty good-byes and hugs from a few of Coralline’s closest friends.
Jacqueline refrained from muttering an oath as she quickly packed a care-basket to accompany Coralline. In went apples and a small fruitcake from Agnes, a new shawl from Mrs. Coburn, gloves from Mrs. Wicklen, and some pretty hairpins from Mrs. Orson. Mrs. Sloane had contributed a porcelain candlestick holder and candle, Mrs. Blake had given her three embroidered handkerchiefs, and Jacqueline added a small packet of stationery, a bottle of ink, and a new goose quill. With t
hese items, she tucked Coralline’s favorite book of poems with an inscription in the front: Avoir la foi, et n’oubliez pas que vous êtes aimé.–Mme. Trouvère
Covering the contents with a plain square of linen, she made her way to Coralline’s room, where she found the girl saying a tearful good-bye to her closest friend, Suzette—who, to Jacqueline’s surprise, appeared relieved not to be the one leaving.
She cleared her throat to alert them to her presence. “Suzette, you will please go to my classroom and explain that I will be a few minutes late. Coralline, are you ready?” At her nod, Jacqueline smiled. “Then come with me.”
Coralline departed for her new and hopefully happy life, and Jacqueline found herself caught up in the day’s progress without a chance to do much more than catch her breath.
Though all the girls knew their ultimate goal was to find suitable employment in the outside world, it was nevertheless a momentous and somewhat scary event when one of their number left. Jacqueline allayed their fears as best she could and tried to keep the children busy to take their minds off Coralline’s absence.
By the day’s end, she was emotionally exhausted and ready for some peace and solitude. Declining to join the others for the evening meal, she instead informed the kitchen she would dine in her office while answering correspondence. When she later opened her door in response to a quiet knock, however, she found herself face-to-face not with one of the kitchen maids bearing a tray, but Mr. Woodson.
“Forgive me for intruding,” he said with an apologetic smile that made her pulse stutter for a moment, “but I wondered whether you might have forgotten the letter we discussed earlier today?”
Her cheeks heated with mortification. “Ah, mon Dieu! Indeed, I did. Your pardon, please.” She cast about, at a loss as to what to say. The truth wouldn’t hurt in this instance. “One of my students—Coralline—left today. I’m afraid it has thrown me into disarray.”
He frowned. “Left?”
“For a position, yes. She and Suzette were recently interviewed. Coralline was chosen and sent for this afternoon.”
“Where has she gone?”
“She is now Lady Dibley’s personal maid,” she replied, still annoyed with the woman’s lack of courtesy. “After the interview, Lady Dibley requested a fortnight to consider whether to hire one of my girls or further train the under-maid temporarily seeing to her needs. Today, without giving us any advance notice, her housekeeper came to fetch Coralline, saying her services were required at once. The girl who’d been attending Lady Dibley was apparently caught stealing this morning and dismissed.”
“Oh, I see.”
Jacqueline let out a weary sigh. “Unfortunately, a change like this is almost always accompanied by some emotional disruption among the students. They spend a great deal of time together here and form strong bonds. It’s hard for them to say good-bye, especially in such haste. Since Coralline’s departure, I’ve been preoccupied with counseling several of her closer friends. She will be greatly missed.”
“Indeed. She was a bright pupil. I’m sure she’ll do well.”
“As am I,” she answered, taking a deep breath. “Now, let me get that list ready for you to take to Mr. Sharpton.” Setting nib to paper, she quickly listed the books she wanted and added a brief note at the bottom thanking the bookseller for his kindness. Sprinkling it with sand, she laid it aside to let it dry. Nervous with Woodson sitting there, she began to tidy her workspace.
“Now I know why the girls were so subdued this afternoon,” murmured her guest, breaking the silence. “Especially Miss Bagley, whom I can only imagine must have felt both the loss of her friend as well as disappointment over herself not having been selected.”
“She was not disappointed.”
His brows rose. “Oh?”
“She was relieved.” Keeping her hands busy stacking parchment, she went on. “She confessed her reluctance to go this afternoon.”
“She’s afraid of the outside world?”
“No. She fears leaving behind her young friend, Miss Fairfield. When Janet first arrived Suzette came to her defense when Janet was singled out by another young lady who was less than welcoming. The pair subsequently became inseparable. Before she came here, Suzette lost a younger sister. In her heart, Janet has taken her place. She feels a powerful need to protect the child.”
“What will you do when it’s her time to leave? Can you place them together somewhere?”
His empathetic suggestion went a long way toward easing her troubled mind concerning him. She shook her head. “It’s against policy, though I cannot prevent Suzette leaving her post and hiring on wherever Janet ends up or vice versa.”
