“Henry,” Theodocia said happily as her son entered the large drawing room. “What brings you here?”
He greeted the women in the group. “I thought I would pay my respects to you and your club. As you have our new schoolmistress speaking and as a board guardian, I thought it proper to attend.”
“Of course, darling. You are most welcome,” she said, signaling the maid to bring him a cup of tea.
Audrey looked about her and realized that the women were now focused on Henry, who seemed to dazzle them all.
“He’s the most eligible bachelor in Norwich,” she heard one society matron whisper to anoth
er.
“In Norfolk most likely,” said the friend returned.
“He’s so handsome,” one younger woman said as she took a seat near Audrey.
Henry took a seat near the back as the ladies assembled. “Please don’t let me disturb your meeting.”
He didn’t acknowledge her so she returned to her notes. She read the words to herself, and when she felt certain she was ready, she looked up and saw Henry Ryland staring at her. She smiled politely at him, and he nodded in return.
Theodocia clapped her hands twice, and the room settled into silence. “Ladies, let’s come to order,” she told everyone. “Please take your seats.”
Theodocia took a center position and looked out among the chairs that were situated in rows in front of her. “I’m so pleased you could join us this evening for tea and sandwiches and a little bit of education. We have a special guest tonight, but before we begin, let’s go over some housekeeping items.”
Audrey looked over the small group of women that had come together that evening for the society matron’s club. There were a few young women, but the majority were Theodocia’s age or older. They were all dressed in silk, velvet, and satin, and their attire spoke of wealth and status.
As Henry’s mother, Theodocia enjoyed a certain status as well. Henry was a successful solicitor and a member of the Board of Guardians with property, so she also had a standing in the community. The women in the room were most certainly daughters, mothers, and wives of prominent men in the community.
She listened as they took care of club business and glanced at Henry. He was sipping his tea and paying attention to his mother as she spoke. Audrey quickly returned her attention to what was being said.
When the business concluded, Theodocia introduced her to the group. “As you are aware, we have a guest here today. Audrey Wakefield is the new schoolmistress at Bowthorpe. She comes from Kingsdown in Kent and attended Queen’s College. I am so pleased to welcome Audrey to our meeting. Please join me in a warm welcome.”
As Theodocia clapped, Audrey took her place in front of the women. “Thank you so much for inviting me to speak today, Mrs. Ryland. I’m afraid I’m used to speaking in front of children who don’t always stay on topic with their questions so I hope this evening will be enlightening for us all.”
She spoke about her life as a vicar’s daughter, her time at Queen’s College, and her subsequent move to Norwich as the schoolmistress for the workhouse. She mentioned her father’s death briefly and her excitement in joining the workhouse staff. When she completed her brief biography, she asked if the group had any questions for her.
“Remarkable story,” said the woman who had called the workhouse children dirty urchins from the gutter. “You were able to get the position of schoolmistress without experience?”
“Yes. Dr. Thomson, a family friend, was able to help secure it for me. He’s been a longtime family friend,” Audrey explained.
“Helpful to have such friends,” the woman said.
“Yes. Especially as my father had just died and the need was great,” Audrey said, hoping the mention of her father’s death would shut the woman down, and it did.
When Audrey finished answering the questions, she accepted the light applause before she took her seat. Once the meeting was over, she sighed with relief. She had never moved in such circles as these women, and as a vicar’s daughter, she had enjoyed a simple life in the country. The women here had wealth and their husband’s names for protection and prestige. Many had probably traveled the continent and perhaps even been presented to the queen. She felt slightly out of her depth and wasn’t at all certain that they were interested in her story except for the kind Theodocia.
Moving to the long table set with sandwiches and tea, she took another cup and drank it quickly. She had a slight headache. She was about to move into the foyer when she heard two voices speaking and stopped to listen.
“I’m only saying that it was quite generous of the board to allow her to work in the schoolroom with no experience, Henry,” a woman was saying. Audrey recognized the woman’s voice as the one who had called the children dirty urchins.
“I also put in a good word for her,” Henry said softly.
“Did you? Why would you do that? You hardly know her. Or do you?” the woman asked. “Perhaps there’s something between you and the schoolmistress.”
Audrey inhaled deeply at the insinuation. How dare that woman.
Henry scoffed. “I hardly know her, Nanette.”
“Then why help a young woman who you hardly know?”