“Not legally,” she said. “But they lived as if they were.”
“Do you think someone would kill him because of that?”
“I hate to think so, but maybe. The situation was tolerated because folks were afraid of Samuel. He was a bit of a legend around here.”
My thoughts tripped over themselves as I processed this information. Had Samuel been killed because of his wife? If so, what about her and the children? This town was full of white men. Lord Barnes had indicated many were rough and uncouth. Back home, there were so many prejudices against Jews, Catholics, and anyone with dark skin, even though the North had fought for slaves to be free.
“I’m sorry this happened just as you’ve come,” Pamela said, interrupting my contemplations. “Lord Barnes has been talking about your arrival for weeks now. Our expectations are quite high that you’ll elevate our community. However, you’re not what we expected. We had you pictured as a little old lady like me.”
I flushed, guilty. “That’s my fault. I didn’t mention my age because I was afraid he would think me too young for such a big responsibility.”
She patted my hand. “You’ll be fine.”
Somehow her words didn’t match the worry in her eyes. Was there something more?
“Did Lord Barnes tell you about night school?” I asked.
“He did.”
Again I couldn’t decipher from her tone if this was a worry to her. “Do you think anyone will come?”
“I’m not certain.” Her gaze darted to the cross. “Please, Quinn, be careful. There’s darkness in our pretty town. Be diligent.”
My stomach fluttered with nerves. “I’ll do my best.”
“And you come by and see me any time, all right? I always have the kettle on and a jar of cookies.”
“Two of my favorite things,” I said.
A few minutes later, Lord Barnes and I walked from the church lot over to the schoolhouse. Someone had shoveled a walkway between the two, as well as the school’s porch. Lord Barnes fetched a ring of keys from his pocket and unlocked the doors, then stood aside for me to enter before him. My breath caught at the sight of the twenty wooden desks arranged in four rows. A shiny blackboard covered most of the front wall. The teacher’s desk was plain but sturdy with a hardbacked chair. In one corner, a potbellied stove would warm the room.
I wandered around the room, practically dancing with excitement. “Lord Barnes, it’s a dream come true. My very own classroom.”
“I’m pleased you’re pleased.” He smiled as he looked around the room. “Harley will come early in the morning and get the fire going so it’ll be warm by the time you arrive.”
“I’m grateful.” I knew most rural teachers had to do that themselves. I’d assumed it would be my duty.
I took a quick assessment of supplies. A stack of slates and textbooks were stored on a shelf next to the desk.
“The children will have to share books,” Lord Barnes said from behind me.
I turned to him. “I’ll make do.”
Lord Barnes pointed toward a coatrack. “For tomorrow, the students can hang their coats and scarves there when they come in unless it’s too cold for the stove to keep up. If the temperatures drop, I’d ask you to grant permission for them to wear their outer layers.”
I nodded. This seemed reasonable. “Do I have a roster of children?” I asked as I walked over to the desk.
“No, you’ll have to collect their names and ages as they arrive.”
“I cannot wait to meet them.” Tomorrow would be a day
for assessing abilities and combining them into learning groups. I had a feeling there would be an eclectic mix of ages and abilities.
He met my gaze before walking over to the set of windows that looked out to the schoolyard. “I’m afraid your time here is going to test your very soul, as it has mine.”
I came to stand beside him. His sadness seemed to emanate from his body. I absorbed it as I might a scent. This man and his family should mean nothing to me, but they lived inside me already.
Lord Barnes put his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Opening a school has been a dream of mine for a long time. Now, however, I wonder if it cost Samuel his life?”