Page 18 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Has he disappeared?” Charity was now intrigued enough to recover her faculties, somewhat.
“Hewasa big name, spoke often at salons and things when I was younger, during an earlier wave of bluestockings, but he has been silent for many years. And I for one would like to know what he’s been up to.” She sipped her coffee. “I hope he’s been practicing all those things he used to say with such power and emotion. I hope he’s been building schools and working for the poor and helping equal out some of our separation of wealth.”
Charity and Lord Lockhart exchanged a hopeful look.
“But I suspect he has not, else we would have heard of such an effort?”
“Who’s to say until we ask him, Your Grace.” Charity placed her fork on her plate. “We have just now been talking about schools. The poor. How can they rise above their misery without knowing how to read or calculate? Knowing those two things would surely be life altering.”
“Surely. If I were younger, those are the kinds of things I might become impassioned about. Consider all a person could do if he or she were allocated time and resources.”
“Your Grace. If we were to find a way to begin a school, could we count on your support?” Lord Lockhart asked with a smile, but his sincerity beamed out of him.
Charity was amazed at his boldness, the direct question and then even more so that the duchess nodded. “I would, depending on the efficacy of the venture. I would want to know all the details.”
“We shall express them as we have them. Your input would be gratefully welcomed also.”
“I shall do my best, naturally. I find, though, that my best contribution is simply my acceptance. My hosting the salons and participating in the talks.”
“Certainly. Your support has empowered so many more to brave censure and assist in all manner of causes.”
“And why should they have to brave censure? What a skewed society we live in that shames intelligence and decries assistance to the poor.”
Charity reached a hand over to cover the duchess’. “I shall remember your kindness forever.”
She waved the gratitude away, but Charity knew she was touched.
After breakfast, she and Lord Lockhart met in the front drawing room with paper and quills and began to consider all viable options. They would have something to present when they first mentioned the idea before their group of friends. Charity hoped that in some way, she could help the children, that she could also feed them. Surely they would have baskets of sustenance to offer. In all things, she wished to take away the pain and injustice she’d seen in the life of the one brave little girl running around the streets in the South of London.
Chapter 5
By the time the guests started to arrive, Andrew had at least some place to start with their plans to try and run a school for the poor of London. He laughed to himself.
He knew a few had sponsored schools in the villages close to their estates. Such a thing was not unheard of. But in London, with children from the poorest families? They might need to begin with a different group in a different location.
Louder than usual happy greetings sounded from the front door.
The Standish sisters had arrived. He grinned and made his way to witness the exuberance.
Arms and dresses and all manner of kisses in a great flurry filled the area in front of the door. Every sister, as radiant and beautiful as the next, but none so much as Charity. She usually kept her affection restrained, except when with her sisters. Watching the joy light up their faces was a beautiful sight indeed.
They turned to face him all at once and then the focus of their great joy in gathering had turned to him. “Lord Lockhart!” Kate approached with a curtsey. As he took her hand and then all the others in turn and bowed before them, his smile only grew.
“Our loyal man representative.” Lucy shook her head. “The others should be here.”
“Certainly. If all men could just be like our loyal Lord Lockhart.” June sighed.
“Oh stop. We mustn’t act as though he’s our token man.” Charity moved to stand beside him. “There are others, certainly.”
Charity placed her hand on his arm and the group moved into the parlor where chairs had been set.
“This is lovely.” Kate turned approvingly.
“Thank you. The duchess is all kindness and quite impassioned by the cause herself.”
They stood in a small group, partway into the room and Andrew listened while the sisters
caught up on each other’s lives.
