Chapter One
Lydia Townsend’s body was sitting at her desk, hunched over it in a way that would later make her muscles ache. Her mind, however, was fully immersed elsewhere. She hardly noticed each time she turned another page in the incredible book titledThe Benefits to the Nation of an Educated Populaceby Miss Bryony Brinton, as she had been captivated from the very first word.
Bryony was her dear friend, as well as her mentor. But it was not any special bias that made her devour the book as though it was a religious text. It was the content within that held her attention so steadfastly. She and Bryony shared a love of educating ignorant minds, and of learning all there was that could be learned in the world. But Bryony seemed far more adept at passing along the things she learned to others. The book Lydia held in her hands was proof enough of that.
And I say to you now that it is more important than ever that we do our best to educate the nation. Too long have many remained ignorant to subjects that could very well have saved people’s lives. Moreover, there are things that can be taught that would allow those of lower classes to expand their minds and their skill sets, and do better financially for themselves and their families.
We are doing those who are less fortunate a terrible disservice by not granting them the ability to improve upon themselves and their lives. We, as a society, have too long taught people that the station into which they are born is the station into which they must stay. Even those who are of higher classes are taught only as much as must be learnt to perform within that class. And anyone who tries to step outside his or her station, whether it be up or down, is criticised for such an attempt. I believe this is because of a lack of education, for all classes in this country.
Lydia sighed, smiling dreamily even as she read. She had read many books on education, and she had heard many varying opinions on the need for such education. And yet Bryony’s words seemed to resonate with her the most. The book focused on the benefits of education for the entire nation, and Lydia found Bryony’s arguments for the idea compelling, as well as well researched and properly articulated. Bryony’s book was truly a godsend to her, and she shivered with delight at the possibilities such a book could unlock, if only more people would take notice.
Lydia herself had long dreamed of opening her own school, and reading her friend’s book had only solidified her resolve. Lydia knew that it was irregular, and largely undesirable, for a young lady from a wealthy or noble family to have such aspirations. However, she had known from a young age that her passion was more important to her than social acceptance, or even marriage. If she never married, she would be happy. So long as she got to pursue her dreams of teaching those who wished to be further educated.
We must not shame those who are not as educated as we. We must help them to learn, encourage them to seek education, and praise them for the progress they make when they reach their goals. We do not all have to be responsible for teaching other souls. But it is our duty as human beings to guide the ignorant to the bounty of knowledge that those who teach can offer, and to support anyone who is willing to walk the path toward higher education.
Lydia smiled as she turned the page of the book. She completely agreed with her friend: it was important for society to help guide those with lesser education and opportunities to the people who wished to help them. And it was only right that those same people encouraged anyone who wanted to learn. Lydia knew that London high society frowned upon both those who were highly uneducated, and those who sought to learn outside what their class said they needed to know. Especially women, as she well knew. It was her love of education that had seen two seasons pass her without any suitors calling. And frankly, that was fine with her.
Bryony went on to detail some real-life examples of how lives could improve with more thorough education. She told the story of a man, who she only referred to as J., who was a mere street sweeper when Bryony first met him. She gave him a handful of shillings upon their first meeting and told him to meet her at Hyde Park the following day at the same time, as she wanted to help him further.
J. dutifully arrived at the park, and from then on, he was under Bryony’s tutorage. And after just one year, he had graduated from a street sweeper to a skilled farmer who specialized in growing and exporting potatoes, as well as breeding highly valued horses. He had tripled his salary within a year and tripled it yet again another year later. Lydia wiped a tear of joy from her eye as she finished reading the story. Without that education, that man might have ended up in the poorhouse, or the asylum. Now more than ever, Lydia was devoted to educating as many people as she could.
Lost in thought, Lydia didn't notice the time passing until a knock on her door interrupted her musings.
“Come in,” she called absently, placing her bookmark on the page where she left off.
A maid by the name of Susie entered, curtseying shyly to her.
“Lady Lydia,” she said. “Your father wishes to see you in his study. He is requesting that you come straightaway.”
Lydia's heart quickened. Her father rarely summoned her to his study, and she couldn't imagine what he wanted.
“Did he say why?” she asked, trying to seem unconcerned.
Susie shook her head.
“He did not,” she said. “He only asked that I come fetch you quickly.”
Lydia nodded, giving the maid a smile.
“Very well,” she said. “We shan’t keep Father waiting.”
Susie curtseyed again, leading Lydia out of her room. She followed the maid down the hallway, her mind racing with possibilities. Had something happened to her mother? Was her father unwell? The possibilities were endless, and none of them good. She tried to calm herself. It wouldn’t do to let her imagination run away with her. But it was difficult to not imagine bad scenarios when there was never any reason for her parents to specifically request her presence, outside of meals and social events.
When she entered the study, her father and mother were both seated. They both smiled at her, but she noticed that her mother’s eyes looked distant and thoughtful. Her father quickly straightened a bundle of parchments in front of him before bidding her to join them.
“Thank you for coming so quickly, my dear,” he said as she took a chair across from the sofa where they sat. She was instantly on edge. Never before had both of her parents wished to speak to her at once. She smiled softly, nodding.
“Of course, Father,” she said. “Is everything all right?”
Her mother offered her another small smile, but quickly averted her gaze. The earl, however, gave his daughter a proud smile.
“Everything is fine,” he said. “In fact, we have some marvellous news. The duke of Strawbridge has made an offer for your hand in marriage.”
Lydia's heart sank. Those were the last words she expected either of her parents to ever say to her. She had never cared much about marriage because she was so focused on her passion for teaching. But she had always thought that if she did marry, she wanted to do it for love and marry someone she respected and admired. Someone like James Tolland, who was the brother of her best friend, Mary. She didn’t know who the duke of Strawbridge was. She had never even heard of him. The idea of marrying a complete stranger was unimaginable.
“You would try to arrange a marriage for me without so much as consulting me first?” she asked, feeling wounded.
Her father gave her a puzzled look.
