Page 41 of Highland Sword
“Well, I’m a family relation, of sorts, through marriage,” she replied, hoping she wouldn’t be pushed to further clarify the connection. “But it was on Searc’s recommendation that I was first encouraged to come to Barn Hill. You’re well known for your school’s excellent reputation, Mrs. Goddard.”
“Thank you, my dear. That’s lovely of you to say. In fact, I am quite proud of what we do here. Our teachers are the most dedicated of women.”
“Will you tell me a bit about them?”
“As you surely know, we have a number of nuns residing here, along with several widows and spinsters. So the lasses attending Barn Hill are fortunate in that they receive instruction from some very accomplished ladies.”
Morrigan recalled Aidan’s advice and smiled encouragingly at her host.
“We see the formation of character as our greatest goal. We teach each lass to develop a good and unselfish nature, and to remain cheerful in the face of adversity so that she can be a good wife and mother.”
Morrigan would have failed miserably. “And you teach them other topics, I assume.”
“Naturally! The domestic arts should be a basic part ofevery woman’s education. And then there is the instruction in both reading and writing in English and French, arithmetic, and we also provide music lessons—voice, the harp, and the pianoforte. Oh, I’ve left out drawing and painting, haven’t I?”
Finally.
“I’m so happy to hear this. A friend of mine recently relocated to Inverness. She has two daughters, aged five and seven.” Morrigan didn’t think Fiona would mind that she was using Catriona and Briana to seek information. “Both children are especially fond of sketching. So I am here to seek your advice about hiring a tutor for them. Do you know of anyone?”
She waited, hoping she’d said enough. She wasn’t disappointed. Mrs. Goddard’s gaze flitted to the tall windows.
“Does the tutor need to reside with the family?”
“That can be arranged, if need be, but it’s not essential.”
“And the compensation?”
“I’m certain if the right person could be found, a mutually satisfactory amount will be agreed upon.”
Morrigan watched as her hostess moved to the window. Putting on her spectacles, she peered out, looking for someone.
“I believe I have just the right person for your friend, Miss Drummond.”
Morrigan joined Mrs. Goddard at the window. “One of the ladies living here at Barn Hill?”
“Indeed. But she’s only here temporarily, until she can make other arrangements.”
“Can you tell me a bit more about this lady?”
“Madame Laborde. Scottish by birth, thankfully, but she married a Frenchman. She’s lived much of her life on the continent.”
“Widowed?”
Mrs. Goddard nodded. “Unfortunately, she was left in a precarious state financially due to the untimely death of her husband.”
“How long has she been with you?”
“She only arrived this past spring. Madame Laborde had been having quite a difficult time. She came to us after exhausting the hospitality of her husband’s family and all of their friends. She had no other place to go.”
“And she supports herself by teaching?”
“She does, but she’s also been receiving commissions for additional work.” Mrs. Goddard’s expression turned serious. “Perhaps I’m speaking out of turn, but I know she’s not happy here. Our quiet way of life is not what Madame Laborde has been accustomed to. She’s told me herself that she’s hoping for a chance or a means of earning enough money to return to France.”
And what better way of earning money than to work for the British Home Office. Morrigan imagined they would pay very well.
“She must be quite good. What kind of commissions has she received?”
Mrs. Goddard hesitated before answering. “She is quite talented at creating caricatures of people.”
