To Walk in the Sun (Wiggons' School for Elegant Young Ladies - Book 1) (12 page)

* * *

Tess dismissed the girls and settled into the
chair behind Atwood’s desk. Her first history lesson outside of the
school had been a trial. Her students were too excited about the
room, the books and the strange gentleman who took them in to
concentrate on the Orient.
Well, in time they will become
comfortable with their surroundings.

At first it seemed odd to have their lessons
in here, but this is where the books were. And, she did teach
literature as well as history and she no longer had access to the
study materials from the school. The Orient had been the first
topic that occurred to her when she found the four volume set of
books on China.

She glanced up when there was a knock on the
door. “Yes?”

Wesley stepped in. “The modiste has
arrived.”

Tess stood and walked around the desk. “Thank
you. Where have you put her?”

“In your chamber, Miss Crawford.”

She stopped in her tracks. “That will not do,
Wesley. We cannot be on that floor during the day.”

Wesley rolled his eyes and crossed his arms
over his chest. “Lord Atwood will not be disturbed. It is the
largest room available for all of the material, and it is the most
private.”

Tess had to agree with him in regard to
privacy. She did not relish stripping down to her one, worn chemise
in the parlor.

Tess mounted the stairs and Wesley followed.
How very odd.

He continued to trail her down the hall and
into her room. Surely he didn’t plan on staying. Tess turned to
look at him and opened her mouth to speak.

He was looking around the room and not at
her. “Ah, I see the other young ladies have arrived as well.” He
stepped further into room. “Mrs. McGregor, I knew I could trust you
to bring the perfect colors.”

“How could I go wrong when you described
their coloring with such expertise?” Mrs. McGregor, the modiste
blushed.

“This yellow is perfect for Miss Weston.”
Wesley picked up the pale yellow cotton fabric and draped it across
Eliza’s shoulder. “Yes perfect. See how the shade brings out the
highlights in her auburn hair.”

Tess turned and looked around the room. Yes,
this was the room she had been assigned temporarily. The girls were
familiar. However, this must be some type of dream. No man she had
ever encountered would ever be so familiar with women’s fashions or
what color looked best on them.

“And this green, why, I couldn’t have chosen
a more perfect shade to compliment her eyes.”

Mrs. McGregor blushed deeper and smiled.
Eliza was torn between being thrilled at being the center of
attention, if the light in her eyes was any indication, and being
appalled at having a man drape material on her, if her rigid stance
meant anything.

Tess didn’t know what to say. Wesley wasn’t
doing anything inappropriate, just odd with the way he continued
around the room and chose fabric for Eliza. When he had finished,
Wesley crossed the room. Tess expected him to leave but instead, he
stopped in front of her. His hand came up to cradle his face while
his other supported his elbow. He cocked his head to the side and
studied her as if she were a painting.

“The silver, Mrs. McGregor.” He held out his
hand and the seamstress placed a luxurious silk into his hand.

“Oh, no. I have no need for such a fine
material.” Tess began to step away.

“Nonsense, Miss Crawford.” Wesley stopped her
with a hand on her arm. He placed the silk across her shoulder. “Oh
yes, this is perfect.” He turned to look at the seamstress.

“Just lovely. It will make a beautiful ball
gown.”

“No, you misunderstand. I have no need for a
ball gown. I teach school and only attend church on Sunday.”

Wesley turned straighter. “My dear, are you
saying you are not invited to the social functions in town?” He
appeared appalled at the idea.

“I am a teacher. I am not part of society.”
Tess smiled at him.

“Well that is just sad,” Wesley said and Tess
expected him to tsk. He took the silk, folded it gently then picked
up a bolt of dark blue. “Yes, this is lovely.”

“It is a bit bold, don’t you think?” Tess had
never worn anything so dark. Her clothing consisted of grays, pale
yellow, light pink or green.

“No, dear, it is perfect.”

Tess looked to Mrs. McGregor. She smiled and
nodded her head in agreement.

“Oh, Miss Crawford, that is lovely on you,”
Eliza gasped. “What other colors would you suggest, Wesley?” Eliza
ran forward to test different fabrics against Tess’ hair, eyes and
complexion.

Soon, the other girls were helping. They
laughed when an orange made her look green and then tested other
colors that would look lovely on a blond, but ghastly on Tess. Even
Wesley remained to enjoy the fun. It wasn’t as if any of them had
been stripped to be measured yet. All the while different materials
were put into piles for Eliza, or Tess to be discarded.

“May I ask what you are doing, on
this
floor, in the middle of the day?” Atwood roared.

All activity stopped and everyone turned to
the door that connected Atwoods’s room to hers.

“I believe I made myself quite clear that
this floor, especially this portion of the hall, closest to my
room, would have silence during the day.

Tess swallowed hard as she took in his stern
features, angry eyes. So different from the night before. This was
the gentleman she was familiar with. At least he was dressed. How
horrible would it be if he appeared as he had yesterday, wearing
only a robe.

“I apologize. I know we should have tried to
be quieter.”

“What is going on in here?” He scanned the
room. It must look like a complete disaster with material of every
color possible spread out around the room. “Couldn’t this have been
done somewhere else?” His focus landed on Wesley.

“Sir, I am the one who suggested this
room.”

Atwood scowled at him.

Tess looked over at the girls, hoping they
remained quiet or were not too intimidated by Atwood’s presence.
Instead of cowering, as she anticipated, Eliza was straining to
look past Lord Atwood and into his room. What did she hope to
discover? She would have to keep an eye on the girl. Any of them
having an interest in Lord Atwood’s bedchamber was extremely
dangerous.

“It was the most appropriate for the size we
needed,” Wesley attempted to explain.

Atwood crossed his arms over his chest, his
feet braced apart. A stance Tess suspected a captain would take on
his ship. “How long?”

Tess looked back at Wesley. “It should not be
much longer. Mrs. McGregor only needs to measure the young women
and then they will be gone.”

Atwood walked to the bed and fingered the
silver silk then looked over at Tess. “I would listen to all of
Wesley’s suggestions. Veronica never purchased anything without his
approval.” He turned abruptly and walked back to the door. “See
that this task is completed soon,” Atwood barked before he closed
the door none too gently.

“Who is Veronica?” Eliza whispered to one of
the other girls.

“Lord Atwood’s dearly departed wife,” Mrs.
McGregor answered.

Wesley turned to the ladies and clapped his
hands. “Chop, chop. We’ve not much time.” He turned to the
seamstress. “I will return to help you with the material when you
are done, Mrs. McGregor.” With that he quit the room and closed the
door behind him.

* * *

Vincent braced himself against the door. He
couldn’t believe he had been awakened, again,
by her
. He had
been ready to storm into the chamber but luckily heard the students
giggle before he brought embarrassment to them all by appearing in
only a robe. He took a few moments to toss on his britches and
shirt.

The sight he encountered stopped him short.
Material and females everywhere, with the exception of Wesley, who
was in his element. If it were possible for a man to be a modiste,
Wesley would own the most prestigious and popular shop in London.
Thank goodness it was unheard of because Vincent didn’t know what
he would do without his valet.

Vincent tossed of clothing and crawled back
into bed. If Wesley were determining Miss Crawford’s wardrobe, she
would look more beautiful than before. Of course, she had been
wearing the same repaired and stained dress for three days so
anything would be an improvement. But, Wesley had the ability to
transform. Vincent could not wait to see how Miss Crawford turned
out.

He tried to envision her in a dress made of
the raspberry satin he had seen draped across her shoulders. Reds
and bold pinks were the colors which best suited Miss Crawford.
However, they were also the most inappropriate colors if one was a
teacher. It was such a shame. He turned over and punched the
pillow.

“Would you kindly remove your clothing, Miss
Crawford,” Mrs. McGregor’s voice could be heard through the
door.

He did not hear the rustle of clothing, but
could envision it.

“Oh, Miss Crawford, why do you hide yourself
beneath such frumpy clothing?” Mrs. McGregor asked.

Vincent already had a very good idea what she
did hide, though he would like some clarification.

“I am a teacher. I am not on the marriage
mart.” Vincent heard Miss Crawford argue.

“That does not mean you need to hide yourself
either,” Mrs. McGregor scolded.

“Miss Crawford, you must get the silver
silk,” one of the girls insisted.

Vincent pulled the pillow over his head. If
they were not finished soon, he would never get the necessary
sleep.

“Miss Crawford, by the time I am finished,
you will not even recognize yourself.”

The girls giggled. Vincent couldn’t take it.
Once again he got out of bed and dressed. With pillow and blanket
in hand he strode out into his hallway. Wesley approached from the
end of the corridor.

“Lord Atwood?” His brow raised in
question.

“I will be in the cellar!” he yelled and
marched to the stairs.

. . . a nameless spell seemed to attach him
to her; even the shudder

which he felt in her presence, and which
would not permit him to touch her,

was not unmixed with pleasure, like that
thrilling awful emotion felt

when strains of sacred music float under the
vault of some temple;

he rather sought, therefore, than avoided
this feeling.

Wake Not the Dead

Johann Ludwig Tieck

Chapter 11

This was Tess’ favorite time of the day.
Lessons were done and dinner had yet to be served. It was when she
took tea with Claudia and Natalie. Today was no different, except
they opted to enjoy the terrace on this beautiful, unseasonably
warm autumn day. She settled back and sipped the tea and enjoyed
the changes around her. They were seated at the back of the house,
the same side where her chamber was located with the forest spread
out before them. A most beautiful sight indeed, with leaves of red,
gold, orange, and warm brown. The sky above was a beautiful rich
blue without a cloud in sight. On sun-filled days like this she
could forget there were troubles in the world or that she had
anything to fear.

All too soon those glorious leaves would
drop, dry to a dead brown and crumble, but today she could enjoy
their beauty.

“I’ve never known the girls to have so much
fun working out of doors,” Claudia intruded on her thoughts.

Tess turned to look at the students. They
were further out on the vast grounds picking up sticks and branches
and placing them where chopped wood and kindling had already been
stored. Laughter could be heard as they ran and played, yet the
work was being done. Thank goodness they were far enough away that
they could not be heard inside. If Lord Atwood was awakened one
more time, she feared they would be asked to leave.

“How does it feel to be wearing a new dress?”
Claudia asked.

Tess stretched her legs out in front of her
and admired the emerald green skirt. She couldn’t believe the dress
had been waiting for her when the lessons were completed for the
day.

Another dress also waited for her to wear
tomorrow, along with new bed clothing. “It feels wonderful,” she
sighed.

“How did the seamstress manage to complete
the dress so quickly? She only left a few hours ago.” Natalie
asked.

Tess grinned. “Can you believe Wesley guessed
at my measurements and gave them to Mrs. McGregor. All she needed
was to double check today. She simply had to hem the two and have
them delivered.”

“Remind me to consult Wesley next time I need
a new dress,” Claudia chuckled.

Natalie gasped. Tess and Claudia turned
toward her expectantly.

“I can’t believe I forgot to mention the
latest news.”

Claudia leaned forward. “What?” she asked
with anticipation.

“It appears Lady Atwood is back from the
dead,” Natalie announced.

Tess whipped her head to her friend.
Certainly she had not heard correctly. Claudia looked just as
perplexed, and Natalie grinned.

* * *

Vincent returned to his room, no longer able
to sleep on the uncomfortable lounge in the cellar. It had served
its purpose as originally intended, but a full night’s, or as it
were, day’s sleep, had not been the reason it had been placed
there. He stretched and removed his shirt. Dinner would not be for
hours yet and he was determined to slumber in his own comfortable
bed. At least this floor was blessedly silent now.

A breeze blew the curtains and he walked
toward the window to close it against the distant laughter he heard
coming from the western lawn. He stopped short when he heard Miss
Pritchard’s announcement. He leaned out the window to find the
three younger teachers taking tea. Though he should remove himself
and not eavesdrop on their conversation, he could not bring himself
to do so. Apparently his wife was back from the dead. He would
dearly love to know how that occurred.