Free Glorious Angel by Johanna Lindsey Page A

had begun that morning, “I know you told me yesterday that you never had time for schooling. Now that you no longer have to work, would you like to go to school?”
    She sighed regretfully. “I’m too old for school now.”
    “Nonsense,” Jacob returned with a smile. “You’re never too old to learn. And I didn’t mean a public school for children, my dear. I meant a private school for young women.”

    “But I can’t even write my name.”
    “I will arrange for you to have a special tutor to teach you all the basics, and then you can go to classes with the other girls. The choice is entirely yours, of course. I’m not saying you have to go.”
    “But I’d love to go,” she said quickly. “I’ve always wondered what folks found so interestin’ in books.”
    “You can find that out for yourself now. And when you come home, you might like to help me with my ledgers.”
    “Oh, I’d love to help you any way I can, Mr.— Jacob.”
    “Good. Now we have to decide on the school. There are many to choose from, here and up North. There is a fine school in Massachusetts. One of the teachers there, Naomi Barkley, was a very good friend of your mother’s. In fact, your mother attended that school when she was your age.”
    “My mother went to a northern school?”
    “Yes. Massachusetts was her home until she came to Alabama and married your father.”
    Angela was dumbfounded. “I didn’t know—I mean, Pa never told me. I always thought she was born here. How do you know this?”
    Jacob hesitated before answering carefully, “I used to live in Massachusetts myself. I still have business interests there. My father was acquainted with Charissa’s parents. They were well-to-do before the Depression of 1837. Theydied after that, and left your mother penniless. Charissa became a governess for a while, and then she came here.”
    “Why did she come here?”
    “Well, I don’t…When you are older, perhaps you will be able to understand.”
    He knew the reasons, but he didn’t want to tell her. And she couldn’t press him for answers. She just couldn’t. But she wanted to know.
    “Now, about the school,” Jacob continued. “I am of the opinion that northern schools are the best. Both my sons went to school in the North. But you have a choice. I could send you to Europe, but I thought you might like to see your mother’s home.”
    “Yes, I would!” Angela said with excitement. “The school in Massachusetts is my choice.”
    “You don’t have a dislike for the North, then?”
    “No. Bradford—I mean, your older son—fought for the North. I have nothing against Northerners.”
    Jacob was frowning at her now.
    “How did you know Bradford fought for the Union?”
    Angela paled. How could she have let that slip?
    “I—I—” She couldn’t think of an explanation.
    Jacob saw how upset she was and quickly smiled to put her at ease. “It’s all right, Angela. I was just surprised that you knew. It doesn’t matter anymore who knows, now that the North has won.” He dismissed the subject. “You will have toleave in about ten days, Angela, and that doesn’t give us much time. We will go to the city today to have you fitted for clothes. I’m told seventeen dresses should be adequate for the school year. There isn’t enough time to have that many made for you here, and the North will feature warmer materials anyway. So Miss Barkley, the woman I mentioned earlier, will help you complete your wardrobe once you are there.”
    Angela was shocked. “But I don’t need—”
    But he anticipated her objection. “I have asked that you let me think of you as a daughter, Angela,” he interrupted her softly. “I would do no less for Zachary’s wife, so please let me do as much for you. And if you are feeling shy about it, think of it as helping out some poor seamstress who needs the business.”
    So they were on their way to the city to choose dress styles and materials appropriate to a young lady of