Free The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody by Isabella Hargreaves

considered way. “Well, we shall see if it is possible, as you are so keen to follow James. I will write to him immediately to make a request of his superiors in the Admiralty and his captain who may be able to assist. Being a Lieutenant must be worth something.”
    The rest of their dinner progressed in the usual chatter in and out of other languages. Jane watched her siblings closely, alert to the fears and sadness that she suspected underlay their appearance of normalcy. For now they seemed reconciled to their imminent new lives. In fact, Christopher looked joyous – a state of being he hadn’t shown since his father was taken ill.
    Next morning Jane and Anna gave their siblings their lesson and organised the household as usual. At eleven they ordered luncheon for noon and wrote out several prospectus to hand out, showing the subjects they would teach and the fees they had devised.
    In the early afternoon the sisters set out to call on Mrs Courtice in Cavendish Square. Although they were early arrivals they found the classically-inspired drawing room already occupied by Mrs Courtice talking with Lady Elizabeth Everslie. They were warmly welcomed by the pair who hugged them tightly and expressed their sincere condolences.
    Mrs Courtice looked frail to Jane but Lady Elizabeth appeared full of the bloom of youth. Jane couldn’t resist and asked how Dr Logan fared, although she had seen him within the last week. Elizabeth blushed self-consciously as she answered. “Dr Logan was in excellent health when I saw him last.”
    “And have you seen him recently Lady Elizabeth?” Jane asked.
    She hesitated before replying. “I saw him briefly yesterday.”
    Mrs Courtice watched with obvious amusement before interrupting. “So Jane, how are you and your family faring?”
    “As well as can be expected but we have had some bad news from Mr Pettigrew, our solicitor. Our father was unable to leave us enough money to live on.”
    “My goodness! What will you do Jane?”
    “We shall start our own day school - Miss Brody’s Academy for Young Ladies . We were hoping our friends would assist by recommending us to their acquaintances. Between Anna and I, we can cover a good curriculum of English, mathematics, history, geography, languages, music and art. If requested I could teach introductory Latin and Greek as well as the classics.”
    “Will you also teach fancy work and dancing?” asked Elizabeth. “Most parents of young ladies put great emphasis on those accomplishments.”
    “We certainly could teach those things but it would mean bringing in a dance instructor at extra cost. As for fancy work, neither Anna nor I are renowned for our needlework, although we are good plain seamstresses!”
    Elizabeth and Mrs Courtice laughed at Jane’s self-awareness.
    “Perhaps you would permit me to take the sewing classes as that seems to be my greatest accomplishment,” said Elizabeth.
    “You are so kind Lady Elizabeth, but we could not pay you.” Jane was surprised and grateful.
    “Do not even think of it. It will give me pleasure to do something useful for you.” Lady Elizabeth looked enthusiastic.
    “Do you have a list of potential parents to approach Jane?” asked Mrs Courtice.
    “Indeed I do.” She smiled. “And I hope you can assist us in our mission.”
    “Let me see who you have and I will add any additional ladies I can think of.”
    Jane retrieved the list from her reticule and passed it to her friend who read it carefully before walking to her secretaire to add some more names. Then she asked Jane and Anna for the details of their undertaking.
    “I will go out directly and start calling on those on your list whom I have marked. I will vouch for your characters and education and advise each lady that you are commencing next Monday. That will give you almost a week to organise your lesson plans and supplies. I think your fees are reasonable for what you can offer. I do so hope that you are successful.”
    “And I