Lady of Lincoln by Ann Barker Page B

a smile, ‘It’s not very far, and they will have a fine view of the cathedral, but they will have a very steep climb back up.’
    ‘Oh, splendid,’ Mrs Trimmer replied. ‘That will have the double advantage of occupying them and tiring them out.’
    ‘The boys, or the gentlemen?’ Emily said humorously. Then she blushed at her own temerity, for she hardly knew Mrs Trimmer and, as far as she could remember, had never before addressed a visitor in such a flippant way.
    Her new neighbour laughed. ‘I meant the boys, but you are quite right, of course. Gentlemen can also be a nuisance under one’s feet. I dare say you sometimes find it to be the case?’
    Emily gave a little gasp. She had never before presumed to think of her papa or her grandpapa in this kind of way. She could hardly take offence, for it was she who had first spoken presumptuously, and she found herself saying slowly, ‘I do not think that they mean to be so.’
    ‘No, I am sure they do not,’ Mrs Trimmer agreed. After a moment or two’s thought, she went on, ‘Speaking of the boys, I have not yet decided what to do about their education.’
    ‘Will you send them away to school?’ Emily asked curiously.
    ‘I had always thought that I would do so eventually, but I am now in two minds,’ the other woman admitted. ‘What kind of education is provided at the grammar school? Do you know anything about it? They are too young yet, of course, but I think that Alan intends to remain here in Lincoln, so I need to look ahead.’
    ‘I believe that it was very good at one time,’ Emily answered, ‘but I understand that people are not as satisfied with it as they were. One should not speak ill of the dead, I know, but the master who died a year ago held other livings and didn’t really give enough time to it. Perhaps this new century will bring an improvement. I am in no position to provide a personal recommendation , or a personal criticism. I had a governess, you see, and my brother Patrick went to Eton.’
    ‘Like Gareth,’ put in Mrs Trimmer. ‘I wonder whether they knew each other? Did your father not think highly of the local school?’
    ‘I don’t think that it was because Papa had a low opinion of the local school,’ Emily replied. ‘I think that he wanted my brother to gain a wider view of life than that provided within the city.’
    ‘He did not think that the same thing was necessary for you, evidently.’
    ‘No. No, he didn’t,’ Emily agreed after a short silence.
    ‘Well, I shall visit the school and see what I think,’ concluded Mrs Trimmer. ‘In the meantime, of course, they will need a governess.’
    ‘Do you teach them yourself at the moment?’ Emily asked her.
    Mrs Trimmer sighed. ‘Unfortunately at present I have no choice in the matter,’ she answered. ‘They did have a governess until we moved. She was called Miss Bright and she was an excellent person and both the boys liked her, but she got married just before we came to Lincoln. I am fending for myself at the moment, and Alan is very capable of taking them for some lessons, but it can only be a temporary arrangement. Can you think of anyone who might be prepared to teach them?’
    Emily thought for a moment. ‘There is no one whose name springs to mind,’ she admitted. ‘But I will let you know if I think of anyone.’
    After a brief silence, Aurelia said, ‘That was one subject that I wanted to consult you about. Now I have another, and since we are upon visiting and consulting terms, pray call me Aurelia; may I call you Emily?’
    ‘Yes of course,’ Emily replied, trying to think of another lady, apart from Nathalie, with whom she was on Christian-name terms.
    ‘There is a matter about which I need to glean information and you, as a lifetime resident of the Close, will probably be able to help me better than anyone.’
    ‘Of course I will, if I can,’ Emily answered, happy to be of service.
    ‘I am really hoping to find out from you if there are