Chapter Fifteen

Their ship departed on the evening tide from Southend-on-Sea, so it made sense to stop in at Mr. Smith's London office, especially since his letter of congratulations had mentioned wishing to discuss their ongoing working relationship.

Catherine brought a copy of her next patent to file, as well, and hoped that it was good news.

Mr. Smith greeted them warmly, offering tea as they settled into chairs. That was probably a good sign; he had been all business the first time she had visited, so setting aside extra time for social pleasantries meant that Mr. Smith did not think it a waste of valuable working hours. Kitty decided to appreciate the compliment. "Thank you for seeing us today, Mr. Smith."

He inclined his head, "The pleasure is truly mine. I had hoped to go over your first quarter's profits and discuss how you would like me to proceed on your behalf while you are on your wedding tour. Mr. Harding has expressed great satisfaction with your current partnership, and a willingness to continue on the same terms."

Mr. Smith handed her a statement, and Catherine's eyes felt as though they might fall out of her head at the numbers. "It was truly so successful? Then I am very happy to continue as we are."

She handed the paper to her new husband, and Sir Jasper's eyes also widened. "Well, you shall hardly have to worry about spending money on the tour! That was very well done, my dear."

Catherine drew the new patent out of her reticule. "While we are absent, would you look over this and see about filing it? I am happy to continue with Mr. Harding for production, unless you believe there is someone better suited. It does not do to have all of one's eggs in a single basket."

Mr. Smith very nearly smiled. "I will investigate and have some options ready for your review when you both return. Did you have any plans for the funds that you wished to implement, other than leaving them to accrue interest?"

Sir Jasper squeezed her hand. It was a matter they had discussed in the carriage. "My sister Mary is opening a Parish school with her new husband. I would like to create scholarship funds for students that she believes have the intelligence, but not the family means, for further education."

Something in Mr. Smith appeared to soften, at that, and Catherine wondered if he had fought his way up to establish himself, in a way that

many gentlemen did not have to. "That sounds a wonderful idea, Lady Longbottom. Had you decided upon the amounts?"

A Ladies' Seminary ran between twenty pounds per annum for a basic education, to around forty for an especially modern one. She and Mary had looked at advertisements, some years ago, when it became clear that Papa was losing interest in their education. Add in room and board, clothing and laundry, better not to rely on what the child's family might be able to contribute themselves, and some money for spending... "Sixty pounds per annum, per pupil."

Mr. Smith made a note. "A student could manage on just fifty, if they are frugal."

Catherine agreed, bur frugality was not always easy. "Yes, but I would rather they be able to visit home occasionally, and have some extra funds to enjoy themselves or put aside, as well. Scholarship students will have struggles that their peers will not, there is no need to make them choose between clean clothes or the occasional outing."

Her husband touched her hand lightly. "It is a kind idea, and from the amounts you have shown us, quite affordable."

Mr. Smith did not argue further. "Have you thought about how many students you wish to support?"

Kitty would have wished to support every student who wanted to learn, but she had better limit herself. "I believe we will start with just two, one girl and one boy. My funds from the partnership with Mr. Harding will serve as the principal. Next year, we shall see about the possibility of increasing the number of students."

***

Once he had handed her into the carriage, and boarded himself, Sir Jasper drew the curtains, eyeing the way she tapped her fingers against her leg. "No one is looking, if you wish to express yourself freely."

Kitty slumped back against the carriage seats, fanning herself. "Nearly four hundred pounds, from just the first quarter! I thought my invention would be useful, but I never dreamed...!"

What in the world was she to do with such amounts? Catherine had expected to live on the interest of her portion of her mother's fortune, perhaps sharing living expenses with her sisters, before Mama had told them the truth of their dowries. The Bennets were well-off, but not so well-off that they could afford to not pay attention to their accounts.

Jasper - it felt odd calling him that, after so long reminding herself to use his title - smiled at her gently. "I felt much the same when I became my cousin's heir. Who was I, to suddenly have a title and a fortune at my feet?"

It was so lovely to have someone who understood, instead of laughing and calling her silly for her fears. "However did you manage?"

He smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and bracing himself as the shape of the cobblestones changed, making the carriage jolt. "I forgave myself for having come into money that I did nothing to earn, and used it to better the lives of the people around me. If my brothers decide that sleigh-making is not for them, they will have the funds to establish themselves in whatever profession they desire."

Kitty felt her heartbeat become a little less rapid. "When our circle first spoke of scholarships, it was largely practical. Chloe's school will cost money to run, but we cannot simply give it to her. If we wish educated women to become less of a rare sighting, we cannot limit ourselves to the upper classes, where most only wish to know enough to marry well."

Not that there was anything wrong with wishing to marry well! But it was Lizzy's wit and honesty that won Mr. Darcy's heart - Mama had nearly fainted when her second daughter confessed to being courted - without ever having set foot in a school. Then there were those whose parents could never afford to send them to be educated. Papa had at least hired masters for whatever they wanted to learn.

How could she put such sentiment to words? "Lydia speaks of her maid's intelligence, and how it is a shame she never thought she could be anything more than a maid. How many great minds were never realised, for a quirk of fate that kept them from halls of learning?"

Her husband rested his head atop hers. "There is a factory in Scarborough that may have to shut down, because the owner refuses to provide the same opportunities that Bingley did for his workers, so they are leaving for greener pastures. You are doing a good thing, my love. Dwell on that, rather than on what you have not yet achieved."

Catherine leaned into his side, letting herself bask in the feeling of being loved and appreciated by someone who understood her. "Thank you."

***

Catherine had never actually seen the sea before, and the vastness of it all took her breath away.

She was sure she would appreciate it more when it didn't come with people shouting, the smell of dead fish, and the clamour of wagons.

The driver began to unload their trunks, setting them down near several others, ready to be loaded onto the Amphitrite [15] . A good choice of name, mythologically speaking. More people in travelling clothes huddled nearby, mostly women and children, and a handful of men.

Finally, a weathered-looking man appeared, and introduced himself as Mr. Harper, the first mate, beckoning them on-board. The other passengers were directed to "steerage", but Sir Jasper and Lady Longbottom were escorted to a private cabin. "I'm afraid there's not much in the way of comforts, Sir, but it's the best there is outside of the captain's cabin."

From the poorly-concealed worry on his face, Mr. Harper seemed to expect them to demand that the ship's Captain be evicted on their behalf. Catherine smiled at him. "I have never been on a ship before, but it seems quite lovely."

Mr. Harper relaxed a little, and then a little more when Jasper spoke. "I have been shipboard before, and am grateful for anything that is not a hammock. I spent half the night fearing I was about to be sent flying."

Mr. Harper chuckled in spite of himself. "Captain is busy getting ready to sail, but he's invited you to dine with him and the other officers tonight."

Her husband accepted for both of them, and Mr. Harper departed to go shout at some young boys who were clearly new to life on the sea, and had tangled some ropes. The cabin was small, but well-appointed, with a bed and a small desk and chairs, all firmly bolted to the floor. There was even a small closet that turned out to be a garderobe, built into the outer wall and emptying into the sea. Catherine was sure that it would be better than a chamber pot, with the constant movement of the ship.

Jasper eyed the bed. "I hope you do not mind sharing, but ships rarely have more than one private cabin, outside of the Captain's lodgings."

The sun was setting, and the ship began to move away from the port. "Lizzy said that she had a dreadful time learning to sleep alone, after Jane married, and it took me weeks to fall asleep by myself when Lydia was touring with the Bingleys. I find I prefer the company."

He smiled as she darted to the small cabin window, only tripping over her feet as the deck rolled beneath them once, and gazing out at the waves lit up by the setting sun. "I didn't know what to do with myself when I suddenly had my own room at university, either."

Catherine supposed that it would be best to stay out from under the sailors' feet until they were properly underway. "How long shall we be at sea?"

He was quiet for a moment, thinking. "About a week, depending on the winds and the weather. Then we have three weeks to travel the area, before we return well ahead of the autumn storms. I cannot wait for you to see it."

All four of her friends had gifted her a spare sketchbook, and insisted that she use them so that they might see her impressions of distant lands. There were remnants of the Nordic culture's influence on the British Isles, in places like York and Dublin, and Kitty had seen woodcuts, but seeing it for herself would be something else entirely.

She would never be so cruel as to keep such memories all to herself!

Perhaps they would be able to see the horses that she had first fallen in love with, before she had even been introduced to their master, or even bring more home with them.