The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 37
The Schoolmaster's Daughter by Suzan Lindsay Randle
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- 37. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 37
- 38. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 38
- 39. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 39
- 40. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 40
AS the appointed hour approached, Louisa pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and set off towards the bridge.
Just like the last time she was due to meet George there, she had to hurry. She needed to be home before nightfall and before she was missed, and George would have to go to the Drill Hall.
This time, though, he was still there waiting for her, in his Rifle Volunteer uniform with the glengarry hat that made him look so handsome.
Seeing her come into view, George started to move towards her. Louisa instinctively broke into a trot, and they clasped each other’s hands as they met on the hump of the bridge.
“Your letter said it was urgent.” George searched her face for clues. “Have you spoken to your father? Is it good news?”
She shook her head.
“It’s worse than you could possibly imagine.”
Breathlessly, she told him about the forced move to the new school in Kent.
George scowled.
“Who complained to the governors?” he demanded. “Do you think it’s the same person who wrote those threatening notes?”
“No, I’m sure it wasn’t, but I’ll explain how I know some other time. I haven’t asked Papa yet if we can walk out together. How could we, when we’ll soon be hundreds of miles apart?”
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked up at his face. Beneath his brows, his dark eyes looked back.
She felt as though George could see right into her soul. What Louisa saw reflected back was the same deep, desperate longing that she felt for him, the feeling that without him she would lose part of herself. Surely this must be love.
Evening shadows were starting to fall and the air around them felt chill.
“George, what are we to do?”
“I don’t know, my angel. I need time to think. But I’m not going to give you up without a fight.”
“Nor I you.”
He gathered her up into his arms and held her so tightly that she could feel his uniform buttons pressing against her chest.
She clung to him, with her fingers reaching up to the back of his neck. They kissed as though their lives depended on it.
When they eventually broke apart and caught their breath, George smiled.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to be together, even if I have to follow you all the way to Kent. But now we must hurry or we’ll both be in trouble.”
They walked quickly down the lane and turned onto the wide street, heading in the direction of the schoolhouse.
As the church clock struck a quarter past the hour, a small figure stepped out from the shadows ahead of them.
“My chaperone,” Louisa said, nodding towards Matilda. “Don’t worry, we can trust her to be discreet.
