Chapter 8
Over the next year, Ms. Watkins more than proved her worth. For the duration of her pregnancy, she began a schedule for the Elizabeth and Jane. The morning was spent on reading and writing followed by piano. During afternoon lunch, all conversation had to be in French. As Mary would join them for lunch in the nursery, she started picked up the language. The afternoon they would work on sums and stiches. If the girls were well behaved they would be treated to a lesson on science. Ms. Watkins allowed the freedom to explore outside and never limited their behavior. She quickly became fiercely protective of her charges. When young Mary would sit at the piano and try to mimic her sisters, Ms. Watkins decided to start teaching her basic tunes. Several times, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet would find her bent over various books on science and philosophy in her evenings, studying so that she may impart her knowledge on her charges.
When she wasn't dedicated to the young misses, she helped Fanny plan out how they would start taking foundling in. As they discussed it will Hill and some of the servants, they found much agreement and willingness to move. Many has siblings whose children has been forced out on the street and others had been in that very same position. The old retirement cottages were cleaned and many updated. Much of the furniture from the current servants' quarters was moved. Two rooms were set aside for babes and toddlers. Two rooms were set aside for girls and two for boys. A small unused gathering room at the back of the house began renovations to become a small school room. The estate was blossoming under the care of its Master and Mistress. It was mid-fall when Fanny announce that she was with child again. The estate rejoiced, hoping for the much awaited heir.
Late in her pregnancy, Ms. Watkins approached Mr. and Mrs. Bennet after the children had been put to bed.
"Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet. If I may have a moment of your time?"
"Indeed ma'am. Is everything alright?" Mr. Bennet welcomed her to the seat next to Mrs. Bennet.
"Yes. There is a matter that I wish to discuss with you both about the school room and the young misses education."
"Nothing alarming I hope." Ms. Bennet was worried about her precious babies.
"No. In fact, it is nothing pressing, but I wished to bring it into your consideration. The young girls have really taken to science and sums. I can guide them for a while yet, but at some point a tutor would be necessary."
"We has suspected so ourselves. The problem will likely arise that no tutor would be willing to take on the education of a lady." Ms. Bennet knew the limitations of a woman's education.
"Yes. Well there is one or rather a couple."
"Indeed? Please to continue." Mr. Bennet was curious as to what the governess was referring to. A couple? He had never heard of such a thing. How could a couple be a tutor? If that was indeed what Ms. Watkins was referring to?
"I was briefly placed in a home with a young girl who needed a governess to fill the gap for a year and half after her previous governess left and before she left for finishing school. The family hired the husband as a tutor for his son the year before I had arrived. The husband is English and a brilliant scholar, though he is more gifted at the natural sciences and philosophy than in mathematics. He does however speak Latin and Greek. His wife is German born and is a gifted mathematician. They have had a hard time finding placement as many are unwilling to take on a couple. Those willing to take on both have seen their sons excel at Eton and Cambridge. I have kept up correspondence with the wife and she mentioned starting to look for a new placement at the end of the year." Ms. Watkins finished, holding her breath in fear of speaking out of place.
"An interesting proposition indeed. A little inconveniently timed. But perhaps may be the perfect solution. We shall take it under advisement."
"Thank you sir."
"No. I appreciate the fact that you have brought the topic to our attention. Ms. Watkins you are a valuable employee. Now, I believe you should be resting as you are about to go into confinement and I do not want the midwife hounding us for not taking proper care of you."
"Yes, ma'am. Have a good evening."
"Have a good evening Ms. Watkins." Fanny and Thomas bid the governess good night. This would be a conversation to consider.
Ms. Watkins ended up delivering a fine son shortly after the new year. The new foundlings were each given a few shillings and one new outfit. Fanny had worked out a deal with the local tailor for their extra fabric at a discount to start making clothes for the children. Each of the female foundlings were learning their stitches and basic household tasks, while the mean were out on the farm learning some of the basics before they would pick an apprenticeship. In the school room they were taught basic sums, reading, and writing. The foundling school gained much good will in the community (though primarily from local tenants and merchants). Many of the local gentry wondered why the Bennets would allow foundlings into their home.
The Bennets found that life at Longbourn was wonderful. Edward wrote monthly accounts of the business which seems to be taking some time to start to implement necessary changes. But it appeared they would see four thousand this year in income from the business investment with Edward, all of which would be reinvested. Luffenhall returned over seven thousand pounds.
Late in April, Fanny delivered another daughter into the world. While disappointed it wasn't an heir, the estate rejoiced in another safe deliver. The new babe was named Catherine Anne Bennet. Catherine loved anything that was bright and colorful and her sisters delighted in making her giggle (for it was easily done). Mary attempted to show her the few songs and scales she could play on the piano. Katherine was adored in the nursery.
That summer, Mr. Bennet asked Ms. Watkins to write the couple she had mentioned and ask them to visit Longbourn for an interview, but not mention that their charges would be female. The invitation was quickly accepted and a date agreed upon. A month later, Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist arrived to meet the family. The interview proceeded, with qualifications and letters of recommendations promptly produced and inspected for the Mr. Gilchrist. Towards the end of the interview, Ms. Watkins brought Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary in. Startled, Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist quickly greeted and accepted the introduction.
"I do wish to mention one thing. Your charges will be my daughters. And it has been mentioned that Mrs. Gilchrist is a brilliant mathematician. I would wish her to also assist in their education." Mr. Bennet sat back to gauge the reactions. The couple blinked in surprise and looked at one another.
"You wish for both of us to teach your daughters what are typically male subjects?" Mr. Gilchrist was surprised. Usually families had no desire to see a woman performing mathematics and so Mrs. Gilchrist did not usually disclose her background. And not only did the family want his wife as well, but the family wanted the education for their daughters. It was more than unusual.
"Of course. Though the exact nature of their education should not be openly discussed." Mrs. Bennet added.
"Sorry sir, I need a moment to get my bearings."
"It isn't a problem, is it?"
"No. But how did you know about myself?" Mrs. Gilchrist finally answered.
"I am sorry Adalie, I mentioned it. The young girls are my charges and are fascinated by math and science and I cannot do it justice. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have been wonderful in supporting their daughters' interests." Ms. Watkins hoped her friend would understand.
"So they have already shown an interest?" Mrs. Gilchrist immediately sounded far more interested.
"Indeed. We waited to see if it would last before we started heavily dedicated time to it." Mr. Bennet answered.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist looked to one another. Mr. Gilchrist immediately knew his wife was thrilled to share her passion with a like-minded soul. Soon an offer of employment was accepted with a starting date towards the end of the summer when Mr. Gilchrist's current charge would start his schooling. Mrs. Gilchrist had briefly considered starting early but realized that there would be much to pack and prepare.
At the end of the summer, Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist quickly adapted to Longbourn's routine and soon delighted in the willingness to learn. Jane marveled at anything that moved and adored machines and what would later be known as physics. Elizabeth adored mathematics and philosophy. The two girls were an intellectual delight. The next year, they made plans to start introducing the topic to Mary who had already taken a shine to the piano.
As the year drew to a close, Mrs. Bennet would announce another pregnancy. Ten-year old Jane and eight-year old Elizabeth were rapidly turning into polished young ladies who could thus far hold a basic conversation in French, perform a couple short pieces on the pianoforte, write a letter, and embroider their names. In more unusual department, the pair were rapidly developing scientific minds that would prove a force in the future. Mr. Bennet had recently discussed the possibility of purchasing a pony for the girls to start learning to ride, a plan that was rapidly agreed to. The foundling school was quickly filling up. Mr. and Mrs. Gilchrist had helping Ms. Watkins occasionally with the running of the school.
Mr. Gardiner would report that some of the changes that had been implemented the previous year had started to show results. The income from the business would return five thousand pounds, again to be reinvested. Luffenhall had recently finished all major and minor renovations, and had an income of eight thousand pounds bringing Fanny's account up to eighteen thousand pounds. The Bennets knew that their income was enough to gain them a decent society entrance, but opted to remain unknown in the wilds of Hertfordshire, where they could protect their daughters from the cruelty of others like the deceased Mr. Bennet.
