Theodora

by Christina McKnight

  “Do call me Mrs. Emmeline or plain Emmeline, dear.” The woman corrected with a stark tone but her expression remained friendly.

  Georgie straightened her posture and offered a weak smile. “As you wish, Mrs. Emmeline, where might I get a warm bath and some rest?”

  “It is necessary to discover your talent’s before I assign you to a room.” The headmistress leaned toward Georgie and lowered her voice. “I have devised a fine method for ascertaining each of my girl’s strengths and weaknesses.”

  A sense of unease fanned through Georgie. Aside from being exhausted, she detested being on display, being tested and judged. “How might we do that?” She asked, her voice less confident than she would have liked.

  “Each girl is asked to present in three different departments; academics, art or music, and a physical sport. Based on their choices—and how well they do at their chosen talent—I select who will share a room with whom.”

  Georgie’s mind raced as she tried to deduct what talent’s she had in each of the areas. Father had provided her with the best tutors. She was well versed in all the areas a lady should be—dance, needlework, music, and poetry among other things. Fulton had seen to it that she received instruction in science, math, and history as well. Despite her well rounded tutelage her palms were sweating beneath her gloves at the idea of demonstrating her skill set.

  Mrs. Emmeline rose and came around the desk. “Are you ready, Lady Georgie?”

  She would not describe herself as ‘ready’, however, now seemed as good a time as any other to get it over with. “If I must,” she replied.

  The headmistress whipped her coal stained hands down the front of her dreary gray frock before nodding her head. “All of the girls present shortly after they arrive. You will do well, I am sure.”

  Georgie doubted her performance would go overly well. Her heart beat a crescendo in her chest as her nerves increased. Still, she preferred to have it over with as soon as possible. She nodded.

  “Wait here while I gather the girls in the music room for your first talent. Ms. Dires will come for you when all are seated.” Georgie’s nervousness must have been palpable because Mrs. Emmeline paused to add, “Do not fret, dear. Every girl at Mrs. Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality is called upon to present her first day here.” She turned and exited the room leaving Georgie alone.

  Georgie stared out the large glass pained window behind the headmistress’ desk and worked to calm her nerves. She had been extensively trained in music and could sing as well as play the harpsichord. If she could get her trifling body under control she could succeed without making a fool of herself. She drew in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. Her music instructor as well as her family always praised her singing ability. All would be well.

  A woman in a similar dress to Mrs. Emmeline, though obviously younger, came into the office after what seemed hours. Georgie stood and met her friendly gaze. “Mrs. Dires, I assume.”

  The woman grinned. “I am.” She offered a curtsy. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Georgie.”

  “Likewise,” Georgie returned the woman’s smile, though she felt mildly ill.

  “If you will follow me, the girls are ready for your demonstration.” She turned and began walking from the office.

  Georgie followed Mrs. Dires down a long hallway lit buy several sparkling chandlers that cast shadows down from the high ceiling. It was the same hall she had traversed upon her arrival at the school—the only hallway she had yet to see.

  Georgie’s breath caught for a heartbeat when she followed the woman through a large set of double doors into the crowded music room. Her gaze roamed across the clusters of girls seated in front of the raised dias to the row of instructors at the front of the room before settling on the stage area. There she noted a piano, harpsichord, harp-lute, dital harp, flute, table of bells, and a guitar—all position far enough apart to enable the entire audience an unobscured view of her.

  “Come take the stage, Lady Georgie,” Mrs. Emmeline called across the room.

  Georgie swallowed hard before moving to the front of the room. Singing would not be an option if she did not get her stage fright under control. Mayhap she should select an instrument instead. No. Her voice was her strong suite. She could do this. Georgie kept her focus on Mrs. Emmeline as she came to stand on the raised dias.

  “Students of Mrs. Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality, please welcome Lady Georgina Seton. Note that she prefers to be called Lady Georgie or Georgie.” The words flowed from her tounge smoothly as though she made a similar speech daily. “Lady Georgie will first demonstrate a musical talent—either the piano, harp, guitar, bells or vocals.” She moved her attention from the audience to Georgie. “Which will it be?”

  Georgie notched her chin refusing to let her discomfort rule her. “I will sing, Mrs. Emmeline.”

  The headmistress gave a nod then turned back to the audience. “After her vocal demonstration, she will present her academic talent, and lastly, her physical sport. We will all adjourn outdoors for her final demonstration. When everything is complete we will return to the dining hall for our nightly meal.”

  The words sent Georgie’s heart rate speeding. What would she do for her academic and sport? She had no time to prepare and even less of an idea as to what she should demonstrate. The last thing she wanted was to make a cake of herself in front of her peers.

  “Do you wish for a piano accompaniment, Lady Georgie?”

  The headmistress’ words broke through her muddled thoughts. “That would be lovely, Mrs. Emmeline.”

  “Very well.” The headmistress looked out at the row of instructors before waving her hand toward the stage.

  A woman with grey hair in a sever chignon stood and moved to the piano. “What piece do you require I play?” She asked.

  Georgie’s mind searched for the perfect song. Oft in the Stilly Night or Robin Adair, which would be better received? Or perhaps her father’s favorite, A Love’s Dream? Robin Adair was the shortest and would therefore get her off the stage the fastest, but A Love’s Dream allowed for a better display of her talent.

  “What will it be, dear?” Mrs. Emmeline prodded.

  “Oft in the Stilly Night.” Drat! Why had she blurted that? She’d not even been considering it past her initial thought.

  The room went silent as the piano music began. Georgie closed her eyes and focused on the words. The first lines left her a bit shaky but by mid song she thought her tone and pitch to be on par. She relaxed in measures as she belted out the song becoming more confident by the moment. When at last she sang the final line, she opened her eyes. Many of the girls were staring at her. Several others were whispering to one another or looking anywhere but at the dias.

  Georgie’s heart sank as she took in the room. It appeared her talent for vocals was not as good as she had been led to believe.

  Mrs. Emmeline began to clap and within a heartbeat the spectators—girls and instructors alike—joined in. The headmistress dropped her hands to her side and the room once more went silent. “Thank you for that display, Lady Georgie. Now for your academic talent.”

  Arithmetic had always come easy to Georgie. Her governess had made a game of multiplication with her and she was able to recite the times tables from one to twelve without error at an early age because of it. Surely she could get through them without embarrassing herself.

  “Many of our girls focus on history for their talent—Miss Alexandria has memorized every great battle in recorded history. Others find great interest in the sciences or literature, expounding on formulas or reciting lengthy poems.”

  One could have heard a pin drop in the room as Mrs. Emmeline spoke. Her tone and words even had Georgie somewhat memorized. Would her mathematics skills compare to these other girls talents?

  “I will give you a moment to prepare. Remember to speak loudly and clearly when you are ready.”

/>   Georgie drew in a steadying breath. “I should like to begin now, if you have no objection.”

  “The stage is yours, Lady Georgie.”

  “I will recite the multiplication tables through twelve’s” Georgie once again closed her eyes to the spectators. “One times one is one,” she began. Just as before her nerves calmed as she moved through the familiar territory of multiplication. She imagined herself reciting the tables to her governess as she pressed on. “Seven times nine is 63, seven times ten is seventy.”

  Several minutes passed as Georgie worked her way through the multiplication before reaching her final set. “Twelve times twelve is one hundred forty-four.” Being completely at ease for the first time since taking to the dias, she opened her eyes and smiled at the girls and instructors who now looked at her with appreciation. She may have made a hash of her musical talent but she’d conquered the academic demonstration with ease and grace.

  The room erupted in applause and Georgie gave curtsy, her smile still in place. All she had left to demonstrate was her sport. She could do this. Sporting had been a big part of her life on the ducal estate. Surely, Mrs. Emmeline’s school offered something she was familiar with.

  The room quieted and Mrs. Emmeline once again commanded everyone’s attention. As she spoke Georgie looked at the other girls-truly apprised them—for the first time since entering the room. They all appeared to be of a similar age to her and most were fashionably dressed. It seemed the girls overwhelmingly favored a more mature look with upswept hair or their tresses loose around the shoulders as she had seen so often while shopping in London. Georgie herself preferred the same styles. The comparison put her more at ease as she listened to the headmistress speak.

  “Let us all venture outside for Lady Georgie’s sport demonstration.” Everyone stood with haste, as if they wanted nothing more than go out of doors. “Will you require time to change into a riding habit, Lady Georgie?”

  Equestrian sports were a strong suite, but Georgie had no desire to mount an unfamiliar horse. The last thing she needed was to be tossed from the saddle. “That will not be necessary,” she replied.

  “As you wish.” She indicated the double doors that had been opened to reveal a grassy area with stations set up. Each one housed equipment for various outdoor sports. The sun dropped in the sky as Georgie followed the other girls outside.

  “There is also a lake if you would like to demonstrate a talent for rowing.” Mrs. Emmeline said.

  Georgie had never been a fan of lakes or ponds or even streams for that matter. She found the water to be stagnant and nasty creatures resided in such bodies of water. The risk of toppling in was far to great for her to ever venture onto them. “I would rather not.”

  “Very well.” The headmistress continued toward the sporting stations set up ahead of them.

  As Georgie walked between the five stations she took note of the teachers, along with the students, watching her, anticipation plain on their faces. She passed the first two stations without paying much attention to them. The third was set up for shuttlecock. A game she’d played at several garden parties and found quite fun. Still she did not feel it to be a particular talent of hers.

  The next held a row of guns—she had been shooting a few times but was admittedly a poor aim. Her father, bless him, had tried to no avail for an entire summer to improve her skill with marksmanship. Her spirits soared as she reached the final station. A row of pegs with archery bows hung in perfect order. Several yards away, a line of hay-stuffed targets with red and white circles painted on them stood, dotted with holes from use. Archery was a definite strong suite of hers. She had spent countless hours with Father plying the skill.

  Georgie moved to the bows and selected one from the pegs before retrieving an arrow. With the target in line and her stance in the proper position, she raised the bow then placed the arrow against the string. She pulled back and stared down the arrow at the red bull’s-eye on the hay-stuffed target. After a heartbeat, she released the arrow. It soared through the air toward the target. She held her breath as she watched the arrows movement waiting to see how well she had executed the shot.

  The spectators broke out in applause and cheers at the exact moment Georgie’s arrow entered the edge of the bull’s-eye. It was not exact center, but she was thrilled all the same as she turned to her classmates and teachers with a broad grin on her lips.

  A blonde haired girl approached her, coming to stand with one hand on her hip. “A lucky shot I suppose,” she said.

  The girl’s stance set Georgie back. She seemed to be angry, but why? “That was a typical shot for me. Are you an archer?”

  “I am the best archer here at Mrs. Emmeline’s.” The girl coked her hip slightly.

  “Perhaps we can practice together.” Georgie offered a slight smile. “My name is—”

  “I am aware of your name, Georgie. As for practicing together”—the girl dropped her hand from her hip and glanced at the target with Georgie’s arrow still protruding from the bull’s-eye—“I think that would be tolerable.”

  As tough as the girl was making herself out to be, Georgie saw a flicker of amusement beneath her meanness. Mayhap the two of them would become friends. The girl was likely demonstrating her superiority. Georgie had witnessed such behavior in the past—usually among the highest ranking peers. One might even expect her to act in such a way being a duke’s daughter, but she never saw the need nor had the desire. She would wager there was a lot more to this girl them her attitude.

  The blonde girl turned and took a few steps toward the still open double doors before stopping to look back at Georgie. “Do not simply stand there. It is time for the evening meal. Come along.”

  Georgie moved to join the girl. “Might I have your name?”

  “Oh, very well. I am Lady Adeline.” Her lips twitched as though she was suppressing a smile. “I suppose we had just as well become friendly as I am quite certain we will be roommates after the archery skill you demonstrated and the complete mess you made of your vocal presentation.”

  Adeline laughed and Georgie could not help but join in. “My singing did prove rather bad, I am afraid.”

  “It was hideous. But you redeemed yourself with the multiplication and archery. You will do just fine here at Mrs. Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality.”

  “Indeed. We shall all reach our full potential.” Both girls laughed as they entered the building, drawing the eyes of their classmates and stern looks of their teachers. In that moment Georgie sensed she and Adeline would become the best of friends.

  Other Books by Christina McKnight

  A Lady Forsaken Series

  Shunned No More, Book One

  Forgotten No More, Book Two

  Scorned Ever More, Book Three

  Christmas Ever More, Book Four

  Hidden No More, Book Five

  A Lady Forsaken Box Set (Books 1-5)

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  Standalone Novella

  The Siege of Lady Aloria, a de Wolfe Pack Novella

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  Craven House Series

  The Thief Steals Her Earl, Book One

  Coming Soon:

  The Mistress Enchants Her Marquis, Book Two

  The Madame Catches Her Duke, Book Three

  The Gambler Wagers Her Baron, Book Four

  * * *

  Lady Archer’s Creed Series

  Theodora by Christina McKnight

  Coming Soon:

  Georgina by Amanda Mariel

  Adeline by Christina McKnight

  Josephine by Amanda Mariel

  Connected By A Kiss Series

  A Kiss At Christmastide: Regency Novella (Book One)

  By Christina McKnight

  How To Kiss A Rogue: Regency Novella (Book Two)

  By Amanda Mariel

  A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Book Three)

  By Dawn Brower

  About the Author

  Ch
ristina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

  * * *

  Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books . . . don’t forget her books! Most days, she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

  Stay connected with Christina:

  @CMcKnightWriter

  ChristinaMcKnightWriter

  www.christinamcknight.com

  christina@christinamcknight.com

  Author’s Notes

  Thank you for reading Theodora, Lady Archer’s Creed (Book One).

  If you enjoyed Theodora, be sure to write a brief review at

  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.

  * * *

  I’d love to hear from you!

  You can contact me at:

  Christina@christinamcknight.com

  * * *

  Or write me at:

  P O Box 1017

  Patterson, CA 95363

  www.ChristinaMcKnight.com

  Check out my website for giveaways, book reviews, and information on my upcoming projects,

  or connect with me through social media at:

  Twitter: @CMcKnightWriter

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/christinamcknightwriter

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ChristinaMcKnight

  Sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/VP1rP

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  There are several people I’d like to thank for staying with me through the emotional journey of writing this book.