An Unconventional Education by Sydney Salier Copyright © 2020

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Love your reviews. I'm very happy that most of you like my characters.

Since you are interested – FF knows the approximate location of readers. I can get statistics about the number of people who read each of my stories each month from the various countries. I do not know individual locations, unless you make your location public on your profile.

Btw at the start of the story the girl's approximate ages are - Jane 11, Elizabeth 9, Mary 7, Kitty about 6 and Lydia 4.

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Lessons

The meeting between Mrs Taylor and the girls had gone well. The lady had a relaxed and friendly demeanour which had put the sisters at ease.

She enquired into their interests and assured them that she would help them improve. When Mrs Taylor showed the girls an example of her embroidery, even Elizabeth reluctantly agreed that it might be worth her effort to learn that skill to subtly enhance her dresses.

As a result, on Saturday, the carriage returned to Brook Hall with an extra passenger.

~~~oo00oo~~~

Mrs Taylor was astonished to be assigned a room on the family floor rather than the nursery. She was even more surprised to find that each of the girls had a room of her own across the hall from her.

Mrs Mortimer's explanation, 'why would I adopt the girls and then banish them to another part of the house, when I enjoy their company?' raised her employer in Mrs Taylor's estimation to even greater heights.

'I have had the end bedroom set up as a schoolroom since it has the best light,' Mrs Mortimer informed the governess.

The girls, who had accompanied the adults, immediately rushed of to inspect their new domain. They found the room set up with low tables and chairs as well as a small dining table and chairs suitable for adults.

Several bookcases had been moved into the room and contained paper, pencils, pens, ink, paints, slates, chalks, and sewing supplies, as well as some books. Stacked against a wall were easels and a chest, which on investigation revealed toys.

Mrs Mortimer who had caught up with the trio smiled indulgently. 'You cannot work all the time, you also need a chance to play.'

'If you need any other supplies, please let me know and I will arrange for them.'

Mrs Taylor looked around the bright room with a delighted smile. 'I believe that you have provided everything we will need for the moment. This is an excellent space for learning.'

'I can show you the music room, after you have refreshed yourself, Mrs Taylor,' offered Mary.

'You must come and see the library,' enthused Elizabeth.

'Is there anything you would like to show me, Kitty?' asked Mrs Taylor of the one girl who had remained silent.

'My pictures?' Kitty offered hesitatingly.

'I would be delighted to see everything.'

Within two weeks, Mrs Taylor was part of the family.

~~~oo00oo~~~

After luncheon one Monday, Mrs Mortimer asked the sisters, including Jane, to come outside, where she led them to the stables.

When they arrived, they found a groom holding a lovely small mare and a pony. Jackson, the stablemaster grinned at the delighted expression on the girls' faces. 'Do you think you could give these girls a bit of a workout?' he asked.

'These are for us?' Lizzy breathed in wonder. She approached the mare and stroked her head. She giggled when the horse gently whiffled her hair.

'Yes, I bought them for you but you will have to share. The mare is for you and Jane, and the pony for Mary and Kitty. They will have to grow a little more before they are ready for a horse. By which time I expect you will have outgrown Honey.' Mrs Mortimer indicated the mare.

The youngest girls had already claimed the pony, who seemed to enjoy their pats.

Mrs Mortimer noticed that Jane eyed the saddle on the mare dubiously. 'Do not fret, Jane. Honey is also trained to side saddle. I presume you would prefer to ride like a lady?'

Jane looked relieved. 'Yes, please. I would not wish to do anything to raise the ire of Mrs Bennet.'

'I understand, child. You shall be a most accomplished ladylike young lady.' Mrs Mortimer turned to Elizabeth. 'Lizzy, if you go to your room, you will find a riding habit suitable for riding astride. Mary, Kitty, there are outfits in your rooms as well.'

By the time Mrs Mortimer stopped speaking, Elizabeth was already racing back to the house. The younger girls followed immediately after.

'Jane, there is an outfit for you in the room along the hall next to Mary's.' Mrs Mortimer told Jane, and added conspiratorially, 'and there is absolutely no lace on it.'

Jane's eyes were suspiciously moist when she curtsied and said, 'thank you, Aunt Stephanie.'

'You are welcome. Now go and change.'

While the girls were gone, servants brought a small table and some garden chairs, and placed them just outside the paddock, giving Mrs Mortimer a good view of the lesson.

Elizabeth was of course the first one to return, wearing what appeared to be a dress, but was in actuality a split skirt, like extremely wide pantaloons.

Jackson boosted her into the saddle and adjusted the stirrups before instructing her in the proper posture. When she was comfortable, he started to lead the mare in a circle at a gentle walk, keeping up his instructions.

Lizzy's expression was ecstatic.

Within the week, she was riding out daily with a groom. Withing six months she graduated to a gelding, leaving the mare entirely for Jane's use.

On her twelfth birthday, she received the second greatest treasure of her life so far. A grey stallion whom she named Phoenix.

~~~oo00oo~~~

Mr Bennet became a weekly visitor at Brook Hall. Every Wednesday he accompanied Jane to her lessons.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Wednesday's lessons always featured history and literature… taught to his daughters by himself.

He had mixed success. Lizzy, as he knew, was a voracious reader and devoured any book he suggested. He was pleased that Mrs Mortimer's library exceeded his own, and that she was willing to let him borrow books he was not familiar with. Elizabeth was in heaven.

Mary discovered the philosophy section and over time proceeded to analyse and compare the contradictory texts. Discussing those discoveries gave them both great joy and even greater frustration until Mary burst out one day, 'people are not rational'.

Her father grinned at her and said, 'congratulations, Mary. You have discovered the greatest secret of mankind.'

Kitty was still too young to appreciate the history texts and much of the literature, but she did enjoy reading novels. Mr Bennet decided that at least since she was reading, it was a good start.

Jane turned out to be his biggest challenge until she had mastered the basics of French. Perusing the shelves with texts in French, she discovered Voltaire. She suddenly discovered an interest in politics and to his astonishment, a fascination with military strategy. Mrs Mortimer indulged her by acquiring a copy of the French translation of l'Art de la guerre by the French Jesuit Jean Joseph Marie Amiot.

It appealed to his sense of humour to sit in a fashionable drawing room and discuss such unlikely subjects as Greek philosophy or Napoleon's military strategy with his daughters while they were busily stitching some intricate embroidery.

It also gave him a much-needed respite from the increasingly vociferous demands for more money from his wife.

~~~oo00oo~~~

It was not long before Mrs Mortimer introduced the sisters to estate management by the simple expedient of taken one or more of the sisters along on her visits to tenants.

Often the younger girls would play with the tenant's children, while the adults discussed issues. After the visits, Mrs Mortimer would discuss what, if anything, needed to be done and why.

After one visit, Mary asked, 'when can I take a basket of food to Carol and Eddie?'

Since neither Mr or Mrs Grant had made any mention of money being tight, or that they were unable to feed the family, Mr Mortimer asked, 'why?'

'Because they are hungry,' was Mary's obvious answer.

'Their parents did not mention any problem, Mary. Did Carol and Eddie tell you why they are hungry?'

'Carol said that her father had been sick and Mr Jones had to come to help him. Now they have no money for food.'

'I thought Mr Grant looked unwell. But I guess he is too proud or stubborn to ask for help.'

'That is what Carol said her mother said.'

'In that case, since you found out about the problem, would you like to arrange for a basket of food with Mrs Kirby and then take it out to your friends?'

'May I go there on Sophia?' Mary asked excitedly.

Mrs Mortimer laughed at the enthusiasm displayed by the young girl. 'Yes, you may take the pony, but a groom must accompany you.'

Mary threw her arms around Mrs Mortimer. 'Thank you, Mama. I told Carol that you would fix it.'

'I did not fix it. You did. And I am very proud of you.'

~~~oo00oo~~~

Once Mary and Kitty reached the limit of what Mrs Taylor could teach them about music and painting, Mrs Mortimer took them to London for a month of intensive instruction with masters in their subject.

Elizabeth, meanwhile received lessons at Angelo's Fencing Academy. She was such an enthusiastic student, she even impressed Henry Angelo, who mourned the fact that she was female, otherwise he could have let her try her skill against his other students.

While Elizabeth was disappointed that her teacher was the only man with whom she could practice, she was thrilled by the fact that he treated her seriously and made no special allowance for her sex.

The family and Mrs Taylor repeated this trip three times every year.

~~~oo00oo~~~

'En garde,' cried Miss Julia Martin. She was sparring with her newest student, Miss Elizabeth Mortimer, in the ballroom of Brook Hall.

Miss Martin considered herself exceedingly fortunate to have obtained the position as arms-mistress from Mrs Mortimer. While having once been a very pretty child, a case of smallpox had removed her chances of marriage. No man seemed to be interested in a woman with a badly scarred face. At least not without a substantial dowry.

While the situation of her family had allowed her the opportunity to learn the accomplishments needed to become a governess or a lady's companion, her appearance had worked against her in this area as well. Children were frightened by her scarred face and ladies wanted a pleasant faced companion.

Fortunately for her, a cousin had introduced her to Angelo's School of Fencing. There she had learned all that she could about fencing with a variety of weapons. Her cousin, who had served in the army, had also taught her about unarmed combat.

They both felt that while her looks made her ineligible for refined company, as the protector of a lady her scars would not be an issue, particularly once she changed to male clothing. Having an androgynous figure allowed her to successfully avoid notice.

For several years she had protected the daughters of the Duke of -, who was thrilled that the girls would have a guard who would not endanger their virtue. But since the last remaining daughter married recently, Miss Martin's services were no longer required.

Now she was teaching the oldest of Mrs Mortimer's daughters to improve her fencing skills.

Twelve year old Elizabeth was a natural with a blade. In Julia's opinion Mrs Mortimer and Angelo had done an excellent job to bring the girl to her current standard. Lizzy had excellent reflexes and was utterly fearless.

The lessons which they now focused on were designed to take the girl from a polite duelling style with a foil, to expand her ability with other weapons. Lizzy, who had blossomed in the three years under Mrs Mortimer's care and tutelage, took to those lessons like a duck to water.

But the lessons were not limited to bladework. Mrs Mortimer insisted that all her daughters should learn to defend themselves against unwanted advances. Mary and Kitty found that they quite enjoyed the rough and tumble of the exercise, but refused to touch the edged weapons.

While most gentlemen would behave with propriety, Mrs Mortimer knew that some men refused to take no for an answer. Unfortunately, in those situations society always put the blame on the women. Mr Mortimer was determined that her daughters should be safe from those libertines.

The girls had been shocked when they met Miss Martin. Not because of her scarred face, of which they had been informed beforehand, but because she wore breeches rather than dresses.

Elizabeth had immediately seen the advantage in the freedom of movement which breeches allowed and had requested permission to wear similar apparel.

Mrs Mortimer had countered the request. 'You may wear breeches for half of your lessons, but the rest of the time I expect you to wear dresses.' When Elizabeth had wanted to argue, she explained, 'if you ever need to use your skills in earnest, you will probably be wearing a dress. If you are not used to defend yourself while wearing a gown, you will lose.'

Elizabeth had seen the wisdom in the argument and now alternated between outfits

~~~oo00oo~~~

😊 I did my best…

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