Partridge and the Peartree Read Online Free PDF

Turning, he saw Amelia
walking toward them.
    "Good evening, Your Grace. I trust our lesson didn't
interfere with your evening prayers?" she asked as students and
parents made their way past them.
    "On the contrary, Lady Amelia. Observing your lesson
was the highlight of my evening. You have some eager young pupils.
How did you come to teach them?"
    "I happened to be here when one of the priests was
conducting a lesson. He was using ancient materials, text children
didn't understand. And he was horrid to them! Smacking their little
hands when they didn't form their letters correctly. I was
appalled, and was ready to go to the Cathedral Council, but decided
to speak to the instructor himself. The poor man was in over his
head! He was a Latin scholar and had no idea what to do with small
children who couldn't even name their letters. I volunteered to
help and started teaching them the next day."
    "How fortunate for them."
    "Thank you. I do what I can," she responded, a
becoming blush staining her cheeks. "It's not much, and we need
more books and materials. And it would be wonderful if we had a
place to meet that wasn't quite so dark. But for now the children
are at least learning to read. I believe a little education will
give them an opportunity for better jobs."
    "I would be happy to assist you."
    Her eyes opened wide. To be honest, his offer had
surprised him as much as it had her, but the smile lighting her
face made him glad he'd voiced it.
    "That would be wonderful, Your Grace. I'm sure the
boys would welcome a masculine figure such as you. So many of them
don't have a father figure in their lives, you know."
    "Er — I meant I'd be happy to sponsor your teaching.
I have a great many books in my personal library, and it would be a
privilege to supply the paper and pens."
    "Oh! Thank you for that, Your Grace." She bowed her
head and turned to gather her supplies, but as she packed her bag
Phillip couldn't stop the feeling that he would soon be helping her
with more than just the supplies.

Chapter Six
     
    It was a brisk December afternoon, and a light snow
during the night had put a freshness in the air. Now it was sunny,
and Amelia decided it was too nice to stay indoors. Despite the
cold, she donned her cloak and took one of her new books, settling
on a bench in the private garden behind her brother's home.
    She had just begun to read when a tiny fur ball
dashed across her line of vision and scampered up into the wild
pear tree growing next to her bench. It was Colette's newest
kitten, Sophie. Of course, once the little thing got up in the
tree, she didn't know what to do. Frightened, she howled for
help
    "Oh, you poor dear," Amelia crooned, setting down her
book. "Let me help you." She climbed onto the bench and reached up
toward the branch, but the kitten backed away from her and climbed
higher.
    "Come here, sweetheart. I won't hurt you," Amelia
cajoled. Standing on tiptoe, she stretched her arm farther, but she
still couldn't reach the kitten. Exasperated, she stepped up onto
the lowest branch, but the kitten was still out of reach. Worse
yet, the little creature kept backing farther away. Amelia took a
tentative step along the branch, and then another…
    And then found she couldn't move.
    The lace of her petticoat had tangled in the gnarled
branches of the tree, effectively pinning her in place. She
couldn't move her legs to go either way.
    "Lady Amelia Partridge? How ever did you get caught
in that pear tree?"
    "Are you all right, Lady Amelia?"
    Startled, she turned her gaze downward. The Duke of
Bartlett and his niece, Laurel, stood next to her bench, looking up
at her. Amelia was torn between relief at being rescued and chagrin
at being caught in such a predicament.
    "Good day, Your Grace. Please excuse my lack of
manners, but I seem unable to curtsey at this moment. Mademoiselle
Colette's kitten climbed the tree and was unable to get down, so I
came up here to rescue her. And yes, Laurel, I'm fine.