Edmund tugged on his cravat as he headed for his dressing room.
"Aren't you going to tell me about it?" Ellen went after him.
"Tell you about what?" His tone was cool and distant. "Isn't that enough, woman? I've already told you my entire life story. My family background of trouble and strife. Must you dig deeper and deeper until you've uncovered every shadow in my soul? It's not pretty." He tossed the cravat off in one motion and threw it on the table.
She winced. "I meant about your difficulties with the written word."
He turned to her, a look of open hostility on his face. "So the schoolmistress has noticed, has she?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Of course I would notice. There's no need to be defensive. I have taught quite a few students who have struggled with something similar. "
"I'm not struggling," he said flatly.
"I have noticed that you exchange letters and that the E is written in reverse."
"And what are you going to do about it? Hit my fingers with a ruler? Spank me across my bottom for every spelling mistake? Stick my head in a chamber pot and force me to write 'I am a dunce-head' a hundred times, and for each time I get it wrong, give me an extra ten lashes across the bottom, not just from the teacher but from each of your mates?" His eyes burned.
"Goodness, no!" Ellen's eyes widened. "Edmund! Is that what they did to you?"
He pulled both hands through his carefully coiffed mane in one, two, three powerful movements. He made no response and stalked to the window, where he looked out.
"How long have you had these problems?" She continued to probe. "How old were you?"
No answer.
She took a deep breath. "Can you ... can you read at all?"
He whirled around with an oath. "Would you stop pestering me with questions that are none of your business? I am not one of your unfortunate pupils."
"I was just wondering ... "
"No!" he roared, causing her to recoil in fright. "I cannot read! At least nothing that's longer than three words. I can't write, and I certainly can't spell for the life of me, and it's not for lack of trying. There must be something wrong with my brain, as my father tried to tell me day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute, ever since I left my mother's womb an unfortunate half hour before my brother, to everyone's regret. I cannot even remember something as simple as the ABCs. I was born an idiot, a simpleton and a fool, not worthy to bear the name of Tewkbury. There, does that satisfy your curiosity?"
He'd raised his voice at her as if it was all her fault.
Ellen had gone pale, but she held her ground, folding her shaking hands in front of her.
"I see," she replied. She would have said more, but he cut her off.
"No, you do not see. None of your kind does. All you are capable of is walloping hapless students who are unable to perform to a ridiculous standard, and when they cannot, you punish and mock them for life."
"This is an unfair statement and very untrue. I would never punish a child. A child with learning difficulties, and believe me there are many, just needs additional help and much patience. Look at Noni. He doesn't speak, but with time I am certain he will. I am very sorry that you weren't given kindness, time, and patience when you needed it most."
But she might as well have been talking to a piece of furniture.
"The governesses, headmistresses and tutors have been the bane of my life. They are a breed of people I despise with all my heart."
"How ironic that you should now find yourself married to one," Ellen replied sharply. "Even if it is only a fictional liaison. And we both must have imagined the other night."
"Indeed. It would have been better if it had not happened." His face was a mask.
Ellen's lips turned white.
"The only thing that makes this situation bearable is that it is a farce." Tewkbury tore off his waistcoat, pulling off a few buttons.
"You should have thought of that before you came up with this ridiculous proposal," Ellen pulled herself to her feet. "I cannot change who I am. I am proud to be a teacher." She turned on her heel and headed for the door.
He waved her away wearily. "Ring for my valet, will you?" he instructed her.
