Addison had forgotten how charismatic Chaswick was. Apparently, that, in addition to impertinence, must be a family trait.
As they’d been walking in the same direction, the baron matched his steps to Addison’s and the two carried on in quiet agreement.
“Met one of your sisters a few weeks ago,” Addison offered.
“And how is my sister, the marchioness?” Chaswick slid a questioning glance in Addison’s direction.
“Marchioness?” Why would Chaswick think he was discussing Greystone?
“Of Greystone.” Chaswick clarified. “I thought they’d have returned to Greystone Manor by now.”
For a fraction of a second, Addison’s heart dropped. But then he realized Chaswick was referring to the other sister—the one who’d taken full advantage of her opportunity to enter society.
“Oh, no. You misunderstand. I met Miss Jones while establishing my sister at Miss Primm’s. Your sisterisa teacher there, is she not?”
“Was.” Chaswick pounded his cane with more force than necessary onto the walk. “Until a fortnight ago. Apparently, a thousand-pound donation is insufficient to replace half a school of students.”
Addison halted and turned, startling Chaswick into stopping as well. “She’s no longer employed? What happened?”
“Mrs. Eunice Metcalf happened,” the baron all but growled. “The meddling blabbermouth decided my sister wasn’t proper enough to teach her frail-minded daughters. Suggested she was a bad influence and stirred up a handful of other parents into believing the same.”
“A bad influence?” Had someone, in fact, witnessed her hasty escape from the stairwell? Had word gotten out that he had not been trapped alone?
Damned busybody gossips. But… if that was the case, wouldn’t Chaswick have challenged him already?
Addison certainly would have if the tables had been turned.Unless he did not know the identity of the gentleman she’d been trapped with.
He scratched his chin. Would that not have been common knowledge? Perhaps he didn’t understand the machinations of women’s minds as well as he thought he did.
“It’s not as though Collette had any control over it,” Chaswick replied. Control over the situation in the stairwell?
“Dashed shame.” Addison murmured. A fortnight. That would mean she’d been sacked little over a week after he, himself had taken his leave.
“Of course, she’s innocent in all of it. But that Metcalf woman didn’t stop there. No, she insisted her primary concern was Collette’s lack of teaching experience—implied that she wasn’t capable of controlling her classroom. After only one week. By God, Bedwell, my sisters have not had an easy time of things, as I’m sure you’ll understand. But it wasn’t as though Collette had any designs on raising her social status. Trust me, if that Mrs. Metcalf deigns to show her face in London next spring, she’ll find her salver tray surprisingly empty.”
Chaswick exhaled a disgusted huff as he literally marched along the street beside him, Zeus and Hera dancing along in excitement.
Collette. French, meaningPeople of victory.The name was a strong one but also feminine. It suited her.
“Nothing could have hurt my sister more.” Chaswick’s words pricked Addison’s conscience—even if he had not been the reason for her dismissal. But why else would she have been considered a bad influence?
“What will she do now?” But of course, she’d been innocent. If she hadn’t been, she would have locked onto his proposal like a dog with a bone.
Even if she had been guilty of setting the trap, that wouldn’t have altered the fact that he’d taken advantage of her.
Addison ought to have remained in the area for a few days to assure himself of her well-being before he left. At the very least, he ought to have provided his directions so she could contact him if necessary. Or if she’d changed her mind.
But her refusal had been adamant.
“She’s back with us at Byrd House for now. Bethany—my baroness—has had some success consoling her. If anyone understands the weight of scandal, let me assure you, my wife does. Collette insists she still wants to teach and I’ve an offer of another post for her to consider, but I’m none too confident that it’s the sort of position she wants. Metcalf’s wagging tongue has all but assured no one within a hundred-mile radius wants to take her on.Blasted woman.”
And now, Miss Collette Jones had one less choice. Addison’s initial inclination was to accompany Chaswick back to Byrd House—offer for her again. It was, in fact, the honorable thing to do. And he was an honorable gentleman, above all else.
But she had laughed outright at his first proposal, and then run away and hidden when Miss Shipley discovered the stairwell was locked.
She’d described his kiss aspleasant.
She had not even entertained his offer nor had the courage to look him in the eye when she’d given him her answer.
