With her brown hair and hazel eyes, Chloe had an air of being mousy—until she spoke, that was. She taught philosophy—from a uniquely feminine position—dance, and self-defense and, before teaching, had been a student at Miss Primm’s.
Addy, the math and science teacher, was the most optimistic of them all—despite the circumstances that led to her current vocation.
With an American for a father, her come-out had been a dismal failure. She wore her blond hair braided like a coronet and crooked spectacles and spoke in soft tones that almost sounded musical. She’d been considered far too plump by both the other debutantes and the dowagers. And—because she smiled more than she ought—unrefined.
But her students adored her—as did nearly everyone she met.
Priscilla considered herself lucky to have them as her friends.
Miss Primm closed the door and then took her usual place in the winged-back chair adjacent to both.
The meeting promised to be a somber one, indeed.
Never one to beat around the bush, the director of the school straightened her shoulders. “I’m not going to dissemble with you. Unfortunately, the foundation on the west end of the building has been compromised and is going to have to be replaced.”
“Can we not put that off a year or two?” Priscilla asked.
“Not according to the engineer—Mr. Stewart.” A gentleman hired to oversee Lord Rosewood’s new project had inspected the school’s foundation the day before. Priscilla hadn’t realized his verdict had been so dire.
“But you have personal funds,” Chloe suggested.
A flicker of something Priscilla couldn’t quite read flickered in the headmistress’s expression. “I cannot access those at the moment.” Primm set her jaw. “Which means that we cannot afford to lose any students right now. Especially those with generous parents.”
“Piers and I will pay for the repairs,” Victoria said. “I told you, Primm. We are the cause of all this. We intend to do everything we can to mitigate damages.”
By damages, they all knew she was not only referring to the foundation, but also the school’s reputation. Unfortunately, no dollar amount could protect that.
Because the school was owned by a woman and run by women, society allowed less wiggle room for improprieties. That being the case, the respectability and trustworthy nature of a school such as Miss Primm’s…
Was everything. The school’s reputation was, in fact, priceless.
“We simply can’t allow this scandal to get out.” Primm sighed and then adjusted her spectacles. “I hate the idea of giving in to Miss Meadowbrook’s demands, but if we don’t….” She pinched her mouth together and lowered her eyes, blinking.
“It’s only one meeting,” Addy supplied. “And then we only need to keep Miss Meadowbrook quiet until something else captures her interest.”
Priscilla nodded, comprehending the student’s nature. Fortunately, in this instance, nothing seemed capable of holding Allison’s interest indefinitely.
Although, she had so far been adamant regarding her “undying love” for her father’s former footman.
“Even if she does tell someone toward the end of term, people will be less inclined to believe her then,” Victoria added.
Priscilla scrubbed her hand down her face. “Lord Hardwood is coming today?”
“For tea.”
“His timing is rather good, really. We could never have gotten away with it if the school was in session,” Chloe pointed out.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Victoria moaned.
Ever since she and her new husband had returned and purchased a nearby property so she could maintain her position at the school, the former assistant director had apologized no less than a thousand times. Although married to the earl now, she stood to suffer considerably, along with the school, if she and Lord Rosewood’s private… antics… were exposed.
“What do I tell him?” Priscilla’s stomach churned at the prospect of such a deception. “How can I trust that he’ll believe I’m a student? I’m nine years older than Allison!”
She glanced around the room at the other ladies, who were all close in age. Although pretty in their own way, none of them would pass for seven and ten.
“You’re the only one who stands a chance at pulling it off,” Chloe said.
Priscilla glanced down at her less than generous bosom. “Because I’m not…?”
