She came to his side and rested against his legs, eyes going to Miss Knight. Walter settled at her feet with a weighty sigh.
“Ella, this is Miss Knight. She is here to discuss becoming your teacher.”
His eyes were on the woman. He wanted to see her reaction to his daughter. If he didn’t like it, she would leave the house at once.
“It is lovely to meet you, Miss Howarth.”
The smile grew on Miss Knight’s face until it reached all corners and lit her eyes. The impact had Forrest swallowing. He had serious doubts at that moment about this woman’s suitability as his daughter’s tutor. Not because of her qualifications, but because she was a disturbing combination of beauty and vulnerability. He knew nothing about her, of course, so did not know if she was desperate or vulnerable, but he had come to that conclusion.
“Is that your dog?”
“He is Walter,” Ella lisped, as her two front teeth were now missing.
“Well now, that is a fine name for a fine dog, Miss Howarth.”
“My name is Ella.”
Miss Knight’s eyes went to Forrest. He nodded, confirming he was happy for her to call his daughter by her Christian name.
She got to her feet and crouched before Ella. “How do you do?” She held out a hand.
Ella took it and shook.
“Will you introduce me to Walter?”
Ella straightened. “Walter, this is Miss Knight. Shake.”
Walter heaved himself upright and held out his paw. Miss Knight shook it solemnly.
“Dogs are very special,” she said, dimpling.
“What is your name, Miss Knight?” Ella asked.
She looked to him again. He nodded.
“My name is Ruby.”
“Like the stone in the Duchess of Yardly’s brooch?” Ella looked at him.
“Exactly the same,” he agreed.
“Ella, would you like to come and take tea with me and Uncle Gabe? I’m quite famished,” Dimity said.
“Go along, sweetheart, I’ll follow soon.” Forrest placed a kiss on her head.
She dropped into a curtsey as Miss Knight rose, and then ran to her aunt and uncle and disappeared. Walter, he noted, stayed, which was unusual, as food had been mentioned, and more importantly the tea tray, a favorite of his.
“Well, Miss Knight, how soon can you start?”
She’d been in the process of shaking out her skirts but stopped and stared at him.
“I—pardon?” The hope in her eyes had him swallowing. Desperation, he reminded himself, and wondered what her story was. Not that it mattered. As long as she fulfilled her obligations to his daughter, everything would run smoothly.
“You have the position, Miss Knight. Shall we discuss details?”
She nodded, then gripped her hands together in her lap. She sat that way until he’d told her how much they would pay her.
“You’re very generous, Mr. Howarth.”
