She let the silence stretch between them, wondering if he would venture any further information, but he remained staring out of the window.
‘Whatever the price, Lord Somerton, I have paid my dues,’ she ventured. ‘Anthony is dead and, whatever you may think, legally I am now free to do as I wish.’
He shifted, bringing his gaze back to her and relaxing a little as he leaned back against the plush upholstery. He crossed his arms and stretched out his long legs. Her gaze rested momentarily on the strong, well-muscled leg that now intruded on her space.
He regarded her for a long moment before he asked, ‘And what is it you wish to do now you have earned your freedom, Lady Somerton?’
She took a breath. ‘I know my jointure is gone but I intend to continue with my plans for the charity school.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘And how will you finance it?’
‘My friend, Lady Ainslie, has a modest income, so I cannot ask her for money, but I have thought about it and I believe if I start a school in the dower house...’
He sat up straight. ‘Start a school in the dower house? What sort of school?’
‘A school for young ladies. Daughters of men who can afford to pay for the things that a lady of quality can give them.’
‘So you intend to live out your life playing governess to the bored, indolent daughters of the aristocracy? Hardly worthy of you, Isabel.’
She flushed. ‘No! But as I no longer have an independent income of my own, except what you can spare, it is a means to an end.’
He leaned back against the dark blue velvet of the coach seat. ‘And you think the fees from a school at Brantstone will accomplish this?’
‘If I live simply, then yes. Lady Ainslie is, like me, a widow. We have been planning this venture since we were schoolgirls ourselves.’
‘No,’ he said.
For a moment she thought she had misheard.
‘I said, no,’ he repeated.
She sat bolt upright. ‘No? What do you mean, no?’
‘While you may live in the dower house for as long as you wish, I cannot allow you to turn it into a school.’
Heat rose to her face. ‘How else am I to raise the funds for my charity school? Would you have me hire out my services as a companion for young ladies wishing to enter society? For that is my only alternative. There are those who seek out impoverished titled ladies to ensure their darlings meet just the right man.’
His mouth tightened into a hard, grim line. ‘No, Lady Somerton. I have no wish for you to do either.’
‘Then what will you have me do?’ she seethed.
He straightened, filling the space in the coach with his presence. ‘I will not have you hiring out your services like a... like a... common doxy.’
‘A doxy!’ Her voice had risen an octave.
He raised a hand. ‘That was a poor choice of words. Please, Isabel. You mistake me. If there is a way I can right Anthony’s misuse of both you and your fortune, I will do so, but you need to give me time.’
She glared at him through narrowed eyes.
‘You want to make it right?’ She laughed bitterly. ‘It is all gone. Anthony had no such care for either me or my fortune.’
He nodded. ‘I know. I just ask for a little patience.’
Isabel subsided in her seat and, with her chin on her hand, looked out of the window without seeing the passing countryside.
‘I’m sorry. I spoke harshly. What I am trying to say is that it is my intention that you can continue with your plans withoutthe need for you to resort to teaching the daughters of the indolent wealthy.’
‘Hmm,’ was all she could think of in response.
