Goodness they were efficient.
“There you go, Miss Doyle,” Mrs. Peade said. “Don’t make Lord Kilsyth wait.”
They might wish to hurry her, but Eve refused to be rushed so she slowly descended the stairs. She’d not jump each time he demanded and Kilsyth would soon learn that he could not simply push her around upon his whim as if she were nothing but a piece on a chessboard.
Eve paused at the entry to the library. Pickmore relaxed in a chair, a newssheet in one hand and a cup in the other.
Kilsyth sat behind his desk reviewing documents.
“You wished to see me?”
Kilsyth glanced up and smiled. “Come in, Miss Doyle.” He removed the spectacles from the bridge of his nose and stood.
She couldn’t move. It was the first time she’d not seen him stern or frowning. When he smiled, he was actually quite pleasant to look upon. Eve wasn’t certain what changed between yesterday and today, but Kilsyth seemed quite relaxed.
Pickmore came to his feet. “Good morning, Miss Doyle.”
“Good morning.” She nodded.
Kilsyth moved to stand behind his leather chair and rested his hands on the back. “Now, let’s get to know one another, shall we?”
She stepped further into the library and glanced around again, not certain what to do with herself. Did she sit? Stand?
“Will you be needing anything further, Lord Kilsyth?” Mrs. Peade asked from behind Eve.
“That will be all.”
“Very good, sir.” And then she was gone.
What of breaking her fast, or even a cup of tea? Though the chocolate had been quite delicious, Eve had only been able to drink half of the cup before it was taken from her. Then again, she’d eaten more yesterday than she had in nearly the entire week, so she’d survive going hungry for a bit she supposed.
“Please, do have a seat, Miss Doyle,” Pickmore said, still standing.
At least he was a gentleman. Kilsyth certainly hadn’t offered the same.
“Thank you.” She crossed to the dark maroon settee near Pickmore’s brown chair and settled upon it, facing Kilsyth.
“Before we begin, let’s get to know one another, Miss Doyle” Kilsyth began. “I assume you’re proficient in watercolors, needlework, pianoforte, household management, flower arranging and the like.”
Did he really think so little of her, or did he not think a woman capable of anything more, or that her intelligence lacked in some manner?
Then again, if all he was exposed to were misses and debutants, he may believe the female mind filled with nothing but fashion and how to land a titled gentleman. Clearly, he’d not met a miss who was educated as she. But how much did she tell him? She still knew very little about Kilsyth or what her purpose was to be since he wished toteachher.
Yet, it wouldn’t do well to lie and he’d find out later that she had. “I have no talent for paintin’. I am an excellent seamstress and I prefer to create my own needlework designs. I am proficient at the pianoforte, but I don’t sin’. I have been taught to run a household and have an eye for flower arrangin’.” All of those were things she’d taught herself, with the help of the housekeeper, with the exception of mathematics for managing the household.
“How was it that your sister became a teacher with such basic knowledge?”
Eve bristled. “I answered yer question. Ye did not ask about me education.”
He pulled back in shock. “By all means, what did you learn?”
Oh, his condescension irritated her to no end. “History, sciences, languages, literature, similar to what me brother was taught by his tutor.”
Kelsyth slid an eye to Pickmore as if he didn’t believe her.
“Despite where I’ve been livin’ or how I appeared yesterday, I can assure ye, Lord Kilsyth, I am not an ignorant girl. My interest goes beyond the latest fashion plate.”
“If that is true, what languages did you learn?”
