“Yet you have no difficulty encouraging the belief of selkies by those younger than you.”
At that, the three older troublemakers dropped their chins because they were guilty.
“There are no vampires. There are no ghosts. There are no witches. There are no selkies, or pixies or …any mythological creature that you may next read about,” Mrs. Wiggons nearly yelled because she was so frustrated with her students.
She came to stand before the three youngest.
“You will cease eavesdropping on the adults and especially your teachers. You will cease sneaking out at night. You will cease sneaking into homes that belong to others. If I catch you doing so again, you will be sent home.”
Mrs. Wiggons was rather frightening when her dander was up, and Julian hoped she never turned her wrath on him.
“For the duration of the term, you will be in class, at dinner or in your chamber. A maid will be assigned to you and always be where you are. If there are chores to be done, you will do them. You will not be left alone when away from your chamber or until you prove to me that you have outgrown this nonsense because I am not going to spend another three years with another terrible trio.”
She then marched to stand before the older trio. “It is the three of you that have instigated part of this new round of trouble, making them believe in selkies, and I want it to stop now. Donotencourage them any further. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Mrs. Wiggons,” the three answered in unison.
“Now go to your rooms and do not leave your chambers.” She then opened the parlor door and all six students scampered out. She then shut the door again and turned to Cait.
“I know you had plans for a cloak to get back at Eliza, but I am now revoking my approval. You could have been hurt far worse tonight because of their foolishness. I will not encourage them further.”
“I understand,” Cait answered timidly.
“Now as to your ankle. You will remain off it for at least four days.”
Four days? Julian did not want to wait that long to visit with Cait again. If necessary, he would use Keegan’s crutches and come here, except he did not have an excuse for doing so, and was it even proper to call on a school to court a teacher?
Court! Yes, he wanted to court her but how when they both struggled to even walk?
“I am certain my ankle will be fine tomorrow,” Cait claimed.
“You will pretend that it is because you do not shirk your duties. However, I want it fully healed. Therefore, I am certain that Claudia will provide a chamber at Harrington Manor where you can rest without worrying about classes or having students underfoot while you recover. Besides, your sister is still in residence there and you should spend time with her.”
Julian did not react to Mrs. Wiggons’ proclamation, and he certainly had no objection. With Cait being in the same household, they could spend much more time together and he could come to know her better.
“Are you certain that is necessary?” Cait asked, though he noted that some of the argument had faded from her tone.
“Yes, I am. Miss Hamilton will go up to your chamber and pack a valise for you.”
“If you insist.” Cait gave in.
“I do.” With that Mrs. Wiggons marched from the parlor.
Julian turned and smiled at Cait. He would now have many more opportunities to enjoy her company and possibly steal a few kisses and maybe they could share more intimacies. That is, unless Kilsyth turned out to be an overly protective arse.
Chapter Nine
Cait did not want to return to teaching. For an entire fortnight, long after her ankle had recovered, Mrs. Wiggons had insisted that she was not needed. Her employer also did not dock her pay and encouraged Cait to take this time as a holiday to spend time with her sister.
She supposed that she could have argued, but Cait had no real desire to do so.
Julian's knee healed after a few days and the two of them often took walks, sometimes into the village. They spent hours conversing and getting to know one another. In the evenings, they played whist or chess, and he taught her billiards. And whenever the opportunity arose, Julian kissed her.
She told him of Ireland, her home, the horses and that her favorite place had been the stables. When not with her governess, trying to rid herself of her Irish accent so that she would be better accepted in London, she was with the horses. She explained how her life had been when her father had been alive and then how everything had been lost and how they came to England.
He in turn spoke of his mother, who no longer lived but whom he had loved dearly. His tone was not as warm when speaking of his father who favored the eldest son and was always disappointed in Julian. He shrugged it off, but Cait hurt for the little boy who must have suffered when rejected, or at least not been as appreciated as his older brother.
Though he spoke of his service to the Crown, Julian did not provide details, only that he had begun his training and service at the age of ten and eight, with the other Devils of Dalston, and that is when the friendship became a close one. Each relied on the other while on a mission and in Society. A trust he’d never had with anyone else in his life.
