His aunt pondered that then shook her head. “We are missing something. What made her think you had told the students’ mothers that you wouldn’t recommend their daughters for marriage?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. No, I do. She said they told her I said that. But I didn’t talk to anyone about the blasted school.” He strode around the desk and leaned his hips against it. I’m telling you, the woman must believe anything she hears, even gossip against me. Perhaps her unusual intelligence has a downside.”
“That doesn’t sound like Lady Joanna.”
“No, it doesn’t. But it is. The whole episode is a moot point. I’m calling on Lady Caroline’s father today to ask for her hand in marriage. I believe he will accept, don’t you agree?”
His aunt looked like he felt, crestfallen. “There’s no rush. The season doesn’t end for another four weeks. I want to investigate this.” She rose.
He pushed away from the desk. “You may do what you like, but my mind is made up. I will visit the Holburns today.
“No.” Elsbeth’s voice came from the doorway.
He and his aunt looked at her as she walked in as if walking toward a corpse. Her hands were clasped, and her shoulders slumped forward. He was in no mood for emotional theatrics. He knew how much she liked Joanna, but he would not delay or change his plans because his cousin, who could well be married and living in her own home soon, didn’t like his decision.
His aunt held out her hands to Elsbeth. “Why do you look so dispirited? Is it because you don’t like your cousin’s choice of bride?” She threw him a warning look not to say anything.
He kept silent as his cousin took her mother’s hands.
“What did you want to tell us, dear?”
Elsbeth looked at her mother, then dropped her mother’s hands, straightened her shoulders and faced him. “I was the one who revealed the secret school. I was just so excited. I was chatting with Lady Caroline as I assumed you had told her. At least, she didn’t seem surprised by the school, but she asked me a lot of questions. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told her. I wonder if someone overheard us and told all the mothers.”
He glanced at his aunt who looked at him. He doubted very much that anyone overheard them. Lady Caroline had purposefully caused the rift between him and Joanna. It made so much sense, it angered him he hadn’t figured it out.
“Elsbeth.” His aunt put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I understand, and I’m sure your cousin does, too. I just have one question. Did you know who the other students were and relate that to Lady Caroline?”
She nodded at her mother, then turned to him. “Do you forgive me?”
“I do.” At least now he knew why Joanna was so upset. It still stung that she hadn’t believed him. Worse, that she could think he had planned to crush her dreams for over a month.
Lady Elsbeth started out the library door, but stopped when her mother spoke.
“Do close the door, please. I would like a private word with James.”
Elsbeth’s gaze moved to him before she gave an abbreviated nod and pulled the door closed.
He took the initiative. “Did you have something else that is pressing? I do want to visit the booksellers today. Avery put aside a volume for me that he thinks I will be particularly interested in.”
“I’m sure I misheard you. I believe you meant to say you’d be calling on the Mabrys, correct?”
He frowned. “Why would I want to call on the Mabrys? It’s obvious that Lady Joanna’s opinion of me is hardly complementary.”
“But that’s because she doesn’t know the truth.” His aunt studied him. “Surely you aren’t going to still request Lady Caroline’s hand, are you? What she did was purposeful with the intent to do harm. Heaven forbid she were to take a dislike toward me or Elsbeth. What if she turned on her own husband? He could well meet with a questionable accident and then—”
“Enough.” He raised his hand. “No need for melodrama. I am not so enamored of Lady Caroline that I cannot see what type of person she is based on her recent actions. You can rest assured I will not be calling on her again.”
She raised her chin a fraction. “I never doubted that. I simply looked for confirmation. Now as to Lady Joanna.”
“There is no Lady Joanna. If you still wish to teach at her school, and Elsbeth still wishes to attend it, I will not hinder you from doing so. I do not see a need to be in her presence again.” As he said the words, his chest tightened, but he knew them to be the best course of action to take.
“What?” His aunt gestured toward the library door. “You heard Elsbeth. Lady Caroline caused this misunderstanding between you two. You need to tell Joanna the truth.”
“I did, and she didn’t believe me.” He pushed away from the desk and walked back to his chair. “She chose instead to believe that I lied and schemed. She believes I am a monster. I see no reason to further our acquaintance.” He sat and turned the page in his book. In time, his feelings for the unusual Joanna would fade. Perhaps if Elsbeth had an offer before the end of the season, they could all repair to Burhleigh Park. He’d just have to come back another season to find a bride.
“Further your acquaintance?” His aunt stood and stepped to the front of his desk. “You two went far beyond acquaintances. You were even more than friends. You kissed her because your heart told you to.” She slammed her hands, palms down on the desk in front of him. “Your pride may be hurting, but it’s nothing compared to how you will feel if you let that remarkable woman slip through your fingers.”
She pushed away from the desk and crossed her arms over her chest. “Use that intellect of yours. Have you ever thought what it must have been like for Joanna to have her dreams crushed? Whether it was by you or anyone, but for it to be laid at your feet, the man she respects, admires, and who she has come to care deeply for, had to have hurt her far worse than any wounded pride you may be suffering. Remember, James.” She dropped her arms and pierced him with her dark gaze. “Lady Joanna has never had a suitor. Not one. Not one man willing to get to know her and who she is. She has no experience with what was happening between you two. You are the first man not to reject her out of hand because she can think!”
