He gritted his teeth to keep from offering to help her undress, the words flying to his lips with supernatural speed. Instead, he nodded.
She glanced back at the house, then met his gaze again. “You said I needed to be accepting of new experiences. I think I understand now. So far, none have been terribly taxing.”
He choked back a laugh and coughed. “Then shall we see if the Duchess of Northwick will welcome you as a teacher?”
She gave a confident nod and turned forward. “We shall.”
Lifting his hand from hers, he allowed her to start forward first, proud of her though not sure why. It wasn’t as ifhe’draised her to have such a stalwart backbone. He couldn’t imagine Juliet not being an asset to the school. She had all the refinement of a typical aristocratic lady.
As they came to a halt before the front stairs, he had to admit the impression of the home was definitely made to intimidate. He felt five steps, ten feet wide, were plenty large enough, but this one had at least twice that. Quickly, he dismounted, worried Juliet would again question her own worth.
He helped her dismount, not unaware of how small she was. He forced himself to drop his hands, but she didn’t move.
Instead, she took his hand in her gloved one. “Do not worry. I may not be granted a position, but I promise you, I will return.”
At her words, he realized he’d lowered his brows in his concern over her disposition. Forcing his face to relax, he gave her a lopsided smile. “That is reassuring. I shall wait here.”
She squeezed his hand then turned and floated up the steps to be let inside.
For the first time since seeing her in his dreams, doubts assailed him. As much as he didn’t want to acknowledge it, she was born in a class above his own. Could he truly make her happy when she was used to grandeur like Silver Meadows?
Chapter Three
Juliet sat, watchingher hostess pace across the parlor before the fireplace, which had a painting of what appeared to be the kindest woman on earth. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but upon being escorted into the parlor and seeing Lady Belinda Mabry’s portrait, whom the school was named after, she’d immediately felt comfortable. The duchess had explained the school’s name and purpose and was now attempting to find a position for her.
She was quite glad Noah had mentioned the need to welcome new ideas and possibilities because she’d never met a duchess like Lady Northwick. Despite being every bit a lady, her black hair done up except for a single long curl and her bearing that of a true duchess, her ideas were quite unconventional.
The lady in question stopped in midstride. “What about horticulture? Do you know anything regarding plants?”
It was the third such question in the last fifteen minutes, and though she was anxious to answer in the positive, she shook her head, beginning to lose hope.
“No bother. I will think of something.” And the woman continued on her journey, her jewel green skirts swishing as she walked.
The school didn’t teach young women such skills as the pianoforte or writing letters or any of the usual subjects. It was arather odd school and one Juliet was quite sure she would have enjoyed when she was younger.
As if the duchess had read her mind, she stopped. “If you could study any subject, what would it be?”
“I’m not sure.”
The duchess waved off her comment and sat in the chair opposite her. “Come, think. What did you most like to learn about as young child? There must have been something your governess taught you that you enjoyed.”
Thinking back, she remembered liking all her lessons. All but painting. She’d been terrible at painting, preferring to read instead. “I did enjoy reading very much.”
The duchess leaned forward, her hazel gaze almost gray in its intensity. “Tell me. What did you like most to read? Philosophy, history, literature, foreign—”
At the mention of literature, her heart leapt. “Literature.” She’d so loved reading stories and poems and deciphering what they meant.
The duchess jumped up, actually jumped. “That’s it! I need a literature teacher. One of our young ladies far exceeds my own knowledge on the subject.” She winked. “I prefer arithmetic, myself. Now, do you live near or would you like to live here? We have plenty of rooms available. Though we’ve expanded to a dozen girls, that hardly fills this place.”
Her joy at hearing she had a position was tempered by the question. While living in such a grand house would be much like what she was used to, her instinct told her both Noah and Orinda would be very disappointed in her. She wasn’t sure why the opinion of a dead ancestor and a commoner should matter, but it did. “I think to begin, I’d prefer to ride over, if that is acceptable.”
The duchess smiled warmly. “Of course. Since you have just moved to our corner of the world, I’m sure there’s much for youto do to settle in. I’m so pleased you will be one of our teachers. The ladies work on their studies in the mornings, which is why we haven’t been interrupted, but the afternoons are for physical activity. If you can return tomorrow, I will introduce you to Lady Sophie and explain our process here. I believe three days a week would do nicely.”
Her heart beat hard in excitement and she rose. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m pleased I can be of some help.”
The duchess linked arms with her and walked her to the door. “I shall see you tomorrow morning, then. You have no idea what a relief it will be to have you here.”
Within moments, she had said farewell and was fairly running down the steps to tell Noah. Her heart said he’d be proud of her, and she couldn’t wait to hear him say it. As she reached the bottom step, he approached, a wide smile on his face.
