Jack shot him his best ‘get out now’ look and said, “Thank you, Brandt. You can leave the door open. We’ll talk when you get back this evening.”
Brandt grinned and left the room.
“I hope you don’t mind my calling without my cousin,” Miss Hamilton said.
Jack picked up an ink-stained rag and wiped his hands. “Not at all. I’m glad you came. In fact, I was thinking about you.” He noticed the color rise in her cheeks, and it pleased him. “Sit down.” He gestured to an empty chair across from his desk.
“Thank you.” She moved to the chair and untied her cape. “I feel rather warm after my walk.” She slipped the cape from her shoulders to reveal a summery white dress, slim in the waist and full in the skirt. Jack waited for her to sit before he seated himself again.
“Last time you were here, you wanted to ask something of me, but you were interrupted. I’m curious to know how I can help you.” He smoothed his hand over his chin. He’d never been apprehensive in a woman’s company before, but he felt a tension now that unnerved him.
She folded her red cape in her arm and let it rest on her lap. “That’s kind, but I feel rather foolish for disturbing you. I can see you are busy with your writing. I recall you mentioned working on something new.”
“It’s an epic poem.”
“I remember you saying as much. I didn’t know you were a poet.”
“Neither did I. But we must write what the muses honor us with, and my muse honored me with this poem, so I must write it.”
“What’s the subject?”
“The huntress Artemis and her flock of maidens. One of her best-loved maidens, a golden-haired beauty, falls desperately in love with a mortal. And they engage in a forbidden and illicit love affair.”
“That sounds intriguing. I look forward to reading it.”
“I hope to serialize it if I succeed in getting it published.”
“Of course, it will be published. The world is waiting for your next work. I am sure whatever you write will be worthy of publication.”
“Oh, it is worthy. But society is prudish, and people have convinced themselves they are in full control of their animalistic desires. The affair between Artemis’s maiden and the mortal is passionate, illicit, and dangerous. Tempering their ardor to suit society’s mores would be false. I’d be betraying myself as an artist. And the result would be a lackluster poem.”
Ottilie let out an uncomfortable laugh. “That is why I prefer mathematics. It’s free from judgment and scandal.”
“Yet, you are a free thinker and live as an independent woman, so I wager you are not afraid of judgment.”
“Judgment is one thing, but scandal is quite another. Life is a little easier for me in Canterbury, but I must be more vigilant in London for my aunt’s sake. She has tried her best to reform me since my mother’s death two years ago.”
“Reform you? What do you mean?”
“She’d like to see me married and idle—preferably to some doddering gentleman with a courtesy title.”
“Why does it matter so much to her?”
“It’s for Henry’s sake, I think. My cousin and I are good friends, and my aunt is ambitious for her only son. I believe she wants to rein me in so that I don’t tarnish him in any way.”
Jack folded his arm. “And Hudsyn allows it?”
“No, in fact, that’s the real reason he disappeared to Kent. There was a small disagreement between Henry and his mama after we returned from visiting you last week. My aunt overheard our conversation and discovered he’d brought me to see you ‘unaccompanied’, as she called it. Things soured rapidly after that. I think Henry needed some time alone. He hates when his mama tries to control him.”
“So, you thought it a good idea to leave your aunt’s residence and come here alone?”
“I am not used to being caged, and I took pains to conceal myself for my aunt’s sake. Besides, I have a purpose for being here, and that is all the reason I need.” She lifted her chin as though daring him to challenge her.
He leaned back in his chair and kept his eyes fixed on her. “Tell me.”
Ottilie shifted in her seat as though readying herself to deliver a rehearsed speech. “As you know, I teach mathematics at a ladies’ college in Canterbury. The number of institutions providing secondary education for women is growing in line with the demand and call for improvement in women’s education. Nonetheless, such growth would be impossible without the help of forward-thinking men, who are willing to share their knowledge and education with young women.”
Jack rubbed his chin. “Fascinating indeed, but what does it have to do with me?”
