“Who is that with Winifred Atkinson?”
“Her sister.”
Lady Gwen wrinkled her nose. “The one that supposedly works for their father?”
Will’s lips pursed at her skeptical tone, but it was hardly the first time someone questioned the nature of Alex’s role in the company. “That is Alexandra,” he replied. “Phoebe is a schoolteacher. She doesn’t move much in society.”
“Oh.” Lady Gwen’s shoulders relaxed. “I suppose that’s why she’s wearing a gown from last season. For a moment I thought it might be someone important,” she drawled.
Will ignored the impulse to reprove her, as that would only arouse her suspicions once again. “No,” he said, making sure to match her careless tone while he watched the Atkinson sisters retreat out of the corner of his eye. “Not at all.”
Six
Phoebe gazed idly around her classroom. It was a balmy afternoon and her students were growing antsy. They were separated into groups and supposed to be debating the themes present inThe Odyssey, but more than one had strayed from their task in favor of school gossip. Class would be dismissed for the day in just a few minutes, so Phoebe decided not to scold them. There would be plenty of time to discuss the intricacies of Homer tomorrow.
There were many who thought teaching these girls the classics was beyond useless, but every boy that attended Eton read this text. And Phoebe strongly believed that literature shouldn’t be reserved for only the upper classes. Odysseus’s treacherous journey back to Ithaca had survived for thousands of years because it relayed something universal about the human experience. Something that spoke to people across eons and captured their imagination. Perhaps Phoebe could have devoted the hour to more tedious grammar exercises or penmanship practice, but these girls deserved a little adventure too.
She intended to have one of her own soon. Once school ended, she would head directly to Alice Clarke’s flat. Phoebe had not so patiently waited two days at Will’s request, but he was likely toobusy with whatever it was dukes did to come all the way over here now.
I take my responsibilities very seriously.
Her neck warmed at the memory of those words spoken in his low, deep voice so close to her ear. If he ever learned how many times she had thought of that over the past two days, she would perish on the spot. Especially considering the elegant young woman he had left them for.
That’s Lady Gwen,Freddie had whispered.People say they’ll be married before Ascot.
As Will moved to stand beside her, even Phoebe couldn’t deny they made a striking pair.
So it did not matter what he whispered as they moved around the ballroom, nor the feeling of comfort that had washed over her while in his strong arms. And she must have imagined the spark in his dark eyes at the very end, just before he pulled away. After all, she had mistaken his attention for a deeper interest once before and had no wish to repeat the experience.
Phoebe gave her head a sharp shake, forcing the enticing memory to scatter.
“Who isthat?” Mabel Taylor suddenly rose from her chair and pointed to the window that looked out onto the street. “He looks like the king!”
“We don’t have a king, you idiot,” Florence O’Conner said, joining her. “He must be a lord.”
Next was Lizzie Abrams. “What’s a lord doinghere?”
“Girls, stop gawking,” Phoebe called out, but it was no use. The entire class was now crowded around the window. Girls were standing on their tiptoes and craning their necks for a glimpse. Phoebe glanced at the clock. The bell would ring any moment.
“Oh, he’s handsome,” Lizzie cooed. “I think he’s waiting for someone.”
“Fromthisplace?” Florence sneered. “Don’t be daft.”
“Well, why else would he be standing right there?” Lizzie countered.
Phoebe rose, prepared to intervene in case they continued to quarrel but then the bell rang. “All right girls, class dismissed.”
A chorus of groans rose up but Phoebe knew they were only sorry to lose their vantage point. “We’ll continue withThe Odysseytomorrow, when Odysseus encounters a cyclops.”
That managed to catch their attention, especially after she promised there would be blood. Then they gathered their things and dutifully filed out. Phoebe said her goodbyes and answered a few last-minute questions mostly regardingjust how much blooduntil the room was finally empty.
Then she headed toward the window to see this supposed lord creating such a fuss. It was probably a clerk waiting for his sweetheart who worked in one of the nearby shops, she reasoned as an irritating flicker of hope began to kindle in her chest. The girls thoughtanywell-dressed man was an aristo. It wasn’t him. He was too busy. Too important. Too—
But the rest of her well-reasoned points vanished as she caught sight of the man standing on the pavement across the street. The girls were right. This was no mere office worker. Even from this distance Phoebe could tell he wore an expertly tailored suit only the very wealthy could afford. And was indeed handsome. Exceedingly so.
Just then Will glanced up and caught her staring at him. He gave a little wave and pointed at the school’s front door with a questioning look. Phoebe immediately shook her head. If he camein here she would have to explain who he was and then she wouldneverhear the end of it. Will seemed to understand and raised his hands in supplication. She held up a finger and he nodded.
Phoebe gathered her things as quickly as possible and rushed down the stairs just as Marion was coming up them, likely to see her.
