The sharp question went off like a gun. Phoebe turned to Alex. Becauseof courseit was Alex. “Then the school will have to close until we can find another space,” she said calmly.
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Do youhaveanother space in mind?”
Her hands tightened on her lap. “No. We do not.” Phoebe then addressed the room. “Which is why the success of this event is so important.”
“Now then,” her mother began. “The floor is open for discussion—
notyou, my dear,” she added as Alex leaned forward, ready to strike again. “Let someone else have a turn.”
Phoebe’s shoulders relaxed as her mother took the lead. Most of the ladies appeared interested, but the greatest surprise was Will, who listened with interest and gave a number of suggestions that were irritatingly helpful. He even offered the use of his own ballroom for the bazaar.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Phoebe said diplomatically. “But we’ve already decided to hold the bazaar on the school grounds, so the students may easily participate.”
Will tilted his head. “An excellent idea.”
Phoebe couldn’t help blushing at his praise. Hopefully he didn’t notice. The discussion continued for another quarter of an hour, after which every guest had pledged either a donation or offered to volunteer at the bazaar.
“I think that went well,” her mother said as the guests began taking their leave.
“Yes, thank you so much, Mama. I truly could not do this without you.”
Her mother gave her a shy smile. “You aren’t mad at me then?”
“For not telling me about Alex?” Phoebe shrugged. “I suppose I can forgive you.”
“I just hate to see you fight,” her mother said. “And you’ve been so close for so long.”
They’d had the usual sibling struggles when they were younger but had been on good terms for years, until Phoebe had started teaching and Alex became increasingly involved in their father’s business.
“We have very different ideas of how the world should work.”
Her mother gave her a thoughtful look. “I’m not sure that’s true, darling.” Then she patted her hand and moved to say goodbye to Lady Kirby.
As Phoebe went to pour herself another cup of tea, someone came up behind her.
“Why didn’t you tell me the school was in such financial straits?”
She stiffened at the disappointment in Will’s voice. “Because we have a plan.” Phoebe then turned to face him. “And I’ve been relying on your help quite enough lately, don’t you think?” Will frowned a little as Phoebe brushed past him. “I hope you didn’tcome here just to offer your assistance. You’ve wasted your whole afternoon.”
She sat down on an empty chair and gave him an expectant look as she took a sip of tea. Will stood in front of her with his hands clasped behind his back, still frowning. If he thought looming like that would have any kind of effect on her, he wassadlymistaken.
“No,” he said as he took the seat nearest her.
Phoebe tried not to notice the way his trousers tightened around his thighs as he sat down. The very same thighs she had straddled last night.
She cleared her throat, which had suddenly gone dry, but Will didn’t seem to notice, as he kept his gaze fixed ahead and lowered his voice. “I also want your word that you will stay away from Fleur.Iwill handle it.”
Phoebe bristled and took another sip of tea to help swallow her irritation. Of all the things she wanted from him, being an overprotective brute was not one of them.
“And what would Lady Gwen think about you going there?”
Perhaps that was a low blow, but it seemed vitally important to remind thembothof her existence.
Will turned sharply toward her and scowled. “She doesn’t—” But then he stopped as if something had just come to him, muttered what sounded like a curse, and stood. “I’ve forgotten about an appointment.”
“Oh.” He really did look distressed. “Of course.”
Will shot her another look. “Yourword.”
