“Your father probably cares about you,” Miss Cartwright said. “Mine was not interested in his daughters. He considered us a burden.”
“That’s … sad,” Carenza said.
Miss Cartwright’s expression turned icy. “I consider it a blessing, my lady, as it allowed me to do the work I knew I was destined for.”
“And by all accounts you do it very well,” Carenza hastened to reassure her. “Mr. Laurent thinks very highly of you indeed.”
“Very highly,” Allegra repeated as Miss Cartwright’s color rose. “He sings your praises on every occasion he can.”
“Mr. Laurent has been a generous benefactor to our school and mission,” Miss Cartwright conceded.
“He’s very handsome, too, isn’t he?” Allegra said.
Carenza shot her a look. “That’s hardly relevant to our current discussion, sister. Perhaps you should move on to your next question.”
Precisely at eleven, Miss Cartwright rose to her feet. She’d refused their offer of refreshments but had agreed to take a batch of Cook’s scones back to the school for the boys’ tea.
“I’ll just fetch you the scones,” Carenza said after shaking Miss Cartwright’s hand. “Would you care to accompany me in my carriage? I have business near Grosvenor Square this morning, and I’m more than happy to drop you back to the school.”
“That would be most kind of you.” Miss Cartwright looked out at the sullen gray skies. “I forgot my umbrella, and I fear it is about to rain.”
Five minutes into their journey, Miss Cartwright cleared her throat and looked across at Carenza. “I would appreciate your advice, ma’am.”
“Mine?” Carenza was startled. “Yes, of course. How may I help you?”
“Your sister implied that Mr. Laurent’s interest in me is more than his desire to do good works. I refute that claim entirely. I have never encouraged any familiarity from him or from any other benefactor of our school.”
“I’m sure you haven’t, Miss Cartwright.”
“Then should I say something to him? He is doing an admirable job as our treasurer.” For the first time she looked remarkably unsure of herself.
“Mr. Laurent would never use his position to pressure or persuade you to do anything against your inclinations, Miss Cartwright,” Carenza said gently. “He does admire you, but he also respects your work. I am certain he won’t make demands you are unwilling to meet.”
Miss Cartwright nodded. “Thank you. I will resist the temptation to mention his behavior to him.” She looked out the window, indicating the conversation was at an end.
The traffic was busy, and the carriage moved slowly between the brewery carts, hackney cabs, street hawkers, and pedestrians.
Miss Cartwright turned to Carenza. “Would it be convenient for you to let me off at Grosvenor Square rather than the school itself?”
“Yes, of course,” Carenza said.
When they finally turned into the square, Carenza rapped on the roof with her umbrella, and the carriage drew to a stop.
Moments later, her coachman appeared at the door. “Are you alighting here, my lady?”
“Miss Cartwright is leaving us, Owens,” Carenza explained. “You can continue on to the usual street once she’s gone.”
“Thank you, Lady Carenza,” Miss Cartwright said before Owens helped her from the carriage.
Carenza leaned out of the window. “Here, take my umbrella.”
Miss Cartwright paused. “If you and Lady Allegra do decide to invest in our school, we would be honored to accept your help.”
Carenza smiled. “Good morning, Miss Cartwright.”
She closed the door and sat back. Julian might not appreciate Miss Cartwright confiding in her, but she couldn’t have picked a better person to reveal her concerns to. Julian’s interest in Miss Cartwright didn’t surprise Carenza. He had always appreciated an intelligent woman. She had no intention of mentioning the conversation to him and simply hoped she had alleviated Miss Cartwright’s concerns.
As the carriage drew to a stop at the back of Mrs. Mountjoy’s house, Carenza gathered her skirts, made sure she had her reticule, and descended the step with Owens’s assistance.
