Mrs. Tallon’s smile faded rather quickly. “Painting? I believe that would take up a lot of valuable time, Mrs. Feld.”
Brina remained undaunted. “Not really. My plan is to stop reading to them, as I realize most are now reading quite well on their own. So, I won’t be disrupting them for that or taking any more time from their usual studies and sewing preparations. The painting will be in place of the reading.”
“Yes, of course, Mrs. Feld,” she said tightly. “I do thank you for that consideration. As I stated when I came to work at the school, I believe in discipline, decisiveness, and dedication to the art of sewing. If you feel the art of painting will help them achieve my objectives to makethem valuable to the community one day, I will yield the time to you for painting lessons.”
Brina felt that went easier than she expected until she realized the headmistress wasn’t finished.
Mrs. Tallon’s lips widened, but there was no pleasure in her smile. “However, I do feel if we find that some of the girls are not inclined to do well with a paintbrush, as many don’t, we must allow them to do something else. Just as we’ve discovered some are better with cutting the fabric and others with the needle, and still others with tying ribbons into a bow and making a shapely rosette.”
“I understand, Mrs. Tallon, and think that’s a reasonable request. I’ll be happy to revisit this if that is the case.”
Mrs. Tallon’s eyes slowly returned to normal and her expression softened a smidgen.
Brina knew she was supposed to let Mrs. Tallon make all the decisions concerning the school but she needed to help in some way. “I’ll be in touch. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.”
After saying goodbye to everyone, Brina stepped outside, closed the door, and leaned against it, wondering if it was natural to want to help the girls have a more fulfilled life. Was she interfering more than helping? Was it unusual for her to want them to need her for something? What would she do if she couldn’t help them? Brina knew other ladies in Society successfully lived as widows and seemed perfectly happy without needing the satisfaction she received from being with the girls and the sisters.
Brina took in a deep breath, feeling as if she were an interloper in the school. Perhaps she would go visit the sisters at Pilwillow Crossings and take the bandages she rolled last night. It always seemed to cheer her to talk withthem. Surely they couldn’t receive too many donations to give out to the unfortunate who depended on the abbey’s help.
Feeling unsettled by the very real prospects of not actually being needed by anyone, she lifted the hem of her skirt and started down the three steps. As she made it to the bottom, she heard a squeak of metal and looked over at her side gate. A sudden rush of expectancy tightened in her chest and halted her steps.
Blacknight was entering her back garden. But just as quickly, she wondered why. He should be going to her front door and waiting to be announced by her housekeeper if he wanted to see her. Did he think he could break every rule of Society?
Yes, he did.
For today, she didn’t mind. Seeing him lifted her spirits and made her forget she was feeling as if no one needed her. She welcomed this unexpectedgoodsurprise.
Chapter 13
Trying to tamp down the excitement filling her, Brina took off at a brisk pace and met up with the earl near the trellis. “My lord,” she said, hoping she was breathless from her haste and not from the mere fact he’d stopped by. “I’m surprised to see you today and here in my garden.”
“Your housekeeper told me you were at the school,” he said, taking off his hat and running his hand through his shiny dark hair. “I decided to wait for you. Outside this time.”
Brina couldn’t stop staring at him. She was still amazed by how handsome he was, amazed how her heart beat faster every time she was near him, and amazed by how easily he evaded acceptable rules and manners.
“A gentleman doesn’t wait for a lady to return,” she answered, hoping she sounded at least a little annoyed when, really, she wasn’t feeling irritation at all. Butshe should. “He leaves his card or a note as to when he might call again.”
Seeming nonplussed by her explanation, he nodded as if he were understanding her but asked, “That’s the proper way, is it?”
“Yes, and you must know it,” she said with no scolding in her tone. “A gentleman doesn’t wait because it might not be a convenient time for the lady to see him. It could turn into an awkward situation when she returns.”
The earl kept his gaze on her and a smile curved the corners of his lips. “Do you feel awkward being with me right now?”
She hesitated for only a moment before answering honestly, “Well, no.” Seeing him had made her feel better. Wonderful in fact. “I can’t say I do.”
Blacknight casually crossed his arms over his chest as his lids hooded his eyes enough to make her wonder what he was thinking and feeling.
“Neither do I,” he said. “So that rule doesn’t apply to us, right? Like kissing doesn’t apply.”
Kissing?
His comment sounded so sincere, it struck a nerve. There seemed to be several things that didn’t apply to them. Brina wanted to be upset with him, but try as she might, she simply wasn’t able to come up with any annoying feelings. She had been very close to feeling sorry for herself when she stepped out of the school and was glad he’d arrived and put a stop to that useless and weak emotion taking hold.
“Never mind kissing. What would the neighbors think if they saw you walking into my garden?” she asked, feigning irritation.
“That you have a visitor?”
Brina laughed at the truth of his statement and shookher head as she looked into the depths of his brilliant blue eyes. “It so happens my neighbor across the street has a spyglass and a good friend who is a known gossip. No doubt it will be in tomorrow’s edition of some scandal sheet that you were seen walking into my garden unaccompanied by me or anyone else. I’m supposed to be helping you remember your upbringing and how to behave so your family will be comfortable you have changed your rakish ways.”
