Page 95 of Courting the Country Miss

“My pleasure.” Tristan helped the teacher up and stepped back to let the footman climb in.

Mrs. Harper gestured to the footman. “This is Peter. He’s been kind enough to watch over us at the school.”

Peter touched his forelock. “Sir.”

Tristan nodded a greeting at the footman and offered a hand to Leticia. Leticia climbed in, somehow managing to make it look graceful despite her skirts. “The lower height certainly makes it easier to get in.”

“Would you believe I decided to lower it for that very reason—so you could get in easier? And it’s safer.” If Tristan’s plans played out, she would be the only woman who ever rode next to him in his new carriage.

Leticia smiled. As she settled on the seat, she gave a little bounce. “Oh, my, I don’t recall ever sitting in such a soft seat.”

He grinned. “I’m glad you like it.”

As he drove, Leticia’s presence comforted him. His tension faded and his confidence strengthened. Dogs barked, vendors called, men strolled, and carts rattled, all in a familiar orchestra of the symphony of London. Mrs. Harper and Peter sat in the back, conversing.

He glanced at Leticia sitting in comfortable silence next to him. “Does Mrs. Harper double as a chaperone for you when your aunt or Elizabeth are not with you?”

“My aunt approves. Mrs. Harper is very respectable and genteel. Circumstances have…not been kind to her of late.”

“Young.”

“Widowed.” She glanced sharply at him and he could almost hear her condemning thoughts.

He’d once had a preference for widows, but now he had eyes for Leticia alone. Time would prove his intentions to her.

“Why do you need someone to watch over the teacher?” Tristan asked.

Leticia’s brows lifted before a light of understanding came into her expression. She glanced at the footman. “To ensure her safety.”

“Has there been trouble?”

Her gaze slid his way. “Nothing we couldn’t handle.”

“Tell me,” he coaxed.

She waved her gloved hand in a dismissive gesture. “Someone…” she glanced anxiously at him. “Well, a man waved a knife at me and told us to close the school.”

A cold bolt shot straight through him. “What!”

The horses danced and sidestepped. He swallowed and relaxed his shoulders.

She touched his arm again. “I’m sure it was nothing more than the idle threat of an ignorant man who fears what he does not understand. Still, Elizabeth and I felt it prudent to have Mrs. Harper stay with me and to send someone to keep watch over her in case there’s any real trouble. Really, it’s nothing.”

The idea of someone threatening Leticia twisted his gut. He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, censoring the first thing he wanted to shout at her. He fought to keep his voice steady. “You are unharmed?”

“Yes, of course.”

If he ever got his hands on that despicable villain who dared pull a knife on a lady—on his Tish…

He drew another breath. “When did this happen?”

“Oh, a few weeks ago.”

“And you didn’t see fit to tell me?” His attempt to keep his voice down failed.

Her tone turned defensive. “You were hurt, and had other things on your mind. And then later, well, an opportune moment never presented itself.”

He let out a sigh. “Oh, Tish. Don’t wait for an opportune moment to tell me something like that.” He glanced at her. “Please.”