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I cupped his face between my hands, touched that he would share this with me. “You didn’t know. And if this was the first time, you’ll be able to put a stop to it.”

He shook his head, his frustration evident by his slight frown. “Why are you always rushing in to help others?”

I ignored the way my face heated at his accurate assessment. “I didn’t want to be a nuisance.”

He shook his head and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “You are never a nuisance.”

Hope flared within my chest, but I pushed it back. This was far from a declaration of love. Many men were very generous with their mistresses, after all, but those arrangements always came to an end eventually.

“What’s going to happen with the school?”

“We’ll have to appoint a new headmistress, but I already have someone in mind. Fairfax has someone standing guard over the current one to ensure she doesn’t flee. I’ll make it my personal mission to ensure she’s brought to justice.”

“Children disappear all the time, especially if they don’t come from a noble family.” There was a hollow ache in my chest as I thought about how close Hope and Grace had come to being two of those girls.

He clenched his jaw, and I imagine he was thinking about what could have happened to his own mother.

“At the very least, I can assure you she’ll never be trusted in such a position again. Whatever brought her to accept bribes from a madam in charge of a bawdy house…” He shook his head. “Her circumstances are about to become more dire than she could have imagined.”

I should feel bad for the woman, but I’d seen the foul side of her this afternoon when she’d judged me for my relationship with Greyson. Her condemnation was extremely hypocritical, considering what she’d just done.

“I can’t regret my actions today. If I’d taken Mrs. Atkinson at her word today, I never would have discovered what she’d done. But how did you learn about it?”

He seemed taken aback by the question. “Your butler didn’t know where you were. I worried when darkness fell and went to the school. Mrs. Atkinson was behaving like someone who’d just committed a crime, and then Miss Billingsley took me aside and told me where you’d gone.”

“Thank goodness for Helen,” I said.

“I was thinking of making her the new headmistress. I almost did when we were hiring staff for the school, but I couldn’t overlook the fact that Atkinson already had experience in that role.”

I smiled widely. “I think she’ll do very well in the position. She’s very good with numbers, and she’s so patient with the children. I know she cares for them. I can’t think of anyone at the school who dislikes her.”

“We’ll interview her again formally, just to make sure.”

I nodded. “Yes, of course, your father will also need to weigh in on the decision. Are you and he the only trustees?”

He tilted his head to one side. “I meant you and me.”

My mouth dropped open. “You want my opinion?”

“Of course. You’ve been at the school every week for this past entire season and more often of late. You’re familiar with the staff there, and everyone likes you. You’ve seen a side of their characters they’d never reveal to a trustee.”

I bit my lower lip. “I suppose that makes sense.”

“Good,” he said, the matter settled despite my reservations. “I can’t wait for you to meet my father. He’s going to love you.”

I felt the color drain from my face. “I can’t meet your father, Greyson.” Then my cheeks heated again with embarrassment and I wanted to sink through the floor. “Oh, you meant I should meet him as someone who’s worked with the other governesses. I’m not thinking clearly right now given everything that’s happened.”

He cupped the back of my head. “No, Claire, not in your role as someone who’s worked at the school. I want him to meet you, the woman I’ve been courting.”

I shook my head and tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let me retreat. “I won’t lie to your father and pretend we’re courting.”

One corner of his mouth lifted. “I haven’t been pretending. Have you?”

“What? What are you saying? I thought you were growing tired of me.”

“When you disappeared and no one had heard from you…” He shook his head. “I was more scared than I’d ever been in my life.” Fondness softened his gaze as he looked down at me. “I love you, Claire, and I’m not giving you up.”

I was gripping his shoulders now. “I must be dreaming.”