The history teacher glanced at his pocket watch. “Five minutes down. Only three hours to go.” He sighed and took a sip from his cup. “Every year, these things seem to go longer and longer.”
“Indeed.” Most of the time, Devin spent these types of events watching people. Their mannerisms and expressions. He passed the time making up stories for all of them. One could learn so much about human nature by watching people laugh with acquaintances in one breath and drop the façade as soon as they thought no one was watching. Ridiculous, really. What would people think if they knew what he thought? Not that the opinion of a lowly English professor would mean much to them.
Better just to stand here and do his best to look like he was enjoying himself. “Any exciting new developments in the history department?”
Allen laughed. “Well, history hasn’t changed—at least last time I checked—but wewillhave a new addition to the department next year. What with Professor Sadler’s retirement.”
“Oh? Do you know the new chap?”
Allen shook his head. “Nope. And it’s not a male either. We will have the first female professor in the history department.” A frown flickered across the man’s face.
“That’s great.” He didn’t have to fake enthusiasm. He felt it through and through. Cheering for Eliza for so long meant he had a firsthand view watching her struggle and triumph time and time again in her field. He didn’t hold the same views as some of the older staff who insisted women should only teach women and children. “Have you met her yet?”
“She’s supposed to arrive next week. Her credentials and education are impeccable, so I am hopeful she will be an asset and not adistraction.” Allen stressed the word with a wink. He was about the same age as Devin but seemed to have adopted the attitude several of his peers held about women.
Devin raised a brow. “The world is changing, my friend. For the better, if you ask my opinion.”
“Come back and tell me that when you have women in the English department.” Allen chuckled. “Although, as a young, single man like myself, you would probably love meeting someone with the same interests. I can’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.” The smirk on his colleague’s face seemed somehow... lascivious. Devin looked away.
Every year, he learned a bit more about the people he worked with on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes, he enjoyed getting to know them better. But others ... not so much.
Still, they were all weary from the end of another long year. He could excuse his friend’s narrow thinking for now.He wasn’t in the best of moods and might say something untoward himself if he didn’t watch his mouth.
Perhaps a change of subject would be best for both of them. “What are your plans for the summer?”
“You mean, when I’m not here?” Professor Allen pointed to the floor and then out the window. “I would love to take some time off to spend at the coast, but I have so much to prepare for next term since I’m teaching two new classes. I will probably have to settle for dreaming of the beach rather than going.” He took another sip from his crystal cup. “What about you? Since you’re the new head of the English department, my guess is that you’ll be up here as much as I am.”
Devin nodded and took a deep breath. “You are correct. My only plans at this point are to get prepared for next term.”
Usually he loved the summer and the shorter hours he needed to put into work, but his responsibilities more than doubled when he became head of his department. He felt the pressure to make sure the department continued to operate at a high standard. And he hoped to progress the program forward as well. As he’d said to his friend, times were changing. There was a great deal to do.
Yet...
Eliza’s request niggled at the back of his mind. Even with all the work piling up on his desk, he would love to go west and see her.
He blinked away the thought.
The huge grandfather clock in the large hall rang out the top of the hour. Soon there would be a raffle, and a string quartet would play so that people could dance.
“Looks like we’ve survived fifteen minutes so far.”
Devin groaned. “It’s going to be a long evening.” He worked to mask his disappointment.
“I’m off for a refill. These dainty little cups don’t hold much.” Allen waggled his eyebrows at him as he walked away.
His colleague’s words gave him a chuckle as he glanced down at his own empty cup. But then noise from the front entryway drew his attention. A group of people entering had caught the eye of almost everyone in the room. The crowd was pulled along with them like a moving carpet.
Probably one of the wealthiest couples in Pittsburgh. People always liked tooohandaahover their costly attire for the shindig.
Devin suppressed a yawn. The night was going to drag on forev—
The crowd parted.
That wasn’t just any wealthy couple. That was the Millses. And their granddaughter.
Eliza.
His heart picked up its pace, and he found his smile. What was she doing here? They never came to this event.
