“If you’ll remember,” Michael added, “Sophia and Penelope reunited well after I won her. They only discovered their mutual education because one of the auction leaders specifically approved it.”
“The new Lady Peterborough?” Ford’s voice went high in surprise.
“You’ll remember Peterborough dropped his membership to Sarah’s around the time of his marriage.” Evan arched a brow. “Either way, why is it shocking for a countess to attend the school and not for an earl to visit a spanking club?”
“Good point. Well said,” Michael added, nodding.
Ford threw up his hands, still glaring at them.
“Now that you know, what questions do you have for me—us?” Evan asked, glancing at Michael.
Michael nodded, elbows on his wideset knees. His hands hung between cradling his drink.
“Hmph,” Ford grunted, his brow furrowed in thought. “Who else knows of this school?”
Michael ticked them off on his fingers. “Sophia’s husband, Peterborough. And her cousin and his wife, Suffolk and Lady Roslynn. Sarah Potter. My theatre manager and the other ladies who ran the auction.”
“Oh, and a good number of the servants at Greenborough Park are graduates,” Evan added, grinning at Ford, who knew of his policy regarding the staff there and had joined him in partaking in more than one naked and sweaty evening.
Robert nodded slowly.
“Wait. Sophia was gentry, even before Peterborough married her. Penelope was…not.” He slid a careful glance to Michael, who nodded. “And…servants?”
“Yes. Three separate courses, but with similar teachings. Young ladies destined for Ton marriages are of course in separate classrooms and dormitories but have lots of leeway in choosing the subjects. And every student has a sponsor to help direct them. I am presently working on adding a fourth program.”
The other two men frowned in confusion. Then Michael snickered. “An enterprise path, mayhap?”
Evan grinned. “Don’t knock it. Your countess can benefit from it. Wouldn’t she love to staff her store with young women who she is confident have the basics of inventory management and customer service?”
Michael’s smile turned thoughtful. “Indeed she would. Do I have permission to share this with her? When do you expect to invite the first class?”
“Who was Beth’s sponsor?” Ford interrupted, still focused on the parts most relevant to his circumstances.
“Althea.” Evan shot a glance at Michael, promising him an answer later.
“And Althea’s?”
Evan shook his head. “She did not attend, but she fully supported Beth attending.”
“So there are peopledirectly connectedto the school who have never attended, floating about the country as well?”
Evan arched a brow at his strange phrasing. “Yes. You’re looking at two of them. Why?”
“Never mind that for now. How did you first hear about it?”
Evan grinned. “How d’you think?”
Ford rolled his eyes. “Of course, you probably help fund it.”
Evan wiggled his brows. “I helpedfoundit.” He raised his glass. “And you’re welcome. Cheers.”
The other two gave reluctant chuckles as they raised their drinks to toast him. Evan wondered if Althea knew the extent to which he was involved in the school, then cursed himself for wondering. He’d deal with her tomorrow. For tonight, he’d enjoy the residual glow from her excellent oral skills and savor these hours with his closest friends. With Michael married and he and Ford dabbling in relationships, opportunities like this were becoming more rare.
And Althea has become one of my closest friends. If only I knew what more I want from her.
****
The next evening, dusk turned to twilight as Evan rode to Althea’s home. To avoid risking her reputation, he turned the horse to the alley leading to the stables behind the house. Leaving his horse, he was faced with a dilemma. It felt odd to knock there like a servant, but he could not very well use his key when servants were about, making dinner.
