“After my last position, I needed a change,” she said.
“You felt your pupils were not a match for your skills, I recall.”
“They were a bit young, but there were also other difficulties.”
“Go on,” he prompted.
“There was a family member who was quite f-forward.” She winced at her stammer. “He made my situation difficult, so I decided to leave.”
When Arnprior straightened up, Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. The earl never frightened her, but he was a big man and he’d been all but looming over her. And although she trusted him implicitly, recalling those ugly memories made her feel skittish.
“Did this man injure you, Miss Knight?”
His manner was calm, but his gaze glittered with barely contained anger. Oddly enough, that quick blaze of fury warmed the cold bits inside her, remnants of shame and fear that still lingered as a result of the attack.
She shook her head. “Not in any lasting way, but I couldn’t stay there.”
His mouth flattened into a hard line, and he stared at the loch for several long moments. When he looked back at her, his gaze remained deeply troubled. “I regret you were subjected to such ugliness. But you now find yourself in a rough and tumble bachelor household, one certainly lacking in decorum.” He grimaced. “This cannot be a pleasant situation for you, given your recent experience.”
“I assure you, sir, my last position was in a very good household, and that still wasn’t enough to protect me.”
When he started to protest, she held up her hands. “You misunderstand, my lord. I have no concerns for my personal safety at Kinglas. Your brothers, despite their rough edges, are kind men. Anyone can see they would never willingly hurt a woman or a child. And while your grandfather can be vexing, I believe he’s harmless. Mostly,” she added with a smile, hoping to reassure him.
His mouth twisted sideways in a smile that looked more bitter than rueful. “It’s themostlypart that worries me. And I’m sure we’re not what you’re used to.” He took his foot off the bench and half turned toward the view of water and sky. “And this place is not exactly Brighton or London. It’s going to get bloody challenging here in the winter, I assure you.”
She stood and joined him, gazing out at the craggy hills and the narrow, steep-sided glens that rose up to majestic peaks. The bright autumn foliage of a few weeks ago had faded, creating a dappled landscape of browns and grays, broken only by an occasional stand of pines. The breeze off the rippling waters of the loch was crisp, carrying a whisper of the storms that would surely come. She knew there would be days when she longed to escape the cold and the isolation, fleeing back to the civilized bustle of London, or even lovely old Brighton.
But the Highlands were also incredibly beautiful and different. So different that she could believe this place was helping her to make a fresh start in life. Everything about Kinglas was completely disconnected from her past, and far removed from the ugliness her life had become.
“Actually, I think it’s splendid here,” she confessed.
He glanced down at her, surprised. “You do?”
“Yes. The Highlands sweep away all the dusty, unnecessary bits, don’t you think? And Kinglas is truly a fascinating and noble old place.”
He exhaled a deep breath, as if something inside him had unexpectedly settled. “I always thought the same. When I was away for all those years on the Continent, it surprised me how much I missed the Highlands.”
“My lord, if you’re concerned that I’ll abandon my post and flee back to England, you need not worry. I intend to stick it out.” Then she cast him a droll glance. “Still, ask me again in January. My views may have changed by then.”
“I will.” His smile was approving and warm. So warm it made her blush.
“And then there’s Kade,” she said, ignoring her fluttering insides. “He’s wonderful. Even if I had to eat haggis every day and sleep in the stables, he would be worth it. He truly is the sweetest boy, and so talented.”
Arnprior’s austere features softened into an expression that set her heart tripping over itself. He reached up and brushed away a lock of hair the wind had plastered across her cheek. “He’s certainly taken to you, lassie. And no one could blame him for that.”
“Oh, ah, thank you,” she stammered. She stood frozen, entirely flustered by that simple touch.
He shoved a hand in the pocket of his leather vest and looked away with a slight grimace, as if suddenly realizing he’d embarrassed her.
“Yes, Kade has made excellent progress.” He looked back at her, cool and collected, once more the stern-faced earl.
“I believe he has,” she said, matching his brisk tone. “I have to prod him to spend time on his other studies, though, because he’d spend every moment practicing his instruments if I let him.”
“He’s always been that way. Miss Knight, I also wanted to ask if the lad has confided anything about the trauma he suffered at school?”
“No, my lord. It’s clear he’s still reluctant to talk about it.”
He frowned. “I got the sense when I came into the sitting room the other night that you were having a private conversation about that very issue.”
