I shook my head. “No, but the Mortensens mentioned him. They said he also runs a school.”
David nodded. “I never had a formal education, so in the last few years, I’ve supplemented my reading by hiring him. We are fortunate that he also had the time to open the neighborhood school.” David never seemed comfortable when I complimented him, but I very much wanted to tell him how thoughtful he was, not just to the boys and girls in the community but to me as well. “I must admit, lately, his lessons seem to interest Julia far more than they do me. Even so, I should return. Once I receive your reply, that is.”
“My reply?”
“To my note.”
“Oh, of course.” Somehow, I’d forgotten the small slip of paper, even though it was in my hands. I turned over the card and read his invitation.
Mrs. and Miss Atwood,
My sister and I would be delighted if you would join us for an afternoon of music at Tate Hall today. If that is agreeable, we will send a carriage to collect you at 4pm.
Yours,
David
“An afternoon of music?” I asked, confused. I’d assumed we would either spend more time looking for work for me or enjoy another walk. Mama and I were down to days left at the cottage, and we needed to decide what our next plan was. “You don’t think we should be deciding on where Mama and I will go?”
“I haven’t yet fulfilled all my duties as fiancé.”
“What duties?” I asked and then grimaced. My list of what I’d thought engaged couples should do had included playing duets. Why had I said that?
I was terrible on the pianoforte. I had a rudimentary knowledge and knew how to play a few pieces badly, but if David thought he was going to be able to open a sheet of music to a complicated piece and have me play it with any sort of talent, it was going to be a disaster.
“My invitation disappoints you?” David was leaning forward, hand on the doorframe of the cottage as though that were the only thing stopping him from coming in and staying for tea.
“No, it sounds lovely. I’m only concerned about how little time we have left in the Prestons’ cottage.”
“I’ve already told you I plan to move into James’s home, and you and your mother will stay with Julia.”
We’d discussed this plan several times before, but I’d hoped we wouldn’t actually have to send him into Breckenridge to live with his good friend the doctor there. As far as I knew, he hadn’t even talked to his friend about it.
He narrowed one eye. “The face you made as you read my note didn’t seem to be the face of someone who thought the invitation was lovely.”
“No, but it is. We would love to come. Thank you for sending the carriage. Mama will be very pleased.”
“Will my fiancée also be pleased?”
I gave him a smile. “I will, I promise. After all you have done for my family, nothing you could do would displease me.” My reassurances didn’t seem to reassure him at all. If anything, he seemed dissatisfied.
“All right, then. As soon as I receive my answer, I’ll take my leave.”
“I gave you my answer.”
“You forget, I’m only the footman. Would you like to write a note for me to deliver to ...”
He paused, obviously unsure of who exactly he would be delivering a note to. “Yourself?” I asked.
He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe and folding his arms. “I’ll wait.”
I gave a soft groan and grabbed him by his arms, pulling him into the cottage. “Wait inside. You’re letting in far too much cold air.”
He stumbled forward in surprise. I tightened my grip on his arms until he was steady, then quickly shut the door. The cottage foyer was small, with barely enough room to greet guests and servants who arrived there. David’s lean form and vibrant energy seemed to fill the space around us. Only a day ago, his arms had been around me as we had worked on the Walkers’ roof together, and having him this near again brought back the memory of him holding me. Not that the memory had ever been far from my mind.
“I’ll be back presently,” I said with a quick puff of air, turning and escaping to the small drawing room. As soon as the drawing room door shut behind me, I sucked in a long breath.
“Who was at the door? Mary?”
