“No?” Hawthorne asked. “Because I can’t help but notice that you act impulsively around Miss Lloyd.”
“I do no such thing.”
Hawthorne placed his glass down onto the table. “Do you want to know what I think?”
“Not particularly.”
“You have developed feelings for Miss Lloyd.”
William scoffed. “You think I developed feelings for that stubborn, vexing woman?”
“I do, and I think it has clouded your judgement.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong.” William tossed back his drink. “I feel nothing for Miss Lloyd.”
“Then why did you fire her?”
“Because she defied me,” William said, his voice rising.
Hawthorne reached for his glass and took a sip. As he lowered it to his lap, he asked, “Why does it bother you so much that she defied you?”
Rising, William replied, “I am done with this line of questioning.”
“She unnerves you, and that scares you.”
William slowly returned to his seat. “Miss Lloyd is infuriating, and she doesn’t seem to be intimidated by me.”
“Do you want her to be intimidated by you?”
“Yes… no…” He stopped. “I don’t know.”
Hawthorne moved to sit on the edge of his seat. “I don’t believe that Miss Lloyd is the problem. I think it is you.”
“Me?”
“You can’t dictate everyone’s actions,” Hawthorne said. “If Miss Lloyd wants to go to the market, then you can’t stop her.”
“But she could be hurt, or worse!”
“I’m sure she understands the risk.”
William placed his empty glass onto the table. “If she gets herself killed, then I am out a headmistress.”
“Aren’t you already out one?” Hawthorne pointed out.
William leaned back in his seat and thought for a moment. “I blundered this, didn’t I?”
“It’s not too late to fix it.”
“Do I want to fix it?”
Hawthorne shrugged. “What is more important to you—your pride, or your mother’s orphanage?”
William let out a sigh, knowing his friend had made a valid point. “I suppose when you put it like that.” He rose. “Now I am in the uncomfortable position of having to hire Miss Lloyd back.”
“I wish you luck.”
“I don’t need luck. I just hope that she will be sensible about it.” William walked over to the door and stopped. “Will you please inform Dinah that I intend to rehire Miss Lloyd?”
