Page 58 of The Redemption of the Shrew

He smiled. “It will be her first foray into a charitable endeavor, and although I don’t approve of the goals of your school, it will do my sister good to learn a bit more about what the world is really like. Might help take her mind off her infatuation with that fellow Barnham. But in any event, I told her I would have to visit the place before allowing her to do so.”

“Of course,” Gloriana said, still a bit stunned. Why hadn’t he just told his sister to find another charity?

Well, that was obvious. She didn’t need Philippe to tell her Hythwick still coveted her.

But getting his sister involved wouldn’t further that goal.

Nor could he assault her in the school—in fact, she would make sure to be elsewhere—so for the moment she would play along. “I shall arrange it with Mr. Alexander. He is the headmaster and a very good sort of man. He’ll be happy to show you about.”

“No need,” he said. “I shall drop by whenever I have a moment, and hope you will take me on a personal tour.”

Chapter 12

Sophie Brun made her way down the street to the school late one afternoon. She found her lover in the back garden with his shirtsleeves rolled up, mending the door of the chicken coop. He held three nails between his lips, while he pounded in a fourth. Eric was clever and handsome and so practical, too, just like Yves. During the escape from France, she had done well posing as the wife of a laborer—perhaps a little too well, but she’d owed it to him. But then everything had gone sour, just as it had with Jean-Esprit.

And now she had Eric Alexander, only this time she wasn’t just giving in to circumstances, nor simply succumbing to desire—she was deeply in love as well. She sighed, allowing herself a tiny shiver of delight at his powerful, manly form, and then addressed him formally, as was appropriate, for their liaison must be kept secret. If it came out, she would be obliged to marry him.

How she wished she dared do so!

“Good afternoon, Mr. Alexander,” she said. “Is Miss Glow here by any chance? I haven’t seen her at all this week.”

He took the nails out of his mouth. “No, she’s hiding.” His voice and expression were grim.

“From whom? Not my brother again, surely.”

“No, from Lord Hythwick.” He banged in another nail. “Seems he came flat up to her in the square where she was sketching, with a cock-and-bull story about wanting a tour of the school. Something about his sister becoming a patroness, but I have my doubts—as does Miss Glow.” Bang. “She thought to have me take care of him, but he insists on a private tour from Miss Glow herself.” Bang. Bang. Bang! He seemed more irate with each stroke of the hammer. “He came by on Wednesday, and was greatly put out when she wasn’t here.” He spat. “What a turd the man is.”

Ordinarily, she enjoyed his little vulgar gestures, but today she was too appalled at the implications. “Ah, mon Dieu. But surely he wouldn’t assault her in the school!”

“Why not? He’s a bloody earl, so he thinks he can get away with anything.” He raised his eyes suddenly. “Here comes your brother. Seems you’ll have to introduce us properly at last.”

Philippe came through the wicket gate. She straightened, knowing this was inevitable but wishing it wasn’t. The two men had met before, but that was entirely different from meeting formally in her presence. “Bonjour, chéri. I will be home in two minutes.”

“Charles told me I would find you here,” he said.

“Yes, I came to ask after Miss Glow. I have not seen her for days. This is Mr. Alexander, the headmaster of the school.”

“We have already met,” Philippe said, but he proffered a reasonably cordial hand. Perhaps he didn’t realize—and why should he? Eric set down his hammer to grasp her brother’s hand and smiled. He didn’t seem the least bit awkward or discomposed—but he wouldn’t, of course. He knew how to conduct himself in many different spheres.

And yet, she knew very well that Philippe was sizing Eric up. It was just one of those things men do, if they feel they have reason.

But perhaps it had nothing to do with her. More likely he wondered about the relationship between Eric and Miss Glow.

“Philippe, Mr. Alexander says Miss Glow has not been here this week because she is hiding from Lord Hythwick.” She repeated what her lover had just told her.

“Mordieu.” Philippe spoke through clenched teeth. “I told her he has designs on her. I told her to avoid him, but will she listen? Non!”

“It’s hardly her fault that he came up to her in the square,” Eric said mildly.

“No, but she could have told him to go to the devil.”

Eric snorted, and Sophie said, “No doubt she did not wish to make a scene. Or perhaps she does not wish to disappoint Lord Hythwick’s sister.”

“Bien, but she could have said she did not give private tours. I am surprised she has the sense to hide from him now. I will find another charity and ask Lady Marianne to say she prefers it. She is a good sort of girl, one who does what she is told.”

Eric let out a crack of laughter. Her brother’s eyelid twitched. She knew the signs of Philippe holding himself in check. “Gloriana is impossible. I don’t know what I see in her.”

“She is beautiful and kindhearted and passionate,” Sophie said.