Page 61 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“Tolerably well, thank you.” Elspeth took another sip of the porter. She must drink it slowly, in order to stay as long as necessary. “I hope you will have the chance to play for another team someday soon.”

His cheek twitched. “Not while I’ve my old mum to provide for.” She thought he might intend to ignore her after that, but then he glanced at her, and his lips curved in a ghost of a smile. She liked so much about him—his kindly face, his warm blue eyes, and his muscular forearms. Not that one would see his muscles ordinarily, but he had rolled up his sleeves to play. He was sweating a little, and her head swam as she inhaled his heady aroma. She smiled back.

“And your mistress?”

“Also very well. She spends a great deal of time at her school for needy boys.”

Thank heavens this comment led to general conversation, in which opinion was divided between approval and disapproval of Miss Glow’s school and its objectives—just like the nobs, according to what Miss Glow had told her. Mr. Turner didn’t have much to say. He sat back in his chair, arms folded and wearing a faint frown.

“Even Lord Hythwick has shown some interest,” Elspeth said, drawing some amazed stares. Beside her, Mr. Turner straightened, his frown deepening. He said nothing—he wasn’t much of a talker, she remembered, which had made his confidences at the Dower House so exceptional—and took another swig of ale.

“He and Miss Warren are still speaking?” Mrs. Coyle asked.

“Why, yes,” Elspeth said. “There are no hard feelings. Why should there be?”

Mr. Turner choked on his ale. Elspeth shifted nearer and thumped him on the back. He croaked a ‘thank you,’ wiped his mouth, and favored her with a swift, incredulous stare.

Elspeth blinked innocently back and suddenly realized that since she’d moved to thump him, her knee, through the gown, was now touching Mr. Turner’s. She should move away again.

An unaccustomed wildness came over her. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. She left her knee where it was.

“They are perfectly civil to one another,” she said, “for what would be accomplished by incivility except a horrid combination of gossip and chaff? Indeed, Miss Warren and Lady Marianne have become good friends. His lordship’s interest in the school is not for himself—I believe he disapproves—but for Lady Marianne, who wishes to become a patron. He has asked to tour the school first, to ensure that it is suitable.”

“That don’t sound much like Hiffy,” Joe said. “If he don’t approve, nothing more to say.”

“Perhaps he has turned over a new leaf,” Elspeth suggested. “A more charitable, open-minded one.”

Mr. Turner huffed. “Not likely.” He didn’t move his knee either.

Elspeth took a bracing swallow of porter. Her heart thumped wildly—for what if he didn’t fall in with the next part of her plan? On the other hand, why shouldn’t he? He’d escorted her in the completely safe darkness on the Garrison estate. “I should be leaving soon. It’s frightening walking home in the dark, and worse the later the hour.”

“You came here on your own?” Mr. Turner asked. “Miss Morrison, it’s not safe out there for a woman alone.”

“I know, but I was longing for some porter and good conversation, so I decided to take a chance.”

He tsked. “I’ll walk you home.” He drained his tankard and began to roll down his sleeves.

She couldn’t risk a coy refusal. “Oh, would you, Mr. Turner? How very kind.” She took a final swallow of porter.

After the door of the Bull and Crown closed behind them, she said, “Mr. Turner, I have to ask you—”

At the same instant, he said, “Miss Morrison, I must warn you—”

They both laughed. He offered her his arm. “You first.”

She tucked her hand in his arm, shivering a little with the pleasure of it. “What I have to say will be quite lengthy, and I fear it will shock you.”

He raised his brows, his expression quizzical—and unexpectedly warm.

That was going too fast. “Not that sort of shocking. I assure you, I don’t usually allow my knee to rest against that of a man. But my mistress asked me to speak to you privately, and I couldn’t think of a better way to manage it.”

He sighed. “And here I thought you liked me a little.”

“Yes, of course I like you.” She gulped but dove in. “Very much, and I trust you too. Otherwise I wouldn’t have dared, whatever my mistress asked of me. I am not a flirtatious woman, never have been, so it doesn’t come naturally. But I wanted to speak to you because it saddened me when we were obliged to part on such an unhappy note. My mistress’s request provided me with an opportunity, but you have no idea how nervous I was coming here! I feared you would do your best to avoid me—or think me a loose woman for liking you too much.”

“You couldn’t possibly like me too much,” he said with a grin. “If I were a rich man, I’d have come a-courting you long before this, but I’m not and likely never shall be.”

Elspeth’s heart flew! He loved her!