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“Now you know,” he answered, the blood rushing to his face. “I’m as anxious as you to know if Geoff is well. He’s a good man.”
“He is indeed.” Her gentle smile was enough to make him momentarily forget how to breathe. “Mrs. Sloane knows he will never marry, but that does not prevent her hoping he might change his mind.”
“She’s not the only one,” he replied, chuckling as he opened the inkwell. “Miss Flanagan has quite a liking for the gentleman.”
“Yes, I know. Long ago—before her marriage—Mrs. Hayton did, too. Though he liked her well enough, he did not return her stronger sentiments. His best friend eventually managed to change her heart’s allegiance. Mr. Birdsley stood as witness at their wedding. When Mr. Hayton died a few years later, Mr. Birdsley took it upon himself to look after her on his behalf. They are good friends.”
“So that’s how she knows so much about him.”
She nodded.
Silence fell, and for a while the only sound was the scratch of nib against parchment. There was, blessedly, no discomfort in the quiet between them now. Again, Will thanked Providence for having forced him to tell her the truth.
Chapter Fourteen
Every nerve in Jacqueline’s body was attuned to the man sitting in her office. He dominated the small space without making her feel trapped, and she again marveled at how tolerant she’d become of a man’s presence.
The events of last night, as well as her personal qualms about him, ought to have kept her awake till dawn, yet she’d fallen asleep almost the second her head touched the pillow. In truth, having seen the way he handled both the menacing message and their stealthy observer had boosted her confidence in his story. Still, for the sake of due diligence, she must verify it.
Glancing at the clock, she saw it was nearly time to leave. “Forgive me, but I told Mrs. Sloane to have Dominique ready to depart for our visit with Lady Montgomery by two. I must go and prepare.”
He leveled a hard stare at her. “I told you last night I’d accompany you.”
“You cannot,” she replied firmly. “Lady Montgomer
y does not know you, and it would be awkward to make introductions without explaining why you came with me. Don’t worry—I shall be armed, as I always am whenever I leave the premises.”
“You always take a pistol with you?”
“Always,” she confirmed, rising. “I will ask Mr. Young about the night watchman. The office downstairs has been made ready, if you would like to send for your things.”
“If someone can take over my classes for the remainder of the day, I’ll go and arrange to have them brought over.”
“Agreed. I shall see to it on my way out.” She made to walk around him, but his gentle touch on her elbow stopped her.
“Be careful,” he whispered.
The look of tender concern in his dark eyes was nearly her undoing. “I will,” she answered, her throat tight and her voice thick. Turning, she put him behind her and forced her legs to carry her away before she did something foolish.
In her chamber, she had Henriette help her change into a suitable gown and touch up her chignon. The girl’s eyes still widened every time Jacqueline took out her pistols.
The special, shortened muzzles were no good for hitting anything far away, but they were excellent for close-range targets, and their size was more suited for a lady. Checking to be sure all was in order with them, she slipped one into a pocket and the other into her reticule, hoping she’d need neither.
Dominique was waiting at the exit to the carriage house. “Do you think it safe?” she asked as Jacqueline took out her keys to unlock the door.
She offered the girl what she hoped was a confident smile. “An attack in broad daylight on a moving carriage in the middle of London is unlikely, my dear.”
But as they boarded the carriage a few minutes later, Jacqueline wasn’t so sure. She’d asked Mr. Young about the night watchman with Coombs, and his answer disturbed her. The watchman, while not unknown to Young, had been making the rounds in their neighborhood for only a month. It was he who’d introduced Coombs as Birdsley’s temporary replacement.
She wondered just how far Boucher had infiltrated local society around the school. Again, she found herself comforted by the knowledge that Will would be there tonight. At least wait until confirmation is received! Scolding herself, however, proved ineffective. Her heart was shouting over her head. Emotion was slowly winning the battle against reason. I’m falling in love with him.
The thought was enough to induce panic. She looked out at the passing scenery and tried to calm herself. How foolish was she to allow herself to fall in love with a man she hardly knew?
But her heart argued that she did know him. She knew the sort of man he was. Honorable, kind, noble of spirit, and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Tavistoke would confirm her gut feelings about him, she was sure.
It would be so much better if Will didn’t reciprocate her liking for him. She admired him, and he admired her. She desired him, and she knew he desired her. Yet such sentiments were doomed to end only in tragedy and disappointment.
For just a moment, however, Jacqueline allowed herself to dream. She pictured herself held tenderly in his arms, resting against his strength.
