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I’m so tired of being strong. Was it so wrong to want a respite? To want to lean on someone else for support?
The images in her mind took a different turn then, and she pictured herself melting into a kiss. What would it be like to kiss a man again? One who didn’t want to hurt her?
Beside her, Dominique blew her nose.
Mortification filled Jacqueline. She had no business imagining kisses with anyone. She ought to be paying attention to her immediate surroundings in case of danger.
When they arrived at the Montgomerys’ home unscathed, it was a relief. Ushered into a salon to await their hostess, she felt a little ridiculous wondering if any of the familiar faces she’d known now for more than three years hid a traitor behind them. But Will’s words wouldn’t allow her to let down her guard.
“I’m so glad you were able to come,” said Sabrina as she swept in. They’d agreed years ago that if anything untoward should happen at the school, Jacqueline was to come to her home and act as though expected. “Is this the girl you told me of?”
“Yes. Lady Montgomery, this is Dominique.”
They kept up this sort of chatter until the servants left the room, closing the door behind them as their mistress bade.
“What is it?” Sabrina whispered at once. “What has happened?”
“Dominique, please go and stand by the door,” Jacqueline murmured. “Make sure no one is listening.”
“Yes, madame.” The girl obeyed, opening the door a tiny crack, just enough to see if anyone was there.
Jacqueline waited for her nod, and then in a hushed voice relayed the disturbing events of the night prior as well as her warning for Tavistoke.
“Good heavens,” gasped Sabrina, her green eyes wide. “Henry and I are to see him this evening at the Durants’ party. Will that be soon enough to deliver your message, or should I make some excuse and send for him at once?”
“No, don’t deviate from your current plans,” Jacqueline cautioned. “It might raise suspicion. It’s a safe wager anyone with whom I regularly associate is being watched.”
Her friend’s face paled a shade. “Understood. He and his family will be traveling to the Whitmores’ country estate this Friday with us. We’ll be away for the better part of a week.”
“Good. Be careful and have an eye out during the journey. You should also be prepared in the event Boucher mistakenly believes your husband to be the Archangel.” Guilt weighed heavily on her heart. “Your close association with me has placed your family in danger.”
All remaining color bled from Sabrina’s cheeks, but she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin in defiance. “I’m honored by your friendship, and come what may, I’ll stand beside you. Henry and my mother feel likewise, I can assure you. I shall tell Henry to make preparations—quietly—and relay a warning to my mother. She’ll have the children while we’re away.”
The knot in Jacqueline’s stomach drew tighter as she thought of the possible peril to those who’d pried her from death’s cold grasp. “There is one thing more I would discuss with you in private.” Lowering her voice so that Dominique, who still stood guard by the door, couldn’t make out what was said, she told her about Will. “I must know if I can trust him.”
“I agree,” breathed Sabrina. “If all is as you say, however, the less Tavistoke is involved, the better. I’ll have Henry look into it and send a coded message with Bernard as soon as I hear anything.” The countess then bent her fiery head to confirm in the barest whisper the exact message to be given to Tavistoke.
Jacqueline never failed to be impressed by Sabrina, whose recitation was without error. Turning to Dominique, she beckoned her to rejoin them. Just in time, too, for not a minute later a servant came in bearing a fresh pot of tea.
The next half hour was spent engaged in talk concerning progress on the school’s expansion and the anticipated increase in material needs. Everything from bedding to crockery and nightgowns was discussed.
“I’ll see if I cannot manage another two dozen quilts from my ladies’ sewing circle,” said Sabrina. “Little girls—and young ladies,” she added with a smile at Dominique, “should have something pretty and bright to greet them at bedtime.”
“Thank you for your continued kindness,” Jacqueline said with heartfelt gratitude. The Montgomerys’ generosity to the school was no facade. Glancing at the clock, she drew the conversation to a close. “We cannot stay long today. I promised Monsieur MacCallum I would review the plans for the third floor before the work begins. You’ll let me know about the position?”
Nodding understanding, their hostess rose to show them out. “I shall send word the very moment I receive a response.”
As the carriage rolled down London’s rainy streets, Jacqueline reviewed every detail of the visit. The servant waiting on them hadn’t seemed pa
rticularly interested in anything they’d discussed in her presence. Still, it was better to have taken precautions.
She didn’t relax until she was home. Outside in the courtyard, a bell signified the call to dinner. Her stomach growled. Just in time. Remembering her promise to let Will know about Mr. Young’s account of the encounter with the night watchman and Coombs, however, she went at once to seek him out.
He met her just as she reached the staircase. Behind him, girls had begun to make their descent to go to dinner. “I must speak with you in private at once,” was all he whispered before taking her arm and leading her back the way she’d come.
Again, she was struck by how his touch seemed to put her all awry. Taking a deep breath, she resolved to concentrate on the delightful smells drifting from the dining hall. Her mouth watered at the thought of the good, hot meal awaiting her. It would have to wait.
With the children out of classes, there was no privacy to be had save behind a closed door. He led her into the foyer and then into the room she’d had readied for him. The student files had all been transferred to her office, the desk replaced with a bed, and the space had been made more comfortable with the addition of an armchair, a small table borrowed from another room, and a reading lamp.
