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He cleared his throat also taking a look around. “Perhaps we should return to the park?” he suggested.
Lucy shook her head, already quite tired of being the center of attention. She had no desire to return to where others might wander into the park and wonder at her dress or her tear-stained face.
“May we just go home, please?” she asked.
“If you promise you won’t bolt away and once we return to the manor, you promise to speak to me,” he offered.
She nodded and they stepped further apart. She flushed as she realized just how they must have appeared. She allowed him to tuck her hand into the crook of his arm. They were silent for the remaining journey, Lucy attempting to calm herself and wondering how she was going to explain to her guardian that her entrance into society to find a suitable mate had been doomed from her very first outing.
* * *
They enteredthe house far earlier than Edward had deemed. He had only just sent his wife up to bed when he heard the door open and saw his ward slip inside, followed by Charles. Edward watched as the young man helped Lucille with her cloak, removing it and then laying it on the bench by the front door. Neither seemed aware of his presence near the bottom of the stairs.
“Shall we speak in the library?” Charles said quietly. Lucy nodded and they walked past the stairs, unaware they were being observed. Edward shook his head wondering at their behavior. His eyes had immediately seen evidence of tears on Lucy’s face. He would have instantly stepped forward to demand an explanation, but Charles’ own face and his concern had stopped him. It was obvious the young woman was upset, but Edward would wait to judge until he had all the relevant facts. He waited until the couple entered the library before stepping down the last few stairs. By the time he entered the library, Charles had seated Lucille on the settee and was sitting beside her, his hands clasping hers in her lap.
“What happened?” Edward said making sure he kept his voice low and controlled. Charles looked up and flushed, obviously feeling a bit guilty.
“I’m not exactly sure, sir,” he said. “We were simply enjoying the park when Lucy became distressed. We… well, I was speaking of my interest in courting her. I…” he paused, taking a moment to compose himself. He straightened his back and strengthened his voice, “I was telling Miss Furniss of my desire to further my ability to care for another. I was about to tell her about the position I have been offered when she became quite upset. The next thing I knew, she had practically run all the way back to Wintercrest.” Edward saw Lucy’s face and saw her embarrassment. He, unlike, Charles had instantly understood her reaction.
“Did you mention the position is that of headmaster?” Edward asked as he crossed the room to seat himself in a chair across from the couple.
Charles looked at him and nodded. “Yes, I’m sure I did. Though I don’t know what that has to do…” his voice drifted off as the truth finally dawned on him. “Oh, bloody hell,” he said quietly, shaking his head. “I have been a fool. Lucille, please forgive me. I didn’t even think about Thorne or… or what happened. Please say you forgive me. I can’t believe I was so careless,” Charles said forlornly.
Edward sat back and shook his head. Lucy responded to strength and firmness. Charles was practically begging for her understanding and Edward wondered how far his pleas would get him. Lucy looked first at Edward and then at Charles who was now seated with his blond head in his hands rather than holding her hands.
“I’m sorry, Professor Lloyds,” she finally said. “I didn’t mean to cause you discomfort. You did nothing to cause my reaction. I just heard you say that word and all I could remember was the awful things Headmaster Thorne said to me,” she confessed.
Charles lifted his head and reached for her hands again. “I promise I won’t be that kind of headmaster, Lucille. I hope you know I felt just awful about what happened. Your guardian has gone out of his way to make sure that Cressington Academy will be in far better hands. Even if those hands aren’t mine, I promise that the future students will not have to live in real fear of their headmaster.”
Lucy flushed at his reassurance. “I know, Professor. Headm… no, I don’t suppose he has that title any longer does he?”
Edward smiled and shook his head. “No, Lucille, he lost that honor the moment he discredited yours.”
She smiled and nodded, relaxing a bit before continuing, “I know you aren’t like that horrid man, Professor. I know you are kind and gentle. You have never frightened me. I know you would never hurt me or anyone. Please, sir, I have no excuse. It’s I who must ask for forgiveness.”
Edward wondered if the man seated across from him was aware of the meaning hidden in the words his young ward was speaking. She was not speaking as if she were a young woman who thought of Charles as a man she could love. Her tone was sincere, her words were kind, and yet her countenance was one of a student asking for forgiveness from a favorite teacher. Nothing in her manner showed her interest in him in any other manner. He watched as Charles closed his eyes for a brief moment and then released her hands.
“There is nothing to forgive, Miss Furniss,” he said as he shifted away from her. “You are a wonderful young woman who was treated very unfairly. I admire you so much. Please, let’s forget about this. I shall give you time to consider my words. All I can ask is that you don’t make your decision simply because of my position. I can always refuse the opportunity if you find you simply can’t tolerate me as headmaster.”
Lucy appeared quite shocked at his words as she understood Charles was giving her power that Edward knew she had never expected. She looked across the way and saw him watching her. As hard as it was to maintain neutrality, Edward gave her no clue as to what her response should be. She reached out and placed her hand on Charles’ arm.
“Thank you, Professor,” she said. “You are a good man.”
Edward could practically feel Charles cringing at her words. As kind as they were, he knew the man didn’t want her to think of him as only a ‘good man’. The young suitor must desperately want the woman he was wooing to think of him as ‘her man’.
“I’ll say my good night,” Charles said and gave her a small bow before turning to Edward. “Thank you again, Edward,” he said stiffly. “I will keep you informed of my progress.”
Edward stood and walked to the door with Charles aware that he’d calmed enough to address him by his Christian name. “Don’t give up so easily, Charles. No weak man will ever truly win Lucille’s heart. She needs a firm, strong hand as well as a loving heart to capture her love. I assure you, she can overcome her fear of the position.” He nodded at Henri who had appeared, letting him know their guest was ready to depart. “What she would never be able to dismiss is if she were to see you weak and unsure. Take the opportunity you’ve been offered to learn and learn well and quickly,” he warned, knowing Lucas was arriving soon.
“Thank you, Edward. I appreciate all you have done for me,” Charles said. “I assure you, I will do my very best and take your words to heart.” He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and adding, “I apologize again for this evening.”
“Apologies are unnecessary, Charles. You have done nothing wrong. I hope to hear from you by the end of the week,” Edward said, opening the front door. Charles nodded and slowly walked down the steps. Henri had the coach ready to once again drive the professor home.
Edward closed the heavy door. He walked down the foyer with the intention of going into his study for his nightly drink. As he approached the library, he became aware that Mrs. Bremmer and Lucy were standing in the doorway. He stopped and turned toward them.
“Excuse me, sir,” Lucy said quietly. “I know it is time for me to go to bed, but I’ve asked Mrs. Bremmer to wait a moment. I’d like to speak with you if you’d allow it.”
Edward was impressed with her polite request. “Certainly, Lucille,” he said. “Shall we speak in my study?” He saw her face flush and one hand move behind her as if to protect her bottom from any attention. He gave her a soft smile. “Lucille, remember what I’ve said before. My study is not only used to tend to naughty bottoms,” he assured her and saw her color deepen. “Little one, it is where we may speak in private.”
