Page 93 of Hearts of Locke Hill

“No, you’ve caught me at my leisure.”After quite an event-filled morning.“I was walking in the garden, actually.” She looked about. “You’ve not brought Alice with you.” She smiled. “I hope that’s not a sign of your decision not to enroll her at Locke Hill.”

He smiled in return, his blue eyes crisp in the window’s light. “Not at all. One of my reasons for calling is to let you know that Alice has made her decision, and I’m in agreement.” He gave her a generous nod. “She’s chosen Locke Hill, of course.”

Violet grinned, truly delighted. “That is wonderful news, my lord. I’m so pleased.”

“I’ve spoken to your secretary,” he said. “The paperwork is signed, and my copies are already in the motorcar with my man.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze, and her smile dimmed. Until that brief movement, she hadn’t realized he still held her hands in his.

Oh dear.

Using the excuse to gesture to the sofa, she slipped her hands from his grasp. “Let’s sit, shall we? Would you care for tea?”

“That would be lovely.”

She rang the bell and then sat on one end of the sofa. He followed, sitting on the other end. Mrs. Cole entered instead ofone of the maids. Violet suspected she’d heard that Lord Buckley was here.

“Yes, Miss Whittemore?” Upon seeing Lord Buckley, she bobbed a curtsy. “Your Lordship.”

“We’d like tea, Mrs. Cole.”

“Of course, miss.” She turned but not before lifting her brows in Violet’s direction—to what end, Violet had no idea. The housekeeper then pointedly made a show of widening the gap of the already open door.

Honestly, did everyone believe Lord Buckley had come calling on Violet Whittemore, famed bluestocking suffragette virtuoso, near-spinster? She peeked a glance at the man. He’d noticed the door being left ajar, and his ears were turning a ruddy pink.

Oh dear.

“So,” she said a little too loudly. She daintily cleared her throat. “Did you have any more questions about the school? Its curriculum? We are hoping to have a dressage program up and running by autumn, did we tell you? I’m quite excited. I recall Alice being especially interested in equestrianism. She’s beyond basic horsemanship, naturally, but our goal is to stretch students past their current abilities. Did we show you the conservatory? Yes, of course we did. I don’t recall if Alice has any musical training, but if she does, we—”

“Miss Whittemore,” he said, the edge of his mouth curling upward.

Startled somewhat, she blinked. “Yes?”

He chuckled, shaking his head at the plush carpet of creams, soft rose, and green. When he lifted his gaze, his expression became sheepish. “I fear I’ve made you nervous.”

“Nervous?” She breathed a shaky laugh. “What would I have to be nervous about?”

He shrugged. “I’m not certain. You’ve already sold me on the school. I imagine Alice will have this summer semester to find her leanings.”

Violet looked away and bit her lip. Why was she being such a ninny? She straightened her shoulders and placed her hands in her lap. She met his gaze. “She’s a bright girl. I look forward to seeing where education leads her.”

“I do believe an education enhances a woman’s prospects in life.”

“Do you?”

His gaze deepened. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

At that moment, Mrs. Cole entered with a tea tray. Mrs. Penhurst followed on her heels. While Mrs. Cole busied herself with the tea, Mrs. Penhurst lifted a notepad and pen.

“Excuse my interruption, miss, my lord, but I have a few questions that need Miss Whittemore’s immediate attention.”

“Right now?” Violet asked.

Mrs. Penhurst’s eyes widened. “This very moment.”

Violet gave a look of apology to Lord Buckley and moved to rise. He stood quickly as well.

Mrs. Penhurst held out her pen. “No need to stand. This won’t be a minute.”

Violet slowly sat. Lord Buckley hesitated.