Page 94 of Hearts of Locke Hill

“You needn’t leave us, my lord. Only a bit of school business. A parent of a potential student on the telephone with a few questions.”

He clasped his hands behind his back. “I’ll just—take in the view at the window, shall I?”

Violet nodded with a smile and turned her attention to her secretary, partly grateful for the interruption and partly she didn’t know what. The way the viscount had looked at her …I wouldn’tbe here if I didn’t.His words could certainly be meant only for his daughter’s prospects. But that look.

Mrs. Penhurst had already begun speaking in a sharp, clear voice. “—you designed the science rooms based specifically on your own understanding of the laws, workings, and study of such subjects, including the in-floor scale system, the pulley systems, and the cantilever laboratory.”

Violet blinked, guessing at the part she’d missed while her mind had still been wandering. “Yes?” she said.

“Yes, of course.” The woman made a note on her notepad. “And it was you who pushed for courses in the study of electronics and wireless telegraphy and flight, due not only to your own curiosity and pursuit of such knowledge but also your belief that women will be essential to such industries in the future.”

There was a hushed pause here, and Violet swallowed. But she straightened her spine. “Yes, that is correct, though we’re still searching for the DaVinci who could teach the study of flight.” She gave a weak laugh, and Mrs. Penhurst made another note.

“And just one more question. You are currently heading up the athletics program with Mr. Burke, but will you be teaching several of the sports yourself, such as track and field, swimming, and fencing?”

Before answering the question, Violet tilted her head. “Whom did you say was calling?”

“A Mr.—” Mrs. Penhurst’s eyes widened.“Smith.”

Violet studied Mrs. Penhurst a moment. “Please take any more of Mr.Smith’squestions down, and I will get back to him promptly. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“Yes, miss. Pardon the interruption.” Mrs. Penhurst folded her notepad away and, with a glance in Lord Buckley’s direction, left the room.

Violet found Mrs. Cole tidying up a very tidy corner near a bust of Elizabeth Gaskell and an arrangement of pottery. Lord Buckley cleared his throat and made his way back to the sofa. “Mr. Smith sounds like he’s already done some extensive research into your influence on this school.”

“Indeed,” she said, somewhat befuddled, as he took his seat. “I’d no idea such information was being circulated, though I suppose it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been made such a provocative subject of gossip.” She laughed good-naturedly.

Lord Buckley did not.

Sobering, she shifted in her seat.

He did as well. “I hope you’ll indulge me,” he said, “but my curiosity is piqued. Do you intend to teach the athletic courses listed by Mr. Smith yourself?”

She smiled, but it felt off. “Would it make a difference to Alice’s attendance here if I did?”

He frowned. “No, I suppose not. But—” He turned to face her more fully on the sofa, sliding nearer as he did. “Itwouldmake a difference if you were to …” He trailed off here.

“If I were to what?”

Her pulse became a shallow staccato as he reached for her hand and tenderly took it in his.

He lifted his gaze. “If you were to accept my courtship.”

A wobbling sound of porcelain on wood preceded a resounding thud on the Aubusson carpet.

Mrs. Cole crouched to the floor, picking up a Roseville Della Robbia vase from America. “Forgive me, miss. Not to worry. This Roseville’s sturdier than the Majolica, that’s for certain. I couldn’t imagine it missing from this grouping; it fits so well here. As though it were made for it.” She repositioned it on the small tableit had toppled from and stepped away. “There, now. Didn’t you decorate this room with that single vase in mind?”

“Er, yes. I did.”

Mrs. Cole glanced about the room. “Lovely, to be sure, when it all comes together. Will you be needing anything else, miss?”

Violet stared at the woman, wide-eyed, struck by the odd behavior of the staff but also the words that had most recently left the viscount’s mouth. She’d pulled her hand from his at the sound of the tumbled vase. “No,” she managed. “I shall ring if I do.”

After Mrs. Cole left the room, Violet wondered how long she might have before the housekeeper made mention of Lord Buckley’s visit to her mother.

She guessed she had minutes.

“I’ve bungled this, I think.”