Page 24 of Love Lessons for a Lady

“By the by,” Mrs. Crenshaw said, abruptly changing the subject. “We are to have guests Wednesday. Mr. Potterburger, Mr. Bramblefink, and Lady Balderbrook will join us on the twenty-fourth for the first quarterly inspection.”

More than a month early.

She looked positively ill as she imparted that news. She raised a shaky hand and pressed her fingers to her forehead.

“I have a persistent headache,” she offered by way of an explanation.

“Shall I have Cook prepare a powder for you?” Chasity refused to let her attention glide to the ledgers or the partially visible folder beneath them. It looked suspiciously like a personnel folder.

Chasity’s?

Aston’s?

“No. No. That shan’t be necessary.” Mrs. Crenshaw waved toward the tea tray atop a locked cabinet. “I’ll have a cup of tea. It always works wonders.”

“How shall I prepare for Lady Balderbrook and the others?” Chasity asked.

She didn’t begrudge the headmistress her tea tray. The woman had not joined the staff for breakfast for the fourth day in a row. Nevertheless, Chasity had noticed the expensive assortment of dainties and sweets, which no one else was ever offered.

Mrs. Crenshaw slid a piece of foolscap across the desk. “I’ve taken the liberty of making a short list.”

Chasity glanced at the neat rows of script. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except the distinct difference in penmanship between this note and the bookkeeping ledgers in Mrs. Crenshaw’s hand.

The school’s doors had only been open for a short while. The benefactors would understand things weren’t running tip-top quite yet due to the shortage of instructors. Still, the staff was efficient, the building and grounds well-maintained and tidy, and Chasity was confident the students would be on their best behavior.

“Very good. I shall attend to this at once.” Half expecting Mrs. Crenshaw to waylay her, she rose and folded the list. ‘Now, I must get to my class.”

She would be late if she didn’t hurry.

“I cannot supervise dance instructions today.” The headmistress drew one of the school’s ledgers before her. “I have much to do to prepare for the inspection.”

What a surprise. Coward.

“Of course.” Which meant Chasity had to face Aston after asking him to resign. How utterly selfish he must think her. Asking him to give up his livelihood so that she could keep hers.

Remorse’s claw-like feet tiptoed across her shoulders.

She’d allowed fear to dictate her behavior and, in doing so, had compromised her integrity. Come what may, she would apologize and retract her request. If Mrs. Crenshaw wanted Aston gone, she’d have to see to the unpleasant task herself.

“Should I ask him to dine with us?” That had become customary. However, Chasity wasn’t going to presume as much. Hopefully, she’d find the opportunity to express her regret to him—not readily done with nearly fifty girls underfoot.

“Why, yes.” Was that a speculative gleam in the headmistress’s eyes? “Although, I don’t believe I’ll be finished going over the books by then. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to review the accounts.”

She hadn’t even looked at Chasity’s notes yet?

Well, Mrs. Crenshaw had best get on it if the books were to be balanced before the twenty-fourth. Chasity gave her a long look. Was she going to own up to her responsibility?

Finally?

After donning her spectacles, Mrs. Crenshaw opened the first ledger. “You’ll have to take my place as hostess for luncheon.”

Hardly the hostess and Chasity was quite becoming used to taking the headmistress’s place.

“As you wish,” Chasity said with a slight nod.

As she slipped from the room, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding.

As you are unattached, the other investors and I thought perhaps you’d enjoy a trip to our marble quarry in Italy. Naturally, all expenses would be covered if your schedule permits the journey. If you are interested, we can discuss the details when the investors next meet. We anticipate a trip of at least a month, perhaps more.