“Oh,” I muttered, formulating my response. “I assumed there may be girls seeking a position. Since I have not been gone long and there were several when I departed. How fortunate they have all been placed.”
“Well,” Headmistress Williamson explained, “they have not ALL been placed, but again, there are none suitable to join your staff.”
“Has Margaret found placement?” I inquired.
“No,” the headmistress answered, drawing the word out. “But I could not let her go at this time, though your husband may prefer I did, pretty girl that she is.” She narrowed her eyes at me, letting out a harsh cackle.
“Well,” I retorted as I rose to stand, “it appears our business is concluded.” Headmistress Williamson also stood. “I shall see myself out.”
I approached the door when the headmistress ceased my departure, calling, “Oh, Lenora…”
“Yes?” I questioned, turning to face her from the doorway.
“If you are in any position to make a request of your husband, it would prove most helpful for Duke Blackmoore to make a donation to the orphanage.”
Try as I might, I could not force my lips into a smile, fake or otherwise. Instead, I struggled to stop them from forming into a grimace. “I shall speak with him regarding your request with the utmost haste.” With those words, I stormed across the foyer and departed through the front door. Only once outside did I take a moment to allow the emotions boiling under the surface to bubble up.
I breathed a shaky breath, my hand still gripping the door handle leading to my former home. My change of position failed to affect Headmistress Williamson’s attitude toward me. Had I expected it to? I was not certain, though in my deepest heart, I had hoped for a different result.
I set my jaw, pulling myself straighter. I released the door handle and smoothed my skirts, drawing in a deep breath. I should not let it affect me, I decided. As I descended the steps, I caught sight of Robert crossing the street.
“Robert!” I exclaimed. “Whatever are you doing here?”
“Collecting you,” he responded. “My business concluded early. I hoped to locate you and lunch at my favorite restaurant. I warn you, it is a pub. Are you game?”
“I am,” I answered, accepting his arm to walk. We wound through the streets, ending our journey outside a pub.
Robert stared up at the building, then eyed me. “I hope you don’t find the establishment too coarse. The food is quite good.”
I smiled at him. “I do not object.”
“You are quite a good sport, Lenora,” Robert mentioned, holding the door open for me.
We sat in a booth near the fireplace. Warmth flowed from its crackling fire. “How was your visit to the orphanage?” Robert asked after our order was placed.
“Brief,” I stated, not meeting Robert’s eye. “Headmistress Williamson is very busy.”
“Was she able to help you settle the position?”
“No,” I admitted, “she had no suitable girls available.”
“Really?” Robert questioned. “I am quite surprised.”
“As was I,” I conceded. “I have not been gone long. I assumed several of the girls there when I departed remained. Had I realized she had no suitable girls, I would not have wasted her time and mine.”
“The headmistress must be well-connected to have gained placements for all of them,” Robert commented.
“I did not gather the impression they were all placed, merely that none of them were suitable to join our household.”
“That seems an odd statement,” Robert commented.
“Odd or not, it was the entirety of her response. I am not surprised. She and I were not cordial. Though I admit not to have expected the cool reception I received. Despite her lack of help, she did solicit a donation request on your behalf.”
Robert lifted his eyebrows but allowed the subject to drop. “Unfortunate she was unable to settle the position. Though, allow Henry to handle it. He will make short work of the matter, I imagine.”
“I will,” I agreed.
Our food was served, and I realized as a whiff passed under my nostrils, how hungry I was. “Are you anxious to return to the castle?” Robert inquired as we began eating.
“Yes,” I confirmed, “I am most anxious to return home.”
Robert offered a half-smile. “It warms me to hear you call it your home.”
“I am glad it pleases you,” I answered.
“And I am glad it pleases YOU,” Robert replied with a chuckle.
“It does,” I disclosed. “I have a tremendous sense of contentment there.”
“Despite your midnight hauntings?”
“I am accustomed to these phenomena.”
“I must admit, it is odd to me how you take these events in stride.” I nodded, familiar with the sentiment. Most others with whom I was acquainted found me odd. “Do not misunderstand me, Lenora. I do not find YOU odd. Merely the ease with which you accept the events surrounding you.”
A half-smile crossed my face as, for the first time in my life, I experienced acceptance from another living person. “I am glad,” I murmured, unsure how to respond, having no experience with this feeling.
We spent the remainder of the meal discussing household details. During the afternoon, we took in the scenery in a park despite the chill in the air before returning to our hotel. As we approached the building, Robert confessed he had a surprise for me.
“A surprise?” I questioned, shocked but curious.
“Yes,” he mentioned as we entered our suite of rooms. A crate sat on the table inside the entryway. “I hope you shall be pleased.” Robert removed the lid, allowing me to view the contents.
Books filled the crate to the brim. “For your library,” Robert added, with a grin.
I smiled at him, a genuine, open smile. “Robert!” I exclaimed.
“Are you pleased?”
“Pleased is an understatement,” I assured him, returning my gaze to the books. I reached out to touch them, feeling their covers beneath my fingertips. Excitement coursed through me at the thrill of discovery and promise of new
