“You are very young.”
She actually laughed at that. “Four and twenty.”
Twenty-fouryears? Only four years younger than him? She ought to be married and have a child or two by now. Why hadn’t she? Was she in some sort of trouble? Perhaps an unwanted pregnancy?
“Now that we’ve established Miss Woodchurch has excellent credentials, and has taken a vow of discretion, and believes in the rights of women to seek employment, when would you like her to begin?” Beck asked jovially. “By the look of it, you have quite a lot of work to be done,” he added breezily, and gestured toward the desk.
Mateo didn’t have to look to know how much work remained. He gazed at Miss Woodchurch, she of the clear blue eyes. He didn’t know why he hesitated, why he was being fussy about it. Her situation was nothing to him. The sooner he completed this work here, the sooner he could return to Santiava. “Tomorrow,” he said flatly. “Two o’clock, if that suits Miss Woodchurch.”
Miss Woodchurch suddenly smiled, and the effect was very pleasing. That was not an ordinary smile. “It suits me perfectly. Thank you.” She put her paper back in her reticule, dipped a curtsy and said, “I won’t take any more of your time,” as if she was the person in this room to end the interview.
But end it, she did. Mateo looked at Beck.
Beck smiled. “We like to instill confidence in our girls at the Iddesleigh School for Exceptional Girls.”
“I would say you have succeeded in Miss Woodchurch.”
“Thank you!” Miss Woodchurch said.
CHAPTER FIVE
HATTIEWASAWAREthat she was striding along beside Lord Iddesleigh. Her arms and legs appeared to be functioning as they were intended, but it felt as if all the blood had drained from her limbs. She had no breath in her lungs and her heart was beating so fast she thought she might possibly be in danger of fainting.
Somehow, she’d managed to walk out of that house and carry on down the street with the earl all while newly-but-gainfully employed by the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
God help her, he was even more stunning up close. She could hardly absorb the perfection of him—from his elegant fingers to the shape of his muscular arms in his tailored coat. From his trim waist and the thin gold chain of his pocket watch to his clean-shaven face.And his eyes!They’d mesmerized her—the lashes so dark that his eyes appeared to be lined in kohl, and his irises a beautiful shade of hazel—glittering gold and green and brown. His voice, quietly deep. His accent melodious, particularly in the way he rolled hisr’s.
But it was more than that. Standing in his study, Hattie had begun to realize what a gift the position was. If she worked hard and proved herself an asset to him, the wages would provide her a path to real independence. One that could actually exist outside of her imagination.
At the corner where she and the earl would part, Hattie managed to thank Lord Iddesleigh both profusely and coherently. He said he was happy to be of service, and that he hoped she joined him and his family for tea very soon. “I shall like to hear how your employment progresses.”
Yes, yes, tea and all that. Hattie could hardly think of anything else but the viscount and the opportunity. She couldn’t wait to start.
“Miss Woodchurch,” his lordship said, and Hattie glanced up.
He put his hands on her shoulders. “Be exactly who you are. I meant what I said—this is an opportunity for you, but you must approach it confidently, with enthusiasm and a willingness to speak...much like you did today.”
“Did I speak out of turn?”
“No. You were perfect,” he assured her. “But in my experience, sometimes gentlemen need to be reminded that we are all God’s children, and not just the male sex.”
She didn’t understand him, but she swore she would do exactly as he advised before they parted ways.
THEREWASAnew grandfather clock in the foyer when Hattie arrived home, crowded in beside two more and leaving only a narrow lane to pass through. She shook her head as she slipped past and made her way to the drawing room.
Her parents were within. They were always within.
“Well?” her mother demanded, pushing cats from her lap when Hattie entered.
“He has employed me!” Hattie exclaimed happily.
“How much?” her father asked.
“I’ve already told you, Papa.”
“No, you told me what Iddesleigh said he’d offer. You didn’t take up the matter with the viscount directly? For heaven’s sake, Harriet, always inquire how much the work pays! You might have negotiated a better wage.”
She didn’t need a better wage. She would do the work for free. For the mere chance to look at him again, to be in the company of a gentleman, to wander around a fine house.
