“Yes, of course,” she agreed with deceptive smoothness. “And compared with ‘important government work,’ what does the welfare and happiness of your sisters matter? Forgive me, I meant yourhalfsisters.”
The implication that they mattered less to him because they were only half sisters was infuriating. Vixen. She had the ability to deliver the sharpest of insults in the subtlest of ways. It reminded him of—
“You taught my sister Rose quite a bit, didn’t you?” He put a slight emphasis on the wordsister.
She frowned at the abrupt change of subject but responded coolly, “I taught both your sisters.”
“Did you indeed? Then why can’t Lily read? You seem competent enough.” It was deliberate provocation. He was interested to see how she’d respond.
She met his gaze squarely. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t know or don’t care?” Her eyes flashed. Ah, that touched a nerve.
Her mouth tightened. “Lily is a dear, sweet girl who has tried harder to learn than any pupil I have ever known. I have tried every method of instruction I know, and some unorthodox methods as well. It is a mystery to me—and a tragedy—that she can still barely read or write.”
“You’re telling me my sister is stupid?”
“She is notat allstupid,” she said fiercely. “But for some reason known only to God, she cannot learn to read or write.”
“Can she count?” There was that flash again.
“She can count,” she said evenly. “She cannot, however, do simple sums—not on paper.”
“Anything else she cannot do?”
“She gets her left and right mixed up.”
“Is that all?”
She glared at him. “Isn’t that enough for the poor child to deal with?”
He shrugged and got up to leave. “It need not be a huge disadvantage in the long run. Most men don’t look for brains in a wife, and as you say, Lily is very sweet-natured.”
Miss Westwood clenched her fists. “Lord Ashendon.”
He waited, one brow raised.
“Lily is affectionate, intelligent, loyal and hardworking! Only a bully punishes a person for what she cannot help.”
He gave her a flinty look. “I don’t bully my sisters, Miss Westwood. I’m trying to help them.”
She looked him straight in the eye. “No, you’re trying to get them off your hands with the least amount of trouble to yourself.”
It was just close enough to the bone to have Cal’s own fists clenching. Damned impertinent schoolmistress. He gave her a curt nod. “Good day to you, madam.”
***
Well! Emm sat for a moment after Lord Ashendon had left. Double her current wage! It was a very generous offer.
Had Miss Mallard not decided this morning to offer her the headmistress position, she might have accepted his job.
His job.
When the message had come to her this morning that Lord Ashendon was downstairs asking to speak to her, all kinds of thoughts had rushed through her mind. Foolish thoughts. Scandalous thoughts.
And when he’d stood there at the beginning, staring at her mouth, her heart started thumping in her chest when she thought... wondered if he was going to ask her to become... But of course, she was foolish even thinking it.
Luckily she hadn’t said a thing, because he’d apologized for the kiss—it was the brandy, after all—and made her a job offer. Governess. Companion. Duenna to his sisters.
