Page 9 of The Earl Next Door
She spoke to her brother-in-law regarding the insensitivity of the rule, but he brushed aside her concerns about how unfair it was to make them watch and wait their turn to search for their loved ones’ possessions until after they had been picked over and disturbed by others. The new earl considered her anxiety a part ofher grieving and suggested she wait in the carriage for him. That’s when Adeline knew she wanted to do something to help the wives, the daughters, and the sisters of the men who’d worked on theSalty Dove. At the time, she didn’t know what it would be, but with some thought she realized the best way to help the families was to educate and teach their girls a skill so they could one day earn a wage. There were boarding schools where boys were educated and learned skills. Why couldn’t there be one for girls, too? Learning to sew would be a respectable way for them to earn a living.
After coming to that conclusion, she hesitantly mentioned it to Julia and Brina. To her delight they were eager to be included. Like Adeline, neither was interested in marrying again, and they were intrigued by the idea of doing something more useful and worthy than simply reentering Society after their time of mourning ended.
It hadn’t been easy. None of it had. Not finding the place for the school or the families of the workers. Her solicitor, Mr. Clements, had been a tireless advocate from the moment she mentioned her plan to him. With more diligence than she ever expected, he secured the large property from an elderly gentleman named Mr. Bottles. The house had a separate building that had housed the servants. It was situated in the middle of a privately secluded cul-de-sac near the business section and not far from the park. Everything about it suited their needs perfectly for the school.
Mr. Bottles finally agreed to sell after they agreed to let him name the school. That was the easiest thingabout starting the school. It took time to find the families, explain to them what the widows wanted to do, and talk them into allowing the girls to come live at the boarding school, a way of life that was usually made available only for boys. The girls would be taught to read and write as well as learn the seamstress trade. With Mr. Clements’ invaluable assistance, it had been accomplished. Adeline, Julia, and Brina realized they couldn’t help the families of all the workers on theSalty Dovewho had perished that day. That task would have been impossible. But they could help some of their young daughters and sisters who would be nearing the age to learn a trade.
The nine girls who would be attending the school wouldn’t have to worry about not being prepared to find employment one day as had their mothers near the docks that foggy afternoon. They would be taught the differences between fine threads for sewing and embroidery and thicker threads for darning and knitting. They would learn the distinctive textures and costs of fabrics. The way to pleat, gather, and rush them. How to cut and sew them into clothing and draperies. Some would learn how to cover hats in a decorative fashion with feathers, beads, and ribbons while others would learn to make the delicate silk roses, fancy knitted lace, and perfect satin bows that decorate the gowns ladies of Polite Society wore. At the school, they would each be free to go in the direction their talents took them. Once they accomplished their skills and came of age, Adeline would see to it they gained employment at a reputable shop so they could earn a wage and help take care of themselves and their families.
“Lady Wake?”
Startled from her pensive thoughts, Adeline immediately knew that masculine voice coming from behind her. The earl. Despite her intentions to remain unaffected when she next encountered him, her heartbeat faltered. Her throat thickened. Her breaths became shallow and fast. Didn’t he know he was the last person she wanted to see again? Ever. He’d insulted her. Angered her. Caught her in a weak moment indulging in a young lady’s fantasy. Worst of all, he’d made her want to think about the actual possibility of warm embraces, sweet kisses, and soft touches.
Slowly, she turned. Her gaze fell on a wide chest and strong-looking shoulders covered by a crisp white shirt and neckcloth, dark green waistcoat, and chocolate brown coat. Lifting her lashes, her gaze rose up to the clean-shaven, handsome face of Lord Lyonwood, standing on his property just beyond the waist-high garden wall, staring intently at her. Oh, he was a splendid-looking man. Whoever invented the worddashingmust have been looking at a painting of the earl. Yet, there was something more than just the build of his body or the handsomeness of his face that conveyed his strength. Something she sensed inside him that she couldn’t yet decipher.
It was maddening that just the sight of him made her think about being cuddled against his chest. And the intensity in his expression made her wonder if he might be sensing some of the same feelings that affected her.
Not that either of them wanted it. Adeline was dismayed he’d seen her so openly displaying her womanlylongings, and though he’d hid it well that afternoon, she knew he must be angry that she’d slapped him even though she had just cause. It certainly wasn’t the sort of action anyone would welcome. But it was as if none of those things seemed to matter when they looked into each other’s eyes. The yearning for something more was there between them. She couldn’t deny it and had no idea what to do about it.
“What are you doing here?” she asked a little more abruptly than she’d intended, but he unsettled her in a way that made her wary.
“I came outside to see if you were all right.”
“Yes, of course,” she answered, her tone returning to normal. “You can see I am. That is, I was before you startled me. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know,” he said, walking closer to the withered vine-covered border between them. “That’s why I came out. I noticed you standing here and wanted to make sure nothing was wrong.”
It seemed strange hearing genuine concern in his voice and seeing it in his expression after their last meeting. There was a long moment of silence as each took in what the other had said. His eyes were as gray as she remembered. She tried to stop the fluttering in her chest with a deep breath, but it wouldn’t cease. When her gaze met his it was as if she couldn’t control her senses or feelings. Feathery wisps of sensual awareness curled through her and made her even more curious about him. It made her want to forget the disaster of their first meeting, especially his ungentlemanly behavior, and indulge in all the experiences her sensations offered.
“You can see, I’m perfectly fine,” she insisted softly. “What made you think there is anything wrong with someone standing alone in their garden on a beautiful spring day?”
“You hadn’t moved.”
She thought about that. “Really? I mean, surely not.”
“You’ve been in the same place, looking at the same spot for a very long time.”
He was watching her. For a fraction of a moment it seemed a heavenly thought that he was interested enough to do so, but her rational mind quickly returned. With it came the memories of when her husband had her monitored each day so she wouldn’t do anything strenuous. She hastily brushed aside those unpleasant feelings and asked, “How would you know that? Were you deliberately observing me, my lord?”
“Do you really think that?” he asked skeptically.
“Shouldn’t I? First you invade my home and now it appears you have been watching me in my garden.”
He grimaced for a moment or two and then his features relaxed into more of an amused expression. “You think I’ve been spying on you from afar?”
Did she?
“That’s what it sounds like to me,” she suggested, trying to sound outraged or at least serious, but wasn’t sure she had because her body and mind betrayed her again by thinking she wasn’t so sure she would have minded if it had been true. Confused by her own scandalous thoughts and irritated by his amusement over the idea of her assumption, she quipped, “I discovered the other afternoon the sort of things you are capable of doing, my lord, and they aren’t gentlemanly.”
“Let me put your mind at ease. No,” he said emphatically, placing the palm of his hands on the top of the wall and leaning toward her.
The strength of his grip on the stone communicated his message more than the words he spoke. Though he was still some distance from her, it was almost as if she felt his heat, caught his scent, and sensed his power as surely as she had when he held her front door shut and was so close his breath fluttered against her cheeks.
“What happened in your home was a regrettable error, Lady Wake, and I wasn’t watching you earlier. There was nothing intentional about noticing you standing so still for so long. Every morning I tie my neckcloth where I can see out the window to this section of your garden. It’s natural for me to look out.”
Adeline glanced over his shoulder in the direction of his house. The first and second floors could be seen clearly from where she was standing.Oh.She swallowed hard, believing his explanation.
After all, he was her neighbor. That wasn’t something that was going to change in the foreseeable future. It would be best if they forgot the past and were civil if not trusting of each other. He’d obviously made the first move toward that end by coming over to inquire about her well-being, and she would do the right thing and meet him halfway.
