Page 73 of In Need of a Duke
“For the headmistress.” Rafe smiled proudly at his wife. “Lily is an excellent headmistress.”
“Rafe was just visiting me. He had business in this part of Town,” Lily said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Charlotte waved off her friend. “Of course not. I am so happy to see you both. It’s been far too long.”
“You frightened us,” Lily said. “That accident of yours, I was worried. We both were. Are you...?”
“I am well now,” Charlotte said.
Ian remained still, unsure of what to say or what to add, knowing full well no one wished to hear from him.
He noticed stars painted on the ceiling and stacks of paper and books across the room, and in the corner, a beautiful brass telescope.
Another knock at the door broke through the awkward silence.
Mrs. Pratt poked her head in. “Mr. Davies, your friend Liam is here. He says he has urgent business with you.”
Lily rolled her eyes and walked to the desk, lifting a pile of books. “I have something to show you, Lottie.”
“Send him up, please.” Rafe opened his timepiece and then tucked it back into his jacket, only then noticing half of his shirt was untucked. “Don’t understand why Liam is here,” he mumbled, turning his back to the rest of the room to right himself.
Ian thankfully hid his knowing smirk.
“I apologize, Your Grace,” he said, turning around to address Charlotte. “I don’t often have business follow me to the school.”
“I know why Mr. Hawkins is here,” Lily said. When her husband looked at her blankly, she continued, “Because your friend has his eyes set on one of my teachers.”
“Which teacher?” he asked, incredulous.
“Miss Sedgewick.” Lily grimaced, opening a book, then shutting it, glancing to the floor, then back at the desk. “Liam is intent on wooing her, and if I lose another teacher…”
“All right, all right. I will speak to him,” Rafe said, holding out his hands.
“No!” Charlotte and Lily said at once.
“You mustn’t intervene. Love is love,” Lily said, folding her arms.
Rafe grinned. “Very well. Love wins. Still, I best intercept him before he’s tempted to pay her a visit.”
“Pay who a visit?” Mr. Hawkins asked, entering the room.
He was tall, Irish, and dressed so well Ian thought to ask after his tailor.
“What couldn’t wait?” Rafe asked in place of a greeting.
Liam looked around the room. “I see I’ve interrupted. My apologies. I was just in this part of Town and thought I would stop by.”
“Funny,” Charlotte said, “Mr. Davies said the same.”
Lily blushed.
“May I speak with you?” Liam asked Rafe.
The two went outside, leaving Charlotte and Lily alone with Ian.
Lily exhaled, pushing back her shoulders and stretching her neck up to glare at Ian. “I suppose I no longer need to be polite, Your Grace.”
“I admit I more than deserve anything you feel the need to say,” he said.
