Page 41 of The Duke of Desire
They moved into the dim interior of the workhouse. Lady Wendover stood off to the side and beckoned everyone to join her. Emmaline let go of Ivy’s arm as they walked forward. Ivy took a position near the countess, eager to hear about her endeavors. She waited patiently as people continued to file into the space.
She momentarily froze as West came inside. He seemed somehow larger than everyone and, idiotically, it suddenly felt as though they were the only two people there. Heat rushed over her, and she averted her gaze. But then he came and stood right beside her. She couldn’t move away without drawing attention to herself, which she didn’t want to do.
Which meant she was trapped. Next to him.
She did her best to ignore his presence.
West was one of about five gentlemen who’d come into town, but he noticed that he and the young Matthew Travill were the only ones who’d come into the workhouse. The others had gone to the pub down the street. Axbridge had remained at Greensward and had mocked West for going, which West had taken good-naturedly. He wasn’t about to tell the marquess the real reason he’d come, which was simply to be closer to Miss Breckenridge.
Damn, hestilldidn’t know her name. Although her reaction to Mary had been interesting. He supposed she could’ve just tripped, but there’d been a look in her eye that told him it had been more than that. He wondered if Mary really was her name, and she just hadn’t wanted to admit it.
Lady Wendover began speaking about the workhouse and introduced the man who supervised the operation, who had been an inmate years ago. A tall but slight man with a bright thatch of blond hair and brilliant blue eyes, he spoke at length about the number of people they served as well as the assistance they offered. People were encouraged to donate funds, either here or at a workhouse in their district.
Miss Breckenridge raised her hand. “Excuse me, Mr. Lunden. What sort of education do you provide?”
He nodded vigorously. “An excellent question. We typically employ a schoolmistress, but our last one left to accept another post. We are in search of a replacement.”
Miss Breckenridge gave a slight nod. “I may know of someone who would be interested. I shall have her inquire.”
Lady Wendover looked at Miss Breckenridge with thinly veiled impatience. West recognized superiority when he saw it. “Shall we start the tour?” the countess asked.
Intending to walk with Miss Breckenridge, he had to settle for following behind her when she joined Mr. Lunden. They immediately launched into a discussion of the daily routine at the workhouse.
“How many of the inmates are on staff here?” she asked, tipping her head toward him as they walked into the main work hall.
“Just a handful, since we’re so small,” Lunden replied. “We have two housekeepers, a nurse, and an older girl who helps in the kitchen, and an older boy who is learning to be a clerk.”
Miss Breckenridge revealed one of her rare smiles. It was warm and made her entire face glow. West was absolutely captivated. “How wonderful,” she said.
“It would bemorewonderful if we could find another schoolmistress posthaste. Do you really know someone?”
“Yes. I often visit a workhouse in London where I teach the illiterate women to read. There’s a young woman there who is quite intelligent and has been helping the schoolmistress. She’s more than ready to go out on her own.”
Lunden beamed, his eyes crinkling with appreciation. “Splendid. It’s always so rewarding to see an inmate achieve success. I’d be delighted to conduct an interview.”
“I’ll just need to arrange transportation,” Miss Breckenridge said. “That may take me a little bit as we won’t be returning to London until later in the fall. I will make some inquiries.”
West couldn’t help offering assistance. Her passion for this cause was contagious. “If you would permit me, I’ll have my secretary arrange for her transportation as soon as possible. I’ll dispatch a letter as soon as we return to Greensward.”
Both Miss Breckenridge and Lunden paused, their heads swiveling toward West in unison. “That would be most kind of you,” Lunden said.
“Indeed,” Miss Breckenridge murmured. She didn’t quite meet his eyes. He wondered why.
They continued touring the workhouse, and throughout, she asked thoughtful questions and displayed a thorough knowledge. She clearly had extensive experience with workhouses, and West couldn’t wait to ask her about it. She was full of intriguing surprises.
At the conclusion of the tour, Miss Breckenridge turned to Lunden and thanked him for his time. She made her way directly to Lady Dunn, where they conversed for a few moments. Lady Dunn nodded enthusiastically at something, and then Miss Breckenridge retraced her steps to Lunden.
West had just finished giving him the name of his secretary. “Expect a letter from him detailing the transport of the potential schoolmistress.”
Lunden inclined his head. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Miss Breckenridge glanced at West but focused her attention on the supervisor. “Mr. Lunden, I’ve arranged to come here every day for the remainder of the house party—it’s just a week, I’m afraid—to help with schooling.”
That was what she’d been speaking to her employer about.
Lunden’s eyes lit, and he smiled with gratitude. “That would be most considerate—and helpful.”
“Excellent, I shall see you tomorrow morning at ten.” She knew what time to come from their prior discussion of the daily routine.
