Page 15 of If the Duke Dares
The woman was young, perhaps in her early thirties with neatly pinned hair and a faint smile lifting her mouth. Moving closer, Persephone heard she was humming. But she looked up as Persephone approached.
“Good afternoon,” the woman said.
“Good afternoon.” Persephone glanced toward the sign. “You work here?”
Nodding, she said, “I’m the headmistress.”
Did that mean she owned the school? The day school Persephone and Pandora had attended was owned and overseen by a married couple.
While in her room at the inn, Persephone had pondered her future. She had to think her parents were furious and that they might not want to welcome her back. In that event, she would need to find employment. She’d thought of becoming a governess, but a teacher at a school would also be tolerable.
“I hope you won’t find me impertinent,” Persephone began. “I wonder how one becomes a teacher.”
“It can be difficult for a woman, and we’re only allowed to teach girls, of course.” She leaned toward Persephone and spoke in a low tone as if she were imparting a secret. “Between you and me, we’re better off. Teaching boys is much more difficult.”
Persephone laughed. “I can imagine.” Particularly since a great many of them grew into terrible men.
The headmistress straightened and held the broom handle. “If you’re looking for a position as a teacher, I’m afraid I don’t have any openings, but if you’d like to leave your name and direction, I could write to you if that changes.”
Her direction. How could she communicate that when she wasn’t even sure where she’d be tomorrow? Persephone felt a flash of fear, but she still couldn’t bring herself to regret fleeing her parents and their asinine scheme.
“I don’t know that I’m quite ready for employment, but I may be. Er, my parents are hoping I will wed, but I’m not interested in their choice.”
The headmistress’s green eyes narrowed slightly as she nodded. “I certainly know what that is like. When I turned five and twenty and was still unwed, my father gave me my modest dowry and encouraged me to find a position as a governess. And that was what I did for five years. I lived quite frugally and used my meager earnings and my dowry to buy this school from the gentleman who retired. That was four years ago.”
Four and thirty and living independently! “And you never married?”
“I didn’t have to,” she said with a broad smile. “Do you live here in Gloucester?”
Persephone shook her head. “I’m just passing through.”
“If you’re by yourself, please be careful.”
“I’ll do that, thank you.”
“And write to me when you’re ready for a teaching position.” The headmistress extended her right hand. “I’m Rachel Posthwaite. We’ll see if I can take you on.”
Persephone took the woman’s hand and shook it gently. It was the first time she’d ever shaken someone’s hand. “You don’t even know my qualifications.”
Miss Posthwaite sized her up, her gaze moving over Persephone with studious care. “I daresay you come from a landed family, perhaps even nobility. Your speech and diction are excellent and your carriage that of a lady who has been taught to walk with elegance.”
Persephone blinked at her. “You gathered all that?”
Miss Posthwaite laughed. “You remind me of myself. Take very good care, miss? Lady?”
“Miss Barclay.” Persephone realized she’d forgotten to use her alias, but supposed it was all right with this obviously kind woman. “Thank you for your generosity.”
They exchanged nods, and Persephone went on her way. Her step felt lighter, and her shoulders stood straighter. Smiling, she glanced back toward the school and saw that Miss Posthwaite was no longer outside.
Because she hadn’t been paying attention and had arrived at the corner of the High Street, she smacked directly into someone else.
“Careful there.” Hands gently clasped her upper arms to hold her steady.
That voice…
Persephone snapped her head up and gasped. It couldn’t be. Why washehere?
His dark brown eyes fixed on her, and the edge of his mouth ticked up. “I know you,” he said, smiling more widely.
