Forty-one #2
“Now that we may speak, I will answer your question.” Strolling down the empty corridor, Fort held her ungloved hand as if he had a right to do so.
“I have been embarrassed and humiliated so many times that I no longer care what people think of me. My brothers are all much larger, more athletic, and more charming than I am. If I so much as glanced at even a dairy maid, they would sweep her off. They beat me at boxing and archery and hunting. As I’ve mentioned, I attempted London, but found I had nothing to say to simpering misses.
Even though I was laughed at for always having my head in a book, I failed school.
I spent most of my days teaching myself subjects that interested me and regularly skipped classes. ”
“I did that,” she whispered, almost in shock at hearing this tale from the confident tutor who had turned the boys from non-talking hermits into active participants.
“I couldn’t read the books, but I could read patterns and copy designs.
Everyone laughed at me until I showed them what I could do for their wardrobes. ”
“I hope you slit their seams, but you didn’t, did you? You made them respect your talent.” He sounded as if he admired her lack of education.
He was seducing her with words. She shivered at how easy it was, how much she longed for understanding and acceptance.
As did he? She glanced sideways at Fort’s handsome profile as they strolled into one of the empty chambers that had so recently been filled with arguments and laughter. He seemed unconcerned by his lack of accomplishment—because he was confident that he was worthwhile?
But he was a duke’s son and she was a bastard. She had no reason to believe in her worth. He did.
“You know all the things in books and more,” she protested.
“You read all Humphries’ correspondence and Carpenter’s notebook and Perser’s ledgers and worked out the whole evil plot.
If not for you, your brother might still be under attack and the Priory might be in the hands of gamblers and perverts. ”
“Under the law, your actor friends are perverts,” he admonished. “Theft and murder are far more perverted but we never call them so.”
‘See, I am ignorant.” They had strayed too far from the argument, leaving her more confused. “You can think circles around me.”
“Ignorance can be educated,” he said quietly. “Stupidity cannot. You are not stupid. You realize that, don’t you?”
“It is no matter what I think if all everyone else sees is a pretty face and big bosoms. I’ll have to be old and gray before any one listens to what I think.” Although, even as she said that, she realized Fort was listening. She didn’t know how to describe the sensation that engendered.
He sent her one of his wicked smiles that set her heart racing. “As I well know, being ignored can be a very valuable asset. I do not wish to be sought out for my noble connections, but as no more than a tutor, I am seen by no one—except you.”
Uncertain how to respond—no one noticed him? How was that possible? She tried to explain. “You gave me a bird book that you painted yourself, one I could read. How could I not notice you? Why did you call yourself Birdwhistle?”
“Can I be allowed to court you? Because I’ll not tell the tale otherwise. I’ve already humbled myself as much as I dare for fear of putting you off.”
Courted, by a duke’s son. With marriage and not seduction in mind.
Impossibilities loomed large, if she gave them any thought, but she was more inclined to do than think.
She enjoyed his company and learning all the things he taught her.
“I think what we’re doing right now is courting, isn’t it? Discovering more about each other?”
He beamed as if she’d handed him silver and gold, or perhaps, in his case, a rare book.
He drew her arm through his, bringing them closer as they walked the perimeter of the chamber.
“When my older brothers went hunting and riding, they’d always leave me in their dust. So I learned to climb trees and imitate the sound of pheasants.
Drove them mad. And then I got bored and practiced other bird sounds.
To keep my hands occupied, I sketched the birds I imitated.
I became rather proficient at both, until they realized what I was doing.
They’ve called me Birdwhistle ever since. ”
“They mocked your talent because they couldn’t do what you could!” Lavender understood mockery. Children were cruel.
He shrugged. “By that time, it didn’t matter. I’d found books and lost interest in their pursuits. And not long after, I was tutoring them and Weston’s sons and they tried not to annoy me too much.”
“Have you ever thought of having a school of your own?” she asked tentatively, worrying about how his active mind might be occupied once the boys left for school.
“I have,” he admitted. “If I find a suitable place I might rent on my allowance. I can’t say tuition would cover expenses, though.
I’d hate to turn away promising students who couldn’t pay.
And my father will never support such an enterprise.
I suppose I should start looking, though, if I mean to settle down. ”
He glanced down at her. “I am assuming you wish to settle here?”
Her turmoil gradually eased now that she knew he listened.
“I’d like to travel a little, so I won’t remain ignorant.
But this is my home. We don’t pay rent, so expenses are simple.
” She gestured at their surroundings. “If you brought in more teachers, Oliver and Davy would fare better here, in familiar surroundings, would they not? And there are empty bedchambers above this wing that might house teachers and more boys?”
She winced as she noted the faded murals they strolled past. Nude fairies would have to go.
Not noticing lewd walls, Fort studied her with what almost appeared as awe. “Start small, build a reputation, save money to buy land and build? You dream large.”
Lavender nodded, “It’s how I survived school. It never hurts to dream. But you should own land as well, so you can vote. If nothing else, it will annoy Weston.”
He laughed, leaned down, and kissed her.
And it was the most beautiful first kiss she could ever have imagined, had she ever thought to imagine one. So she kissed him back.
She was quite certain birds sang in the autumn trees.