Colette groaned into her hands. “How is everyone we’ve interviewed so far so ill suited for teaching boys?”
“Let’s hope this next person will be conducive, because she’s the last candidate.” Malcolm leaned back on the two legs of his chair.
A pretty girl with dark locks poked her head into the doorway. “Good morning, I’m—”
Malcolm’s chair legs slammed onto the hardwood. “Katie?”
“Malcolm Reilly?” She gasped as he stood and extended his hand.
“I thought your name sounded familiar. Patrick’s little sister all grown up. So good to see you! The last time I saw you was when you were in pigtails.”
She laughed. “It’s been quite a long time, and as you can see from my references, I go by Katherine now.” She turned her attention to Colette and curtsied. “Mrs. Olivier, thank you so much for agreeing to see me.”
Colette nodded and gestured for her to have a seat. “We were eager to meet you, Miss O’Dell, but as you and Mr. Reilly have already met, why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself?”
Miss O’Dell bubbled with enthusiasm, describing her studies and how even though she lacked experience in the classroom, she was more than ready to take on the challenge of teaching a class of rowdy boys from her experience of growing up in a houseful of brothers.
At the end of the interview, Colette knew Miss O’Dell was the one for the job even though she was slightly annoyed by how much Malcolm seemed to enjoy the young lady’s giddiness.
When Malcolm returned from taking rather a long time to show Katherine to the door, he reclaimed his seat, swiveling to face Colette. “Well, that was a pleasant surprise. She’s studied at a fine school, and while this will be her first teaching position, I think she’ll be a great fit.” He brushed off his hands as if his job were done.
“You’re certain the boys would respond well to someone so…young?” she ventured, testing to see if he thought she was indeed as pretty as her imagination led her to believe.
He grinned. “It may actually work in her favor, as they are more likely to behave for such a bonny face.”
Bonny face? She fought back a grimace, trying not to dislike the girl before she even started working. Colette stretched her back. “Well, we know for sure that the first five candidates will not be a suitable match for our school.”
“And your thoughts on Miss O’Dell? Is there anything holding you back from hiring her?” Malcolm’s brow creased.
Besides the fact that she’s gorgeous? “Her age,” she settled, leaving out her youthful glow and bright blue eyes devoid of crow’s feet.
“The boys will be respectful. I’ll see to it,” he assured her in a shielding tone, causing her heart to twitch.
Upset by her own jealousy of Malcolm’s protectiveness toward the pretty teacher, she examined her hesitation. “Well, in that case, let’s hire Miss O’Dell.”
He grinned, scraping back his chair as he stood. “I’ll go to her house at once and tell her the good news myself, and we can get started on ordering some supplies tomorrow morning.”
“Marvelous.” Colette returned his smile, praying her heart would catch up with her head.
As they walked about the parlor, Colette jotted down instructions on her notepad for the removal of the Persian rug and the antiquities, how many desks they needed, and the possible placement of the teacher’s desk.
“And speaking of the teacher’s desk,” Malcolm interjected, “have you given mind where the new schoolmarm will stay?”
“I was planning on giving her the largest west-wing room and having a sort of sitting area set up in the corner of her room. Do you think that will be to her liking? Or will she expect two rooms?”
“Miss O’Dell isn’t picky.” He pointed at a spot between the front windows. “I think she’d like to have the morning light on her papers, so let’s place the desk there.”
“You know her well enough to know that?” She bit back a snort and again questioned her animosity toward Miss O’Dell. She’s been nothing but sweet to you, so behave.
“When I stopped by her parents’ house last night, they invited me to stay for dinner and I learned a little bit more about her,” he replied, seeming not to suspect her reaction.
“That’s nice,” she murmured, thinking that it was quite the opposite of nice, and turned her attention back to the schoolroom and away from this troubling turn of events. “So, what do you think about adding bookshelv—”
“So it’s true. You really are turning your home into a school,” Norman stated from the doorway, gripping the brim of his hat. “I didn’t think I’d be hearing such life-altering news from Julia.”
Colette crossed the room, rested her hand on his arm, and lowered her voice to keep Malcolm from overhearing. “I hadn’t planned on announcing it yet. The school won’t be ready until mid-August.”
“Then don’t. It’s absurd to devote the best years of your life to a houseful of children,” he growled, his brows knitting together.
“You forget that you were the one who encouraged me.” Colette gave him a wink to smooth his temper as she threaded her arm through his and led him out to the garden, hoping the fresh air would cool his temper.
He frowned as he flung open the garden gate, stepping onto the public sidewalk.
“You’re angry with me, aren’t you?”
He looked down at her, the darkness in his features fading as he cupped her cheek. “I’m merely concerned and a bit hurt you didn’t feel the need to confide in me of your plans and that I had to find out about this from your sister.”
She inclined her head, understanding his point of view. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you in person, but when I tried to tell you at the dinner, you dismissed it.”
“I didn’t know you were so serious about it.” His voice strained, and clearing his throat, he tugged on his hat. “I suppose you still need an hour before the dinner party to dress, so I’ll take a walk.”
“Won’t you wait for me in the parlor? I lost track of time, but I can be ready in a half hour.” She attempted to stay him.
“I could use the walk to calm down. I won’t be much of a dinner partner if I’m sullen.” He dug his fists into his pockets and trudged down St. Charles Avenue. “I’ll see you in a bit, Colette.”
Her family did not take the news well. After an awkward dinner of her parents trying to convince her to fulfill her calling in a less expensive way, she flung her skirts behind her as she stepped down from the carriage onto her drive, ignoring Norman’s offered hand.
“Colette.” He grasped her by the elbow, stopping her. “Please don’t be angry with me. I was taken aback by your determination to open this school. I had thought that you were taking time to recover after your mourning period, but now that you’re spending most of your fortune on this place, I think it’s time I step in with some advice.”
“You already tried that at dinner and it didn’t quite work out for you.” So you best bide your tongue, she finished in her head.
“Yes, and I wish to apologize for my overbearing tone earlier,” he replied, drawing her hand in his.
“Oh?” The tension in her shoulders lessened a fraction.
“However, I do believe in the message I was attempting to convey,” he finished.
Unbelievable. She dropped her hand from his grasp and marched toward the garden, fearing what she might say in her anger. “I don’t need your approval.” She shoved open the iron garden gate. “Honestly, Norman, I thought you would be more supportive, especially after you defended me at dinner tonight.”
“Your father’s friends had no business offering their opinion, but as we are courting, I believe I can be concerned!”
She clenched her jaw, swallowed back her retort, and barely resisted slamming the gate between them. “You are crossing the line.”
“Crossing a line? I thought we were more than casual acquaintances. Doesn’t that give me a right to an opinion?”
Her cheeks flushed. “An opinion, yes, but authority, no. Until all of this settles down, I think we need to take some time to reevaluate our relationship.”
He inhaled deeply as he halted her promenade, grabbing her hand and gently pulling her toward him. “Colette.”
Norman gave her the smile that she knew melted girls’ hearts everywhere, except tonight. It wouldn’t work. She looked down to avoid his hypnotic stare and keep her thoughts clear. “No. I won’t discuss this with you any further tonight.”
“I think, my dear Colette, that we are just too different.”
Her startled gaze met his. “What?”
“We want different things. Even though it’s your spirit that has always drawn me to you, I’m too traditional for you, my dear girl.” Norman stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I want to be with you, but not enough to share you with a houseful of boys that are not ours.”
Colette’s shoulders caved as the wind left her lungs. Surely he isn’t leaving me a second time? “Are you certain?”
He lifted her chin and tenderly kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry, but I think we are better off as friends, and if you really think about it, you know I’m right.”
The doubts she had not wanted to admit having rose, and instead of being crushed once more, she knew he was right. “I’m sorry.” She reached up to brush a curl from his forehead. “I’m sorry I could not be the girl you left behind.”
With a tender smile, she slipped inside to find Malcolm packing away the last of the parlor’s antiques in an open crate. “Oh, you didn’t have to do this. I was going to finish up tonight,” she said, setting down her reticule on the settee and stiffly peeling off her gloves, still in shock over Norman.
“I don’t mind,” he replied, tucking a figurine in the straw. “How was dinner?”
She laughed without mirth. “Well, between Norman and Julia, the news was released prematurely. One would have thought that I was committing a felony with the way everyone responded.” She removed the last vase from the fireplace mantel and handed it to Malcolm.
“Well, I’m sure they did think of it as a crime,” Malcolm replied as he hefted the crate into his arms.
“What on earth do you mean?” she asked, following him up the stairs to the east wing.
“They raised you to marry into a fortune, and now that you have access to do what you will with it, you are doing the very opposite of what they intended,” he surmised, setting down the crate outside her door.
“The opposite being?”
“Spending it on the family or using it to raise your station in a way that would still support them. You have to be strong in your decision. The school opens in two weeks, so now is the time to back out if you need to.”
“No, absolutely not. I’ve tried their way before and I was miserable.” She leaned against her door and looked up to him. “Do you think I’ve taken leave of my senses? That I’m letting my feelings carry me away?”
He took her hands in his, and with kindness in his voice, he whispered, “I think what you are doing is a mighty fine thing. You’re going to change the lives of hundreds.”
At his words, she found herself flooded with strength. She thought of Norman’s aversion to her calling and of Malcolm’s opposite reaction. Is this what love is meant to be like? If only I’d had Robert’s support, how different my life would’ve been.