‘That’s because I was too angry to think straight.’ Her confidence began to return on being able to speak freely. ‘Perhaps if I were to meet her in different circumstances, it would be a different matter.’
‘Ah, but you didn’t show fear, you see, and that is not a bad thing, because once Miss Ellingham realises another female is frightened of her, she uses that knowledge against her.’
Victoria’s lips twitched with amusement. ‘Really? You make her sound like an ogre. But you must consider I was returning home to see my mother after a considerable absence. Looking my best, I wanted to surprise her.’ Standing up, she looked down and spread her arms out in a gesture to indicate her soiled skirts and sighed with dismay. ‘As you see, my carefully arranged elegance has turned into the dishevelled disarray of any village girl let loose on the moor for the day. You saw what happened, so I will not go into it again—only to say that your companion lacked the manners of a lady. I will not be browbeaten.’
‘So, it is a matter of pride as well,’ Laurence observed.
‘I suppose it is my greatest sin,’ she confessed.
‘Mine, too,’ he said with a slight smile. ‘It breeds stubbornness. But it also gives us the will to endure adversity. Did you enjoy being at the Academy?’
‘Yes, very much—although until today I would have said they had done a very good job on me, filing down my rough edges. Yet when I encountered your companion, I realised it was all wishful thinking on my part.’
‘I wouldn’t say that. You were provoked by her horse toppling you into the ditch—either that or you bewitched the beast.’
‘I did no such thing and nor was Miss Ellingham’s horse to blame. The reins were in her hands. She was in control and, in my opinion, she was riding in an irresponsible manner. Through her thoughtlessness I could have been badly hurt.’
‘You may be right. Miss Ellingham is somewhat reckless when on horseback. So, I think you were justified in anything you said. I am sorry it happened, but relieved that there was no real damage done.’
‘Thank you. It is most kind of you to say so. I’m sorry it happened, too—but not for what I said to her. Miss Ellingham was arrogant and very impolite.’
Laurence chuckled softly, finding it a refreshing change to find someone who was prepared to stand up to the formidable Clara Ellingham. ‘Forbearance, patience and understanding never were on the list of Miss Ellingham’s strong points.’
‘I am sorry if I appeared rude. I really must learn to control my temper.’
Laurence thought for a moment. So many young ladies were turned out by their mothers and governesses to a pattern—you couldn’t tell one from the other. But Miss Lewis was of a turn of character that he doubted would ever conform to type.
‘So, Miss Lewis, you have left the Academy for good.’
‘As to that I cannot say for certain. I actually finished my education last year, but knowing my heart was set on teaching, Miss Carver, who is the head of the Academy, suggested I stayed on.’
‘Is that what you want to do? Teach—like your father before you?’
‘Yes. He instilled in me the importance of education, that it is only through learning that you will get that which will make you get on in the world. He taught me in my early years and was very proud of my success in class and that I inherited his interest in mathematics.’
‘And you are not concerned that with all this learning you are in danger of being accused of being a bluestocking?’
‘Not at all. I am not ignorant of the meaning and would not be insulted of being named as such. I have enjoyed my time at the Academy, but unlike some of the pupils, who come from wealthy families and will marry gentlemen who will be delighted to marry a clever woman, as an independent woman who will have to make her own way in the world, education is important and necessary to my future.’
‘Your father would have been proud of you.’
‘I would like to think so.’ Victoria wondered what Lord Rockford would say if she were to tell him that her father’s dedication to his profession and to making sure his only child would be able to take care of herself when the time came, was due to his wife’s impassiveness and lack of involvement in both their lives, caused by her clear devotion to his own mother, her previous employer.
‘I have always had the idea of following in my father’s footsteps,’ she went on. ‘Not, of course, to go to university because ladies are not admitted, but staying on at the Academy would fit me out to be a teacher. I have my future to consider and there are few occupations appropriate for young women.’
‘I suppose a position as a governess may offer intelligent young ladies a roof over their heads.’
‘Exactly, and many gracious families prefer to employ a resident governess for the education of their daughters and younger sons than send them away to school.’
‘I suppose it is an occupation which will keep you occupied from morn till night without a moment to be spared for frivolous pastimes with which some ladies fill their days.’
‘I do not spend my days light-mindedly, sir, though I do leave myself time to do as I please.’
‘Indeed? The picture I have of you is that you do not employ yourself with useless activities.’
Victoria bristled. Was he implying that he found her uninteresting and plain? ‘We have only just met, sir. I cannot imagine that you have any picture of me in your mind. In fact, I fail to see how you have had the time to form any picture at all.’
‘I recognise an intelligent female when I see one, Miss Lewis, and I can only extend my sincerest admiration when I do.’
‘You do?’ Victoria wasn’t convinced.
‘Indeed. My mother involved herself in improving the education of young ladies—and other charitable works. She was quite the saint, in fact.’
‘I am no saint, sir. Far from it.’ The mere thought of it brought a smile to her lips.
The unexpectedness of it sent a jolt through Laurence that stole his breath and robbed him momentarily of his common sense. He, Laurence Rockford, who had stared down thieves and cut-throats on the meanest streets from Europe to America, who snapped his fingers at death, found himself mesmerised and weakened in the presence of this pretty girl. How utterly absurd!
‘And you are confident that you are competent in your subjects and able to impart your knowledge to others, are you, Miss Lewis?’
‘I hope to achieve a certificate of qualification in further education very soon. Miss Carver has encouraged my ideas—and my mother supports my ambition.’
Drawing a deep breath, Laurence regarded her with a steady gaze. At last they had got down to the reason why she was here at Stonegrave Hall. ‘You have seen your mother?’
‘Yes. She is very ill. I am grateful to you for bringing her here. I would very much like to take her home where I can take care of her myself, but I have been told the cottage has been taken from us. Is there some mistake in this?’
‘No mistake. I would say your information is entirely accurate.’
‘Forgive me if I appear confused and more than a little concerned, but I really do not understand what is happening. I return home to find I no longer have a home and my mother has been brought to live at the Hall. You must see that it is all most unusual and unsettling for me.’
The answer came, swift, decisive, and in distinctly harsher tones. ‘It must seem that way and I realise how alarmed and upset you must have been at the time.’ He gave her a narrow look. ‘Do you have an aversion to staying here?’
She searched his eyes, then looked away. The anger she had felt when Mrs