Captain Jones's Temptation - Audrey Harrison Page 0,10

to the conversation, and his interest had been piqued at her words.

“True. But I never started this venture to make money. It was more about providing a home as well as a school for girls who might not have the security at home they deserve,” Esther said.

“You have a criteria for those wishing to attend?” Samuel asked.

“Not as such.”

“Yes, she does,” Lydia said with a grin at Esther. “I wanted to call it the school for the unlovables.” She kept her voice low so that Isabella would not overhear, although the girl seemed engrossed in whatever game she was involved with.

“Lydia! That is unfair,” Esther chided.

“It is not, for we both know it is true. You don’t accept every application you receive, and you try to give the children who are admitted what they lack in their home life,” Lydia answered.

Esther shrugged. “Is that so wrong?”

Samuel took a bite of his minted lamb and watched Esther with fascination. She had not liked Lydia revealing her motives. It seemed the mistress of the establishment had many layers. He was used to being surrounded by people who sought out only their own comfort and pleasures. It was unusual to find someone who clearly had means to live in a manner most would covet, but who had chosen a more benevolent life instead.

There it was again. Unusual. The word kept presenting itself to him. She was certainly that, he mused. And annoying. He must not forget that either, for she was most certainly annoying.

*

Esther queried whether the action was wise – actually taking Isabella out with them on a horse ride – to which, true to form, Samuel responded with derision.

“We are constantly armed, Miss Hardy,” he said.

“And you say that in order to reassure me?”

“I say it as the truth. Whether it reassures you or not is irrelevant.”

“Perhaps you should join them, Esther?” Lydia intervened before her mistress exploded, if the expression on her face was anything to go by.

Esther turned to her friend. “You could.”

“I have a class to teach, and I don’t normally accompany Isabella. You do.”

Narrowing her eyes at Lydia, Esther nodded. “Yes. Good idea, and it will mean that if you two need to react to anything, I can care for Isabella.”

“If there is a need for our intervention, we will protect the child, I can assure you,” Samuel said.

“But your company will be most welcome,” Matthew interjected before his friend received yet another scolding.

Esther gathered her skirts and, after excusing herself, went to change into her riding habit. Lydia followed her.

Esther grimaced at her friend when she had closed her chamber door. “I am too sensitive and I lose my temper. I know I do. You do not need to point it out to me.”

“That’s something, then.” Lydia smiled. She helped Esther, holding the heavy material of her dark blue riding habit. Neither wished a maid to assist them, for she would overhear their conversation, so Lydia acted as one as Esther changed her outfit. “We need to accept their presence.”

“I have.” Esther laughed at the incredulous look her friend gave her. “Truly, I have! It’s that insufferable man! Just the sight of his smug expression and I wish to pummel it off his face!”

Lydia laughed, genuinely amused. “I did not realise I boarded with such a violent individual. Perhaps I had best start carrying around my own weapon for protection.”

“Now you are being ridiculous.” Esther smiled. “If I am being honest, I’ve never felt so aggrieved with someone before. It is rather strange, the effect he has on me.”

“Especially surprising when one has to admit how handsome he is, how they both are.”

“I hadn’t noticed.”

“Fustian! You might have chosen a single life, but the last time I looked you weren’t made of stone!”

Esther sat down with a huff. Fixing her hair in her looking-glass, she looked daggers at Lydia. “I admit he is handsome. That does not help me to work out how I make things easier when I detest the man.”

“Is it that he challenges your feelings of being in control more than Captain Dunn does? For you don’t seem to hold him in such dislike, and one could argue that Captain Dunn could be the one to upset your position the most of the two of them. The servants could start looking to him as the male in the family and the head of the household,” Lydia pointed out.

With sagging shoulders, Esther nodded. “When will the uncertainty pass of not being secure in my