in her lap.
“What happened?” Edward said making sure he kept his voice low and controlled. Charles looked up and flushed, obviously feeling a bit guilty.
“I’m not exactly sure, sir,” he said. “We were simply enjoying the park when Lucy became distressed. We… well, I was speaking of my interest in courting her. I…” he paused, taking a moment to compose himself. He straightened his back and strengthened his voice, “I was telling Miss Furniss of my desire to further my ability to care for another. I was about to tell her about the position I have been offered when she became quite upset. The next thing I knew, she had practically run all the way back to Wintercrest.” Edward saw Lucy’s face and saw her embarrassment. He, unlike, Charles had instantly understood her reaction.
“Did you mention the position is that of headmaster?” Edward asked as he crossed the room to seat himself in a chair across from the couple.
Charles looked at him and nodded. “Yes, I’m sure I did. Though I don’t know what that has to do…” his voice drifted off as the truth finally dawned on him. “Oh, bloody hell,” he said quietly, shaking his head. “I have been a fool. Lucille, please forgive me. I didn’t even think about Thorne or… or what happened. Please say you forgive me. I can’t believe I was so careless,” Charles said forlornly.
Edward sat back and shook his head. Lucy responded to strength and firmness. Charles was practically begging for her understanding and Edward wondered how far his pleas would get him. Lucy looked first at Edward and then at Charles who was now seated with his blond head in his hands rather than holding her hands.
“I’m sorry, Professor Lloyds,” she finally said. “I didn’t mean to cause you discomfort. You did nothing to cause my reaction. I just heard you say that word and all I could remember was the awful things Headmaster Thorne said to me,” she confessed.
Charles lifted his head and reached for her hands again. “I promise I won’t be that kind of headmaster, Lucille. I hope you know I felt just awful about what happened. Your guardian has gone out of his way to make sure that Cressington Academy will be in far better hands. Even if those hands aren’t mine, I promise that the future students will not have to live in real fear of their headmaster.”
Lucy flushed at his reassurance. “I know, Professor. Headm… no, I don’t suppose he has that title any longer does he?”
Edward smiled and shook his head. “No, Lucille, he lost that honor the moment he discredited yours.”
She smiled and nodded, relaxing a bit before continuing, “I know you aren’t like that horrid man, Professor. I know you are kind and gentle. You have never frightened me. I know you would never hurt me or anyone. Please, sir, I have no excuse. It’s I who must ask for forgiveness.”
Edward wondered if the man seated across from him was aware of the meaning hidden in the words his young ward was speaking. She was not speaking as if she were a young woman who thought of Charles as a man she could love. Her tone was sincere, her words were kind, and yet her countenance was one of a student asking for forgiveness from a favorite teacher. Nothing in her manner showed her interest in him in any other manner. He watched as Charles closed his eyes for a brief moment and then released her hands.
“There is nothing to forgive, Miss Furniss,” he said as he shifted away from her. “You are a wonderful young woman who was treated very unfairly. I admire you so much. Please, let’s forget about this. I shall give you time to consider my words. All I can ask is that you don’t make your decision simply because of my position. I can always refuse the opportunity if you find you simply can’t tolerate me as headmaster.”
Lucy appeared quite shocked at his words as she understood Charles was giving her power that Edward knew she had never expected. She looked across the way and saw him watching her. As hard as it was to maintain neutrality, Edward gave her no clue as to what her response should be. She reached out and placed her hand on Charles’ arm.
“Thank you, Professor,” she said. “You are a good man.”
Edward could practically feel Charles cringing at her words. As kind as they were, he knew the man didn’t want