A Matter of Scandal Read Online Free Page A

months, another indication that she needed to visit more often.
    “Emma.”
    She turned as the earl hurried into the room to take her hand. His color seemed high, and she abruptly wondered why he had needed to see her so urgently. “My lord. I hope all is well with you and Lady Haverly?”
    “Oh, yes. Fine, fine. I didn’t mean to take you away from your students.”
    “We were rehearsing Romeo and Juliet . I don’t think anyone will miss me.”
    His smile, before always warm and open, seemed to have developed a tic. “I find that difficult to believe. But take a seat, if you please. I…need to discuss something with you.”
    Emma seated herself before the desk and folded her hands in her lap. “I was glad you sent for me, actually. It’s been too long since we’ve chatted, and I wanted your opinion on something.”
    The earl cleared his throat. “Well. Ladies first, then.”
    Something was definitely going on. As she’d taught her students, though, one didn’t pry. “All right. You know my aunt began restoration and repairs on the various parts of the Academy that were beginning to show their age. In the two years since Aunt Penelope passed away, though, I’m afraid I haven’t kept up the project as I should have.”
    “You can’t blame yourself for that. I know how busy you’ve been, my dear. Taking on the running of the Academy at the age of three and twenty wasn’t easy on you, and you can’t convince me otherwise.”
    She smiled. “Thank you. Even so, it would be decidedly unwise to wait much longer. The stable roof is a sieve, and I’m afraid the north wall might collapse in the next strong wind. So, I was wondering whether you were still willing to consid—”
    He stood, the speed of the movement startling her. “Speaking of your aunt,” Haverly rushed, striding around the desk and sitting again, “I’m—I’m going to have to raise the Academy’s rent.”He pushed a paper toward her. “Here are the calculations and the terms. If you’ll sign at the bottom, we can conclude this as painlessly as possible, and then we can have some apple tarts in the garden. I know you like apple tarts. Regina had Mrs. Muldoon bake them especially for you.”
    Emma looked at him. The earl seemed utterly serious, and yet…she forced a laugh. “My goodness. If you keep this silliness up, I shall have to make you pay a shilling to see our play.”
    “It’s…well, it’s not silliness, Emma. I hate to do it, but it’s become unavoidable.”
    Emma glanced down at the paper he’d placed in front of her. Her heart skipped a beat as she read through the figures and the precise, legal-sounding terms. “This is triple what the Academy’s been paying.”
    “Yes, I know, but I haven’t increased the rent in…in a very long time.”
    She shot to her feet. “That is certainly not my fault!”
    His ruddy complexion darkened. “Now, now,” he said, patting the top of the desk, “I know that. Calm yourself, Emma. Please.”
    Emma forced herself to sit again, despite an unladylike urge to throw something. “You and my aunt, and you and I, have had a very cordial relationship. I consider you a dear friend, Lord Haverly.”
    “And I you,” he returned in a soothing tone. “This is not personal, I assure you. If it makes you feel any better, Wycliffe has had me increase the rent of all my tenants. Everyone’s been quite understanding.”
    So this was that Wycliffe person’s idea . Handsomeor not, Emma decided that she didn’t like the golden lion at all. Not one whit. “If your other tenants are paying you more, there’s very little reason for the Academy to do so,” she said, trying for her calmest tone. She was very logical; everyone always told her that was her strongest suit. “We are an institution of learning. Surely for that reason alone the Academy deserves special consideration.”
    A muscle in his round cheek twitched again. “Well, I—”
    “And Miss Grenville’s Academy has earned a