Fencing for Ladies (The Archer Family Regency Romances #5) Read Online Free Page B

even more anxious to inspect the school than she was.
    “Yes.” She tugged on his arm. “Will you please walk at a reasonable pace? I refuse to run all the way to Cavendish Square.”
    “Of c-course, yes,” he agreed hastily. He moderated his long stride for two steps before pulling her forward again. He was obviously in a good mood and feeling confident, since his stutter had nearly vanished as he chattered about a pair of grays he was considering acquiring for his high-perch phaeton.
    She sighed, took a deep breath, and rushed forward at a rapid walk that was really more of a run while he changed topics to the weather, horse racing, and any other topic that passed through his mind.
    At the corner of Mortimer Street, Peregrine jerked to a quivering halt like a Spanish pointer spotting a pheasant in the field. “Isn’t that your friend, Miss Denholm, ahead of us?”
    Sure enough, the majestic form of Miss Denholm strode forward at a clipping rate, the fluffy white plumes on her green silk bonnet waving well above the hats of the other pedestrians as her long stride carried her past them.
    Rude though it might be, Olivia didn’t want to spend the afternoon providing Cynthia with a tour of the academy. She needed to make sure the rooms were clean and prepared for students, and she simply didn’t want the distraction of her friend’s boisterous presence.
    “Yes—”
    “If w-we hurry, we can catch her.” He yanked her forward a step.
    She pulled back and stood flatfooted on the walkway, resisting her brother’s efforts long enough to see Miss Denholm disappear around the next corner. “There — she is gone now. No point in galloping after her.”
    “We would have c-caught up with her if you’d hurried.” He flicked her a curious glance. “I thought she was your friend — one w-would think you didn’t even want to greet her.”
    “Yes, one might think that,” Olivia answered sweetly, applying a gentle pressure to her brother’s arm to encourage him to proceed. She glanced at the gray sky above. Beneath the ever-present city odors of smoke and horses, she thought she could smell the crisp scent of snow on the moist, chilly wind that whipped past them. “However, I am sure Miss Denholm is as anxious to reach her destination as we are. There is snow in the air — I am sure of it.” She glanced sideways at Peregrine and grinned. “And I thought you were anxious to see the academy for the first time.”
    “Certainly — just forgot about it for a minute.” His pace increased once more until she was trotting again to keep up with him.
    When they finally turned onto Mortimer Street, she was breathing heavily, although she refused to give in to her breathlessness and kept her mouth clamped shut.
    “You need a sign, Ollie,” Peregrine said as he opened the creaking gate for her. “Something with lots of gold and such.”
    “A discreet bronze plague next to the door is quite sufficient. Once the academy is flourishing, that is.” She went past him to climb the three steps to the doorway and pulled a large keyring out of her silk damask reticule.
    “You will never get students t-that w-way!” he exclaimed. “Here. Let me.” He grabbed the clanking ring of keys from her hand, pushed her aside, and opened the creaking door. He waved his right hand with a flourish. The leather soles of his boots crunched on the marble floor, and he glanced down briefly. “Enter at w-will, Ollie. All is w-well except for a bit of d-dust.”
    Olivia entered, took the keys from his grasp, and returned them to her reticule. Despite the thick soles of her walking boots, she could feel the grit on the floor. Apparently, Mrs. Adams hadn’t been there to clean yet. That would have to be corrected before tomorrow. If she had to, she’d send Mary and a few of their maids first thing in the morning to at least sweep the floors and dust the furniture in her office, the sitting room, and the ballroom where lessons would be