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Hercules stopped barking right away and put down his behind, wriggling his tail as she walked to him. A knock sounded at the door.

When she opened it, the scents of soap, sandalwood, and pepper hit her in the face as a tall, broad-shouldered figure blocked the light coming from the yard.

“Lord Richard,” she said, backing into the room.

Hercules gave him a weak, warning yelp but remained seated.

“Miss Grant,” he said with a short nod. He glanced around at the children, who gawked at the richly dressed man with curiosity. “I was hoping to talk to you.”

Jane’s lungs couldn’t take another breath for a moment. His very presence was like a second sun appearing in the sky—warm and yet odd and mesmerizing.

But she couldn’t let him interrupt her like he had yesterday, especially now that the children had come of their own accord and had been so attentive all morning.

“You must wait,” she said. “The class isn’t finished.”

He had just opened his mouth when she shut the door in his face, only it wouldn’t close all the way. She looked down to see his elegantly booted foot blocking the door.

“I apologize for interrupting,” he said with a small chuckle. His gaze dropped to Hercules. “I’ll wait. But I thought while I do, why don’t I take your beast for a walk? Would you trust your fiancé?”

Her fiancé…her skin tingled at the word, though whether it was with distress or anticipation, she didn’t know. But Hercules whined hopefully at her, his eyes wet and begging.

She sighed. Hercules was bored to death here, and the rakish lord would interrupt again, no doubt.

“Very well,” she said and put a leash on Hercules’s collar. “Be careful.” She looked him over. “There are pickpockets around. And if anything happens to my dog, I’ll find you.”

Richard’s eyes widened in surprise. She handed him the leash, and Hercules darted so quickly out the door, Lord Richard was pulled after him forcefully, leaving only the flash of his crisp white shirt against his rich purple waistcoat as he followed the dog.

Jane suppressed a smile as she closed the door.

“Who was that?” asked Lily.

Coming from a shy girl, the question made Jane chuckle.

“Your sweetheart, ain’t he?” asked Alfie with a cheeky smile.

She couldn’t tell them the truth in case it got back to Thorne. “Well, that was what he said, wasn’t it?”

A combined “ooh” sounded around the room as children exchanged meaningful smiles.

“Hold on…” said Peter. “If you wed ’im, we ain’t gotta do school no more?”

Unlike yesterday’s chaos, there was no yelling, no jumping, no throwing of paper. Just a murmur that ran through the room.

“No,” she said with her heart beating hard. Seeing these sweet faces fill with hope for the first time during their lessons this morning only to see it die again made her own heart break. If she quit the school, she’d only confirm there was no future for them besides the path of poverty and crime—a short life that would likely end at the gallows. “I won’t quit the school even if I do marry. I promise you. I’m here to stay, and I hope you are, as well.”

The very presence of Lord Richard here had been a disruption yet again. The sooner she got him the information he wanted, the sooner he’d be out of her life. The children nodded their heads, and she resumed reading.

Half an hour later, the lesson was over and it was time for lunch. Lord Richard came in with the happy, but dirty, Hercules and watched the children eat their sandwiches.

“No wrinkles on your clothes today, Lord Richard?” she asked. “What a transformation.”

He cocked his eyebrow. “I did not know my clothes concern you.”

Jane scoffed. “They do not. Why did you come?”

“I’d like to invite you for a promenade.”

“I did not know you felt compelled to spend time with me.”