Free Wendy Soliman by Duty's Destiny

course, and he knew he shouldn’t permit himself to be distracted from his purpose, but it was already too late for that. He’d developed a special rapport with these delightful children, and suspected that if Mrs. Eden wasn’t capable of upbraiding Fothergill for his drink-fuelled brutality against a helpless six-year-old, then he’d feel compelled to do so in her stead.
    But Felix soon discovered that he need not have doubted her mettle when it came to protecting her children. He was leaving his room that evening, on the way to dinner, when he heard raised voices coming from the schoolroom. Naturally he stopped to listen.
    “Calm yourself, Mrs. Eden, and allow me to worry about the children’s discipline in the schoolroom,” Felix heard Fothergill saying, his oily voice oozing manly condensation.
    “Mr. Fothergill, I wish to know precisely what it is that my son did to cause you to beat him so viciously.”
    “He was rude about his French verbs,” Fothergill said shortly.
    “In what way? Had he not studied?”
    “He was word perfect.” Fothergill made this concession with obvious reluctance.
    “Then I don’t understand the problem.”
    “The problem, my dear lady, is that the twins were making fun of learning, and I regret to inform you that your new guest was entirely responsible for this lassitude.”
    “In what respect?”
    “My dear, he taught them to conjugate a verb by making up ridiculous rhymes. They thought it was fun.”
    A penetrating silence greeted this statement, but when Saskia spoke again Felix could have sworn that she was attempting to keep the amusement out of her voice. “Let me see if I understand you, Mr. Fothergill? Mr. Beaumont was good enough to assist the twins with work that I consider to be far too advanced for them — but, then, you’re already aware of my views on that subject. Mr. Beaumont managed to help them to learn their verb, and to enjoy doing so, yet you considered this to be a reason to violently punish my son.” Her voice had risen again, resonating with undiminished anger. “If that’s how you reward good conduct, Mr. Fothergill, I dread to think what could be in store for my children if they fail to learn their lessons.”
    “But, Saskia, my dear, he undermined my authority, and must be taught to respect his elders and betters.”
    Felix grunted aloud, unable to believe that even Fothergill could be so pompous.
    “It’s ‘Mrs. Eden’ to you, sir.” Felix could easily imagine her breathing deeply as she attempted to keep her temper under control. When she continued, her words were punctuated with firm determination. “Now, Mr. Fothergill, let us understand one another right well: you will never again, I repeat never, strike either of my children without my expressed permission. If I find that you’ve done so, then you will leave this house immediately. Immediately, sir! This is your last warning, Mr. Fothergill. I trust we understand one another.”
    “My dear, you don’t understand these things.” Fothergill was back to his most patronising best. “You can’t run this house and expect to keep control of the children as well. You must allow me, at least, to shoulder that burden in your stead. You know that I am exceptionally well-qualified as a teacher, and you really must permit me to know what is best for them. I would, as I’ve told you on any number of occasions, happily shoulder all of your burdens, and remain faithfully at your side as your consort.”
    Felix, still eavesdropping shamelessly, had to clench his fists and dig his fingernails into his palms to force himself not to intervene. But it appeared that Mrs. Eden had no need of his assistance, and Felix smiled as she carelessly dismissed his presumptuous proposal.
    “Mr. Fothergill, you forget yourself.”
    Felix silently applauded her handling of the situation, but suspected Fothergill thought too well of himself to detect the disdainful contempt beneath her words.
    “Your father