Free Wendy Soliman by Duty's Destiny Page B

lascivious thoughts about her or demonstrate his protective instincts regarding her children. Disciplining himself to behave, Felix turned with a charming smile to Mrs. Rivers and entered into conversation with her.
    Felix anticipated that Fothergill’s manner would be truculent following the events of the afternoon, and that he would place the blame for his disagreement with his employer squarely at his door. The fact that his behaviour was completely the opposite, his manner veering toward obeisance, supplied all the proof that Felix required to confirm his suspicions. There could no longer be any question that Fothergill was in the pay of Barker and placed in this house to act as his spy.
    When the ladies withdrew and the port was circulating, Fothergill held court, much as he had the previous evening. Tonight, however, he spent an inordinate amount of time stressing the need for a permanent masculine presence in Riverside House.
    “I don’t see how two genteel ladies can be expected to run such an establishment unaided.”
    “Quite unsuitable occupation for ladies,” agreed Jennings, nodding vigorously. “Just as well you’re here permanently to keep an eye on things, Fothergill.”
    “Well, yes, it’s true that they rely upon me to an inordinate degree, and naturally, I’m more than willing to lend any assistance within my power, but should I decide to take another position in a school — ”
    “You’re considering another position?” Felix asked languidly.
    “Indeed. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that I’m in great demand. Experienced school-masters are in short supply nowadays.”
    “Then why stay here teaching two small children?” Felix leaned back in his chair, not believing for one moment that Fothergill had prospective employers beating a path to his door. He was curious to see how he’d behave when someone didn’t hang on his every word. “There must be far greater cerebral satisfaction in teaching larger numbers, to say nothing of the financial rewards.”
    “You’re in the right of it, but I’m nothing, if not a compassionate man. And how would Mrs. Rivers, and Mrs. Eden in particular, manage without me?”
    “How, indeed?” countered Felix with an ironic twist of his lips.
    “Those twins of hers are permitted to run almost wild, and had no idea how to behave. Were it not for me, I dread to think how they would turn out. Really, Mrs. Eden is far too tender-hearted for her own good.”
    Captain Fanshaw and Mr. Jennings nodded vigorously in agreement with him, the latter mumbling something about children being seen and not heard.
    Fothergill eventually came to an end of his self-serving monologue and turned to Felix, asking detailed and very pointed questions as to his reason for being in Swyre. Satisfied that Fothergill was acting upon instructions passed to him at the Swyre Inn before luncheon, he gave tantalising descriptions of the wealthy clients for whom he was commissioned to purchase certain items. Items which he’d been given to understand were available in the vicinity of Burton Bradstock, provided one knew where to look.
    There were no melodic Bach sonatas in the drawing room that evening. Instead, Mrs. Eden poured her heart into a Beethoven concerto, hammering out the chords with fury and passion. Her performance, if anything, exceeded that of the previous evening. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, interpreting the composer’s work with a fervour that suggested there was still a well of anger to be expunged in the wake of Fothergill’s harsh treatment of her son.
    To Felix, she was a compelling mixture of pride and insecurity; determination and vulnerability; tough resourcefulness and beguiling femininity. She’d attracted his interest with her fiercely independent spirit, and he was now determined to get to the bottom of her secrets, but for very different reasons to those that had originally occasioned his visit to Riverside House.
    When the