nd gestured politely towa

n, Miss

mchair, her hands clasped in her lap as

k with an air of natural authority. He studied her,

ngly soft rumble. "I confess, I didn't expect the Mother Superior to send so

took a stead

ty-five years old. I've been working

flicker of surpr

mured, tilting his he

ren. They need more than a teacher... they need a complete education: languages, com

iction. "And I am certain I can provide them with an ex

eemed to provoke a change in

he retorted coldly. "They need discipl

ld-green eyes widened, though she

who feel loved learn better. They feel

dea of being challenged

kind. "I only tolerate that formality because my parents insist

he children's education... I would like t

on immediate

n the same for decades.

e she hadn't known she possessed, "it is not an ideal environment for young ch

together on the desk,

it is." The finality in his voice was a c

erstand the other governesses followed what you deemed app

hether she was truly daring to defy him. Then, a faint smile touched the co

anishing as quickly as it appeared. "They are undisciplined

re taught to be silent and show respect for our elders. People of our station do not run, or shout, or cry in pub

traightened i

ethods that caused the others to leave

hers. He remained motionless for several seconds,

heavy she could hear her own h

ord laced with a controlled irony, "that y

eath. She knew her answer would

ourage she didn't normally possess, but o

ter," she replied, her voice a mix of firm resolve and gentle grac

if her word had struck some

arely a whisper. "So you believe y

down her spine, but her

ible. I only believe no one

s expression hardening for a brie

ho just arrived," he said coldly. "And you dare to quest

ied, her voice even. "That do

g whether the creature before him was a thr

his voice low and laced with a quie

r lips that seemed to disarm him for a fraction of a second. "You're a father who w

r a second, almost imperce

a Clara