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“My husband died at sea, and as you must already knoas connected to Lady Devine’s husband through an earlier e I found myself in uncomfortable financial difficulties, and Lady Devine was kind enough to offer me this position I am content”

The marquis knew it had not been kindness that had moved Lady Devine to place Miss Sallstone at Netherby His aunt, ell acquainted with Lady Devine, had told hiiven Sallstone this position to keep her out of London Apparently Lady Devine did not wish to publicly acknowledge their connection What intrigued hio by her married name but used her maiden name, Miss Sallstone

“Content?” He questioned, one brow raised “How could that be so?”

“There are couely “But what of you, if I may be so bold? What attracts you to Netherby?”

“Beauty, Bianca Your school abounds in it Fro flowers …”

Her hazel eyes narrowed, and she responded carefully, very carefully, “Yes, soirls are quite lovely”

“I airls when they complete their term—those that are not entered into society by their relatives They are all orphans here, is that correct?”

“Yes, all our girls are orphans, each, with only a trustee h to pay their tuition Others rely on the donations of our subscribers” She sighed and did not o to stay with a relative after they leave here and will hopefully use the skills they learned at Netherby when they enter into society and are married off” A sad expression covered her face, and the marquis was struck by the depth of insincerity behind it as she said, “However, we do have girls who don’t have quite a comfortable future to look forward to We try and find them acceptable positions”

“What sorts of positions would those be?” the marquis now asked pointedly

She gave hiirls don’t have the luxury of relatives to go to after their term, so we find they irl—whatever is available Why do you ask?”

“Curiosity I would like to knohat they are able to do with the education they receive here”

“They are not thrown into the street, if that is what you are worried about We keep theht placement”

The reatcoat, put on his top hat, and held his gloves in one hand, he bent a bow to the head visit Had I not proreatly to prolong it as long as you would allow”

So in her eyes told him she was too well versed to be taken in by him He could see that not all the charm in the world would turn her head from her purpose He would have to find another way to discover what he wanted to know

She inclined her head and said softly, “Perhaps another tier?”