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An idea suddenly came to Athena. Their hostess had just mentioned how much she enjoyed hearing books read aloud.

Athena’s mother used to read to her and her siblings when they’d been young.

Upon that dear woman’s death, Athena’s sister Diana had taken on that task and read aloud to them from the trove of books in their mother’s library, beginning with simple stories and progressing to more complicated works.

In time, they had all taken turns reading aloud to each other.

Throughout their years as governesses, Athena and her sisters had continued the practice.

By now, Athena had read aloud from so many hundreds of books, the occupation felt to her as natural as breathing.

“Would you like me to read a couple of chapters of the book aloud to you?” Athena offered.

“Oh! Would you?”

“It would be my honor. Although perhaps I should wait until you and Mr. Vernon have gone over his drawings?” Athena checked the time. It was just after four o’clock. “Or I could return another day. My sister and I must be home before six in time for dinner.”

“No, no, go ahead and read now,” Mr. Vernon insisted. “My drawings can wait until you’ve finished. And I admit, I should like to hear something by this author you’re all so keen about.”

“Very well, then.” Athena sat back down, opened the book, and began to read. “It was a blustery day in mid-November when Lydia Penrose decided to become a pirate…”

As she read The Wind Pirate , Athena did her best to narrate with enthusiasm and to imbue each character with their own distinct personality and voice. As usual, she got so caught up in the story, she was barely aware of the other people in the room.

When she’d finished the second chapter and raised her gaze from the pages, she was pleased to see that Mrs. Hillman was smiling.

Selena’s features were suffused with pride and affection.

For some reason, it was suddenly important to Athena that Mr. Vernon should approve.

She turned to face him—and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

He was sitting forward in his chair, his eyes glossy and bright. And he broke into applause. “Bravo, Miss Taylor.”

“Yes, bravo!” Mrs. Hillman clapped along. “That was the finest reading I have heard in years.”

“Thank you, but all the credit goes to the novelist. I merely brought his words to life.”

“Nonsense!” Mrs. Hillman insisted. “You performed those words with great skill! Why, I believe you could go on the stage, Miss Taylor.”

“I have tried reading to her myself, to no avail,” Mr. Vernon admitted.

“Ian is a master when it comes to architecture and design but ask him to read aloud and he’ll put you straight to sleep.

You , on the other hand, have talent. It is a rare gift to be able to read aloud like that.

” Mrs. Hillman paused as if thinking and then said, “Miss Taylor. I have a proposal to make.”

“‘A proposal’?” Athena repeated.

“I believe your school to be a worthy endeavor. I gather that funds might be scarce at present. I should like to help by making an endowment to the institution of a hundred pounds.”

“A hundred pounds!” It was princely sum.

“Mrs. Hillman! That is very generous of you,” Selena cried. “And very appreciated.”

“I do have one little request to make,” Mrs. Hillman added with a smile.

“There’s always a little request,” noted Mr. Vernon, his lips twitching.

Mrs. Hillman eyed Athena directly. “I should like you, Miss Taylor, to read aloud to me. Twice a week, here at Darkmoor Park, for one or two hours at a time.”

“Twice a week?” Athena replied uncertainly.

“That is my hope and wish. My donation stands whether or not you accept my request. However, I should be grateful if you could indulge an old woman on this matter.”

Athena pondered this unexpected and very substantial offer.

That money would make such a difference.

She could pay their servants’ salaries, and the salary for their new music master, for many months, without depending on Captain Fallbrook.

She would be able to afford much-needed school supplies.

Most importantly, it would enable them to keep the school running for quite a while until they found more pupils. However…

Athena sighed with regret. “Mrs. Hillman. I can’t thank you enough for your kind offer.

You say the endowment would be unencumbered and I appreciate that.

But I would feel guilty accepting your contribution without rendering the service you request. It is such a small thing you ask of me.

I would so enjoy reading to you here on a regular basis.

Indeed, I should be happy to do so free of charge if I could. Sadly, though, I cannot.”

“May I ask why not?” Mrs. Hillman inquired.

“I am the headmistress of our school. I have many responsibilities. I couldn’t possibly be gone twice a week, for several hours.”

“I see.” Mrs. Hillman frowned. “I wish I could come to you…but my knees, you see. I am not as mobile as I once was.”

“ Athena! ” Selena gave her a firm look that seemed to say, We need that money . “We have a half day of instruction on Wednesdays, and the girls have Sunday afternoons at leisure after church. Perhaps you could read to Mrs. Hillman then? Would that work for you, Mrs. Hillman?”

A smile took over Mrs. Hillman’s face. “It would.”

Athena deliberated. She’d found her free afternoons to be valuable for making lesson plans and keeping up with school business and the management of the estate.

Suddenly, a solution occurred to her. “Selena, what if we split the duties? I could read to Mrs. Hillman on Wednesdays, and you could do Sundays.”

“I would be happy to.” Selena glanced tentatively at their hostess. “ If that would be agreeable to Mrs. Hillman?”

“I promise you, my sister is a far better reader than I am,” Athena quickly assured Mrs. Hillman. “Whenever the girls at school want a tale read aloud, they always clamor for Miss Selena, not me.”

“Do they, indeed?” Mrs. Hillman quirked a brow.

Selena’s cheeks reddened and she gave their hostess an affirming shrug. “I suppose there is no accounting for taste.”

“And I suppose I have just discovered a gold mine.” Mrs. Hillman chuckled. “Is it settled then, ladies? Wednesday and Sunday afternoons? Shall we say two o’clock? And if the weather is bad, I’ll send my carriage to fetch you?”

Athena and Selena accepted the terms. Selena agreed to start first, on the upcoming Sunday. Mrs. Hillman explained that she would write a cheque for the promised donation and have it delivered to Thorndale Manor the following day.

A few minutes later, Athena and Selena expressed their deepest thanks to Mrs. Hillman, and everyone said their farewells.

When Mr. Vernon said goodbye , his blue eyes were warm, and his voice was free of rancor. “Thank you for helping to calm and entertain Mrs. Hillman,” he said quietly.

Athena nodded in reply. “It was my pleasure.”

As she and Selena began their walk homeward, Athena’s thoughts drifted back to the gentleman they had just left, and the alteration in his manner over the course of their visit.

She was reminded, suddenly, of the lemon cake she had tasted that afternoon. Its sour flavor had been mitigated by a delectable hint of sweetness.

Perhaps Mr. Vernon had a sweet side to him, after all.