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the new headmistress. It was made clear that there were only four students in residence but that more would be arriving in the future. It all seemed . . .” She gave a tiny, forlorn little shrug. “Quite wonderful. My dream come true, if you will.”
    â€œWhat is your dream, Miss Glade?”
    â€œTo be in charge of a school of my own.” In spite of her exhaustion,she suddenly became more animated. “One where I can put into practice my personal philosophy and ideas concerning the education of girls.”
    â€œI see.” Curiosity tugged at him, but this was not the time to pursue questions about her dream. “Were you told the name of the benefactor of the girls’ academy at Aldwick Castle?”
    He did not realize how sharply he had spoken until he saw her stiffen warily.
    â€œThe letter from the agency mentioned a certain Mrs. Jones,” she said. “I was informed that she was a wealthy, reclusive widow.”
    â€œWhat else were you told?”
    â€œVery little. Only that I would have complete discretion concerning the instruction that I was to provide. Mrs. Jones’s single requirement was that the reputation of the students be guarded with great care. After I got to Aldwick Castle, I was delighted with my four students. Phoebe, Hannah, Edwina and Theodora proved to be intelligent, eager pupils. What more can a teacher ask? But, as I said, I knew that something was amiss.”
    â€œI think it is safe to say that there never was a Mrs. Jones. What else besides the discovery of Miss Bartlett’s gloves raised your suspicions?”
    â€œThe housekeeper was a sullen creature who kept to herself as much as possible. I later learned that she was addicted to opium. I was forced to have several stern talks with the cook, who showed no interest in preparing healthy meals for the students. The man in charge of the stables was a lazy drunkard. The gardeners never tended the gardens and”—she paused, eyes narrowing slightly—“they carried guns.”
    â€œGuards, not gardeners.”
    â€œThat was certainly how it appeared to me.” She took one more sip of the sherry and slowly lowered the glass. “But the things that concerned me the most were the gowns.”
    He looked at her. “What gowns?”
    â€œTen days ago a dressmaker came all the way from London. She brought with her bolts of expensive fabrics and three seamstresses. Several lovely new gowns were made for all of the girls. I was told that Mrs. Jones wanted the students to be prepared to take their places in Society. But that made no sense.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    She did not bother to conceal her impatience with the question. “The young ladies were all born into respectable families. Indeed, Edwina and Theodora once lived a very privileged life. But all of them are now orphans. None can claim any property or inheritances or social connections. They have a few distant relations but none who cared enough to step forward to take them into their homes.”
    He contemplated that briefly. “I see what you mean. None of them can expect to move into Society.”
    â€œPrecisely. At best they can only look forward to careers as teachers or governesses. Why provide them with gowns that are suited to the ballroom and the theater?”
    â€œObviously you suspected the worst.”
    â€œYes, Mr. Wells, I did.” One hand clenched in her lap. “I came to the conclusion that my students were being prepared to be sold as expensive, fashionable courtesans.”
    â€œIt’s a possibility, I suppose,” he said, thinking it over. “As I told you, Larkin does have extensive interests in a number of brothels.”
    â€œYou must have seen some of the scandals in the press concerning the trade in young girls who are taken out of orphanages and sent to work as prostitutes. It is quite appalling. And the police have done very little