Johanna looked thoughtfully at the question in front of her. "Do you understand the question, Johanna?"Mr Darcy gestured to the question.

"Well-no." Johanna admitted. "I've always been hopeless at maths".

"Well, that's why we're here, isn't it? I think you're very intelligent, Johanna. You do well in all the subjects you like, apparently your English marks are exceptional, as Mr Murdend told me".

Johanna blushed. "Mr Murdend was talking about me?"

"Oh, yes. Anyway-"He tapped the paper. "Simpson's rule is actually very logical."

Johanna's attention had wandered far away from her mathematics by now however. Not even remedial maths could dampen her spirit once she started thinking about Mr Murdend.

Howard Murdend had been her English teacher since the seventh grade, and since then she had been hopelessly in love with him.

Mr Darcy watched her curiously. Johanna had always fascinated him, the way she moved, and her ringing laugh and her innocent doe-eyes that could bring her anything from any man she wanted. He wished she appreciated mathematics more, but did not insist upon it. He had actually offered to help her individually at lunchtimes so he could observe her more closely. Robert Darcy had always been intrigued by women, and Johanna certainly was no ordinary young woman. Her beauty was natural and complete. Robert couldn't admit that he was entirely unattracted to her, but he knew where the boundaries between them lay. And so every day he went home to Lucinda

"Robert!" Mr Darcy turned around and saw Mr Murdend jogging to catch up to him.

"Oh, hell Howard. Are you teaching a class this period?"

"No, thank the lord. Are mathematics students as unresponsive as English students?"

"Worse, I should think. Look at Johanna." Howard's facial expression flickered to uncertainty.

"What about Johanna?" He asked guardedly.

"Well, you tell me she is an excellent English student".

"Yes, superb. I've never seen a student with applicational skills as strong as hers".

"She is anything but superb in maths, I can tell you. So much potential-but it seems her heart isn't in it".

"Oh, Johanna's heart certainly lies in my classes, Robert". Howard laughed.

"What? What do you mean?" Howard swallowed.

"Robert, we've been friends for six years. If I told you something, would you promise not to tell anyone? If it could ruin my career and my marriage?"

"Of course not, Howard. What is it?"

Howard looked around. They were alone.

"Johanna and I are in an amorous relationship".

Robert spat out his coffee. "What?"

"I only told you because I trust you.Noone else but Johanna and I know."

"For how long? Consensual or.non-consensual?"

Robert dreaded the reply. He was disgusted that this vile man had held Johanna in his arms, had touched her.

"Consensual of course, Robert. I'm not a monster. And we've been involved for six months now".

"Did you.Did you initiate it?"

"She propositioned me. And she is attractive, good god, look at her! The department of education can preach their 'protection laws' from their isolated offices, but no man could look at her and not want her! She's beautiful, for Christ's sake!"

Robert glared at him. "Do you know how old she is, Howard? Or is her face so beautiful you've failed to notice?"

"Seventeen". Howard smiled guiltily.

"And you're forty-five, Howard. Forty five and married".

"Yes.to Chelsea. You know Chelsea, Robert."

"Yes, I know Chelsea quite well. Chelsea and Lucinda are good friends."

"Don't hate me because Johanna's mine, Robert."

"I'm fifty one, Howard! I know my limits! Johanna is younger than my daughter and a student! It's illegal!"

"Unlike you, Robert, I believe some things are more important than my job".

"I have to go". Robert started off, fuming but Howard stopped him.

"You won't tell any of the staff, will you?" Robert looked Howard straight in the eye.

"Do you love her, Howard?"

"What?" Howard was caught off his guard.

"Do you love Johanna?"

"For all I know, I could! I feel.young when she is under me. Young.and free. She doesn't care about Chelsea, and her body."

"I will speak to Johanna about this Howard. Not the staff, just Johanna. I need to hear her side before I make up my mind".

Howard swallowed. "Alright,"he said warily.

Robert walked off. He shuddered at the thought of Howard Murdend's hands on Johanna. And he shuddered when he realised why it bothered him so much.

Johanna was totally unprepared when Robert posed the question to her the following day as they sat alone in an empty classroom, poring over textbooks.

"Johanna, are you happy with the way that Mr Murdend is treating you?"

Instantly she was on her guard.

"What do you mean?"

"I know that you and Mr Murdend are involved, Johanna".

"Who told you?" She didn't go to the trouble of denying it. Somehow she couldn't lie to Mr Darcy.

"Mr Murdend told me. Johanna, you know that this is wrong".

"Mr Darcy. I think that I am in love with him". Robert's heart jolted downwards towards his stomach.

"He's married, Johanna, and doesn't plan to leave his wife".

"Chelsea," She sneered with the same vehemence that Howard expressed when he talked off his wife.

"Johanna". Robert looked at her, long and hard. "Are you happy, Johanna?"

Her eyes carefully avoided his. "Of course".

"I don't think so". The bell rang, and Johanna jumped up, grabbing her should bag.

"I have to go, sir". Silently, she fled the room.

That night Robert didn't go to bed with Lucinda. He could barely look her in the eyes, let alone touch her. Lucinda was friendly, Lucinda was sincere but she was no Johanna. Robert had decided already to steal Johanna. She could move in with him, he could act as her father.

But Robert's body gave him clear indications that his intentions towards Johanna were mot entirely chaste. He wanted her against him. He wanted to show her a better life, to give her the treatment that she deserved. He knew the sad truth about her home life, her absent father, her drunken mother. He knew all her self doubts and fears.

And he loved her totally.

For the past six years, he had watched her evolve from an awkward girl into a beautiful young woman, lovely in every respect. Robert never failed to be taken away by her, with her shining eyes, frequent blushes, full red lips and mass of golden ringlets. Robert could never exploit her for her looks like Howard was. He would save her, even if he had to fly the country with her. And she would reward him with her love.

"Robert?" Lucinda came padding in wearing her dressing gown. "Robert, it's three in the morning. Won't you come to bed?"

"I have to mark these papers by tomorrow". He lied. "I'll sleep in the spare room so I wont wake you up when I come in".

"Alright. I love you, Robert. Goodnight". She left, closing the door after her. How could Robert tell her that he wanted a divorce?

Robert leant into Johanna. Her turquoise eyes reflected in his ice blue ones, and he knew he could not hold himself any longer. Johanna was anything but prepared for the sensation she experienced when his lips came crashing down on hers. Unprepared as she was, she yielded willingly at once into his arms.

Robert had never kissed like that before. Six years of pent-up passion transmitted from his hungry body to hers. Holding Johanna in his arms was the sweetest sensation that he had ever experienced.

"Mr Darcy," Johanna breathed as he pulled back gently.

"Johanna," Her eyes glinted, they were moist. "Why are you crying, Johanna?"

"I love you so much," She replied simply.

"Why does that make you sad, Johanna?"

"Howard."

"Johanna, move in with me. We'll fly tonight, and you wont have to worry about Howard."

"Except at school."

"I'll be there to protect you." He repeated firmly. "And then, next year, I'll marry you."

He closed his arms around her, and he was certain of the fact that she was worth dying for.