Ada & The French (The Woodhouse Series #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

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*University of London, Bloomsbury, London*

It was a common occurrence for my name to be called suddenly several times every day.

"Woodhouse!" Professor Wentworth's voice echoed in the lecture hall and I jumped, dropping my book. "Whatever you are reading, it cannot be more important than what I am telling you."

I mouthed my apologies, sheepishly smiling at the rest of the class as Wentworth continued.

His information was important - today was the last day for lectures. We were going off on vacation for a month and then when we returned, final exams would start.

On the plus side, I would have a degree by the summer.

And the downside? I was doing an accelerated course therefore I had more to remember for the exams than anyone else in the room.

But I was ready and this vacation period was just what we all needed.

As Professor Wentworth continued to go over what to expect on the upcoming exams in English and Comparative Literature, I made notes of everything, ticking off what I was confident with and what I needed to review.

A bell echoed in the corridor and class was dismissed. Over the footsteps, the chatter and the rustling of clothes, Wentworth called some final points, wishing us a wonderful time, whatever we chose to do in the following weeks.

I picked up my fallen book and gathered up my things, putting them into my bag as I descended the theatre steps to Professor Wentworth's desk.

"Professor?" I started and he turned to me. His eyes fell on the book I held in my hands and he smiled.

"What are you reading that has you so distracted?" He asked me and I showed him the book in my hands. "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?" He raised his eyebrows and I laughed

"Robert Louis Stevenson..." I replied. "It's not out yet but Emerson has a friend who is Mr Stevenson's agent..." Wentworth handed it back, and I'd never taken anything back as quickly as I had.

"What's it about?"

"It's described as a novel about the complexities of science and the duplicity of human nature..." I opened the hardback book in my hands, flicking through the pages. "It asks the question whether we all have dual personalities and depending on which we nurture based on our nature, is the one which the world will see."

Wentworth nodded, putting his things together in his briefcase. "Sounds interesting..." I followed him out of the lecture hall. "But please try and keep the non-prescribed reading outside the lectures?"

I nodded, slipping the book into my bag. "Apologies. I just get so engrossed in these things."

"Well...other than quite possibly reading every book at your disposal in the university library - you do work there, right?" Wentworth asked and I nodded, navigating the corridors as students strolled past, chatting with friends, greeting each other in passing and slipping into halls for their next lectures. "Do you have any plans over the break, other than completing your assignments and work?"

"A holiday!" I cheered, excited to finally be telling people that I was going on holiday. "To France."

Wentworth was impressed as we reached his office and he unlocked the door, heading in as I followed. He kicked a doorstop under the door to keep it open as he headed for his desk. "Wonderful! Whereabouts?"