circumstances, I would be kind to you, Caledonia. Kind indeed.
Startled, he realized he'd let his mind wander. What was she saying now?
"What I don't understand is why she would select you. Given your remarks the other day, you hardly seem a supporter."
Hadrian hesitated. He needed a hook and he needed it badly. The hall tonight, though packed, had shown a striking absence of men. Beyond the handful of photographers, representatives of that less-than-kind press, he'd looked to be the only male in attendance.
"What would you say to our striking a small bargain?"
Behind the glasses, her eyes narrowed. "What sort of bargain?"
"We will divide our session between your sitting for me--your sacrifice, if you will--and my submitting to your instruction on the finer shades of female equality? Should you succeed in winning me to your point, I will not hesitate to spread the word to other males who might be persuaded as well, including a barrister friend of mine who has the ear of those influential in the Fleet Street set." When she didn't answer, he cocked his head to one side, trying to read the thoughts behind those clear, soulful eyes. "You are very quiet suddenly, Miss Rivers, and looking at me rather strangely, I think. Come now, do we have a bargain or do we not?"
She hesitated, biting at her bottom lip in a way that had him hardening. "Yes, Mr. Rivers, I believe we do. I will call on you at your shop at noon tomorrow, if that is acceptable to you."
So she'd kept his card after all. Hadrian hid his smile. The woman had played into his hands entirely. More time in her company meant that much more time to carry out his plan, and if the prelude to seduction meant putting up with her prosing on about her blasted cause, then so be it.
Vanquishing her, it might prove easier than he'd first thought. "I shall spend what remains of this evening counting the hours."
She held out her hand. Amused she meant to seal their agreement with a handshake as a man would, he reached out to take it. Encouraged to find it cold and faintly shaking, he carried their clasped hands to his mouth, brushing a quick kiss atop her smooth white one.
She jerked away as though he'd burned her. "Don't count, Mr. St. Claire, but rather
read.
Barbara Leigh Smith's
A Brief Summary, in Plain Language, of the Most Important Laws Concerning Women
is an excellent starting point as it is both comprehensive and concise. You will derive far greater benefit from reflecting on Mrs. Smith's wise words than conjuring elaborate flatteries. You may see my secretary on your way out, and she will furnish you with a copy." She cast a meaningful glance toward the side door.
So he was being dismissed. What cheek! Suppressing a groan, he reminded himself that his goal was to win her trust. "You do yourself a disservice, miss, if you believe my remark was anything but completely candid." With that, he started for the door.
Her voice called him back. "On the contrary, Mr. Rivers, it is you who do me the disservice."
That set him off his guard. He felt his smile slip and with it his some of his self-assurance. Turning about, he said, "Sorry?"
"You must think me a perfect simpleton indeed if you expect me to credit such rubbish, charmingly put though it may be."
Hadrian relaxed, feeling once more on firmer footing. The estimable Miss Rivers was flirting with him whether she recognized it or not. "Quite the contrary, miss, I am coming to understand that there is nothing of the simple about you."
Simpleton, I must be an utter simpleton.
Thrashing about her bed later that night, Callie allowed she had acted the perfect idiot. Only an idiot would agree not merely to sit for Hadrian St. Claire like some bloody trained monkey, but also to be cajoled into acting as his tutor. As if she gave a fig for what he thought, the thick-skulled man.
Rot and rubbish indeed!
As for the letter of introduction, whatever could Millicent have meant by directing her to fritter away precious
Startled, he realized he'd let his mind wander. What was she saying now?
"What I don't understand is why she would select you. Given your remarks the other day, you hardly seem a supporter."
Hadrian hesitated. He needed a hook and he needed it badly. The hall tonight, though packed, had shown a striking absence of men. Beyond the handful of photographers, representatives of that less-than-kind press, he'd looked to be the only male in attendance.
"What would you say to our striking a small bargain?"
Behind the glasses, her eyes narrowed. "What sort of bargain?"
"We will divide our session between your sitting for me--your sacrifice, if you will--and my submitting to your instruction on the finer shades of female equality? Should you succeed in winning me to your point, I will not hesitate to spread the word to other males who might be persuaded as well, including a barrister friend of mine who has the ear of those influential in the Fleet Street set." When she didn't answer, he cocked his head to one side, trying to read the thoughts behind those clear, soulful eyes. "You are very quiet suddenly, Miss Rivers, and looking at me rather strangely, I think. Come now, do we have a bargain or do we not?"
She hesitated, biting at her bottom lip in a way that had him hardening. "Yes, Mr. Rivers, I believe we do. I will call on you at your shop at noon tomorrow, if that is acceptable to you."
So she'd kept his card after all. Hadrian hid his smile. The woman had played into his hands entirely. More time in her company meant that much more time to carry out his plan, and if the prelude to seduction meant putting up with her prosing on about her blasted cause, then so be it.
Vanquishing her, it might prove easier than he'd first thought. "I shall spend what remains of this evening counting the hours."
She held out her hand. Amused she meant to seal their agreement with a handshake as a man would, he reached out to take it. Encouraged to find it cold and faintly shaking, he carried their clasped hands to his mouth, brushing a quick kiss atop her smooth white one.
She jerked away as though he'd burned her. "Don't count, Mr. St. Claire, but rather
read.
Barbara Leigh Smith's
A Brief Summary, in Plain Language, of the Most Important Laws Concerning Women
is an excellent starting point as it is both comprehensive and concise. You will derive far greater benefit from reflecting on Mrs. Smith's wise words than conjuring elaborate flatteries. You may see my secretary on your way out, and she will furnish you with a copy." She cast a meaningful glance toward the side door.
So he was being dismissed. What cheek! Suppressing a groan, he reminded himself that his goal was to win her trust. "You do yourself a disservice, miss, if you believe my remark was anything but completely candid." With that, he started for the door.
Her voice called him back. "On the contrary, Mr. Rivers, it is you who do me the disservice."
That set him off his guard. He felt his smile slip and with it his some of his self-assurance. Turning about, he said, "Sorry?"
"You must think me a perfect simpleton indeed if you expect me to credit such rubbish, charmingly put though it may be."
Hadrian relaxed, feeling once more on firmer footing. The estimable Miss Rivers was flirting with him whether she recognized it or not. "Quite the contrary, miss, I am coming to understand that there is nothing of the simple about you."
Simpleton, I must be an utter simpleton.
Thrashing about her bed later that night, Callie allowed she had acted the perfect idiot. Only an idiot would agree not merely to sit for Hadrian St. Claire like some bloody trained monkey, but also to be cajoled into acting as his tutor. As if she gave a fig for what he thought, the thick-skulled man.
Rot and rubbish indeed!
As for the letter of introduction, whatever could Millicent have meant by directing her to fritter away precious
Similar Books
