“I appreciate your help with the designs so much.” He squeezed her hand. “And I know you are enthusiastic about modeling and care little if the Ton recognizes you. Can you understand my worry over the association?”
“Yes. My first reaction was defensive, I admit. But, Robert, consider this. Whilst you find me unique, and I love that you do, I am not. No one looking at a sketch figure would recognize me. Even among the Ton, I am not the only short, round—”
“Voluptuous, please.”
“—voluptuous woman.” She rolled her eyes but sent him a grateful smile. “Certainly, the audience admiring the catalogue will not be thinking of a lady modeling anyway, which leaves it wide open to any serving maid, spanking wench, or cook around.”
He tilted his head, nodding slowly.
“However, I understand the preference not to have faces, as it may facilitate sales. May I at least get to choose the specific creations and number of them that I model? Please?”
He took a deep breath in and whooshed it out, narrowing his eyes. She knew that look from Althea. She’d never been above bargaining to get her way. That look said he was wondering how much further she’d push if he gave in on this negotiation. She attempted innocence, smiling demurely and holding his gaze with a serene countenance.
“I really would prefer different female forms illustrated, so everyone can picture their partner in place of the sketch.”
“I understand. I find I dislike the idea of you fitting other women, though. Would you consider allowing me to do that at your direction?”
“Certainly. Especially if I can watch?” He gave her a mock leer, and she grinned.
Their conversation about Lady Peterborough—Charlotte to him, for godsakes—and his reticence regarding his clients gave her an idea. “Mayhap even a male model if we can find one?”
“Oh.” He nodded slowly. “Yes, that might be good, althoughIshall fit him for pieces.”
Excellent. Whilst he is in an agreeable mood, I shall raise my other idea. Helen’s letter had indicated she’d be interested in hearing more about the leatherwork for both the School of Enlightenment and to offer to select sponsors.
“I shan’t ask to model more than…half of the designs?” she asked as much as stated.
“Thank you, Beth.”
“If you’re making a catalogue, I wonder if there are other uses for it than only Sarah’s,” she mused, trying to ease into the subject.
He frowned. “What did you have in mind?”
“For one, mayhap a wider set of private parties. ’Twould be easy to have people pass it along with no one knowing the original source.”
“That is too risky for my tastes.” He shook his head, his brow still furrowed. “There is a reason Sarah vets her clients so thoroughly and why I remain anonymous, particularly for sales outside of her club. The Ton is a quagmire of rumor. A single person’s poor judgment could put the book in the wrong hands with sketches appearing in the gossip rags.”
“Oh.” She thought for a moment. “Still, even if it was through my network or Evan’s, you could expand the private parties beyond what you do now.” She took a breath. It was now or never. “Or there is another channel I considered.”
He gulped. “Right.” A pause. “What is it?”
“’Tis extremely confidential. I needed special permission to share this with you. I told you I was wild. When I came to live with Althea, I was still reeling from the death of my parents, and I acted out. Within weeks, she was exhausted and knew she needed to find another solution. That is how I attended the School of Enlightenment.” Knowing he wouldn’t have heard of it, she rushed on, “’Tis a private, secret school for girls. They can learn anything from maths to Latin to politics to sexual pleasure.”
He stiffened, his hands dropping from hers as he sat upright.
“There are courses for marriage,” she rushed on, “for servants, even for courtesans, and advanced courses for those who want to learn more.” She took a second to grin at him. “And you know I am all about the learning.”
His smile was fleeting.
She explained the school in more detail before summing it up. “My volunteer work at the charity school allows me to identify students who might be best suited for the School of Enlightenment and vice versa. My network in part comes from there. ’Tis of the utmost importance that you do not share this with anyone, please.”
“I understand. You know I can keep a confidence.”
“I do. I trust you, or I would not have told you. The reason I did is because I had a fantastic idea. Again.” She smirked at him.
He laughed under his breath before sobering to say, “Right, then, let’s have it.”
“We could sell through the school the same way we sell through Sarah’s. With a catalogue. Think of the expansion.”
