“To be sure,” Armstrong cut in, “it would be a smaller volume. Less to cover. But it’s an interesting idea, to capture all the readers left out by the first book. A companion piece, so to speak.”
“Exactly.” Miss Danby gave Armstrong a winning smile, which seemed to overset the man entirely.
“My guide is a complete document,” Lyman protested. “It doesn’t need a companion piece.”
Had he misjudged things? The ground felt suddenly unsteady beneath his feet. He wasn’t sure ifallof his readers were men. If their wives did the shopping, they might well decide they preferred a ladies’ guide and leave his volume lying on the shelves. He couldn’t afford a drop in sales.
I should’ve put her damned club in the book when I still had the chance. It would’ve caused less headache.
Mr. Armstrong addressed Lyman as though he hadn’t spoken. “I was hoping you could help her write it. We wouldn’t want her name attached to it publicly, to protect Miss Danby’s reputation.”
It was all Lyman could do not to let his shock show plainly. “You want me to write a lady’s guide for her? She’s only doing this because I wouldn’t put her business in my book.”
“Please don’t speak about me as though I’m not sitting right here,” Miss Danby cut in. Had he thought her flirtatious at the café? Seeing her expression now, it was clear those days were long behind them. “Mr. Armstrong, I don’t need anyone to write the guide for me. I’m well acquainted with all the attractions of London, and I assure you that my parents have provided me with a thorough education. I’m quite capable of writing it myself.”
“Have you ever written a book before?” Lyman asked, suspecting he knew the answer. For Armstrong’s benefit he added, “If everyone who aspired to be a lady novelist actually published something, we would all be drowning in paper. It’s much easier to plan than toaccomplish.”
“I shall prove you wrong,” she said coolly.
“We seem to be getting off on the wrong foot,” Armstrong intervened. “Lord Ashton, even if there’s no need for you to collaborate on the text, Miss Danby might benefit from your advice and guidance, as a sort of mentor, to produce a document of quality.”
Impossible.He wasn’t going to keep company with the owner of a gaming den. He’d fought to sever ties with anyone involved in that world. He wouldn’t be pulled back in.
Armstrong continued. “I could pay you a stipend for your contribution, of course.”
“Pay?” Lyman turned to him with a hawk’s focus. That changed things.
“Shall we say twenty pounds upon submission of an acceptable finished draft?”
Miss Danby cleared her throat delicately. “Could we please clarify whether this is to be deducted from money that would otherwise be mine?”
“Well, yes, Miss Danby,” Armstrong replied with an affectionate chuckle. “If we buy your book, a portion of the price we agree upon will go toward Lord Ashton. Unless you’d prefer to publish on commission?”
Miss Danby’s lovely brown eyes widened as she looked from Armstrong to Lyman. She was obviously lost.
“She doesn’t,” Lyman said firmly. Publishing on commission was a risky venture that put the majority of both profitsandlosses in the hands of the author. For an unknown writer like Miss Danby, it was far safer to sell her copyright for a lump sum and let the publisher take on the risk.
“Wait.” Miss Danby looked at him in suspicion. “I didn’t agree to that. What’s the difference?”
She didn’t even appreciate the fact that he’d just saved her froma crushing error.
“If you publish on commission, you’ll have to repay any losses if the book sells poorly,” Lyman explained patiently. “You don’t want that.”
Why am I helping this woman?She obviously didn’t know the first thing about publishing. She had no business coming here.
But twenty pounds was twenty pounds. Even if Lyman wasn’t persuaded this idea had real merit, there was no need for him to spend more time with Miss Danby than was strictly necessary. She’d said that she could write it herself, so let her try. He would take some tea in her sitting room a few times to tell her what she was doing wrong, and she could sort it out as she liked. It would only cost him a few hours of his time. Well worth the rewards Armstrong had promised.
“As far as I’m concerned, you have a deal,” he said to his editor.
“I’m not sure I like the idea of sharing the monies from my own work,” Miss Danby protested.
“You’ve come here selling me an idea, Miss Danby,” Armstrong explained. “It has potential, but you’re unknown to our readers. If the viscount attaches his name to the project, it will go a long way to helping me justify the investment to my superiors. His books are very successful. I’m sure his assistance will prove worthy of a share of the price.”
Lyman finally found the good humor to favor Miss Danby with a smile.
“Well…if this is the only way.” She pulled a card from her reticule, handing it over to Lyman with a trace of reluctance. “You may call on me on Monday to work out the details.”
She spoke as though his assent was assured.
