“You have acaller.”
Rachel glanced up from her papers and saw Cedric Gregor standing at the doorway. From the enigmatic look on his face, she suspected she wouldn’t like his answer. Before she could ask who it was, he gave the answer.
“Sir Brian Lucas is here.”
She closed her eyes and set down his pen. “Cedric, why? You know I am not interested in being courted.”
“He is here because I asked him to come. You are aware that after Emma Bartholomew’s hasty departure we still have expenses to pay.”
“We will find another student.” Their improved reputation after finding good marriages for Lady Ashleigh and Lady Scarsdale had resulted in many young ladies showing interest. She wasn’t at all concerned about their finances.
Cedric paused and added, “Although I know how you love to help young wallflowers find husbands, we don’t have enough students to make this into a true school, Rachel. We haven’t the money or the ability to hire more teachers. And one spinster at a time is not enough to run a business.”
“We’ve always had one student at a time, and it has worked for us,” she argued. “That way, we can give her the attention she needs.”
“But we’ve paid for gowns and dancing lessons with very little profit for ourselves. Servants are leaving, and our costs have risen. If Sir Brian could be a potential investor, we should listen to him.”
The thought didn’t appeal to her, but she could see his point. “I will see him, but it must be very clear that I do not intend to allow him to court me, regardless of whatever past he thinks we might have.”
She had never answered his letters, though she had read them several times. The last thing she wanted was a man’s interest. Rachel set her papers aside and steeled herself for a call she didn’t want.
A few minutes later, Sir Brian entered the room. He was as she remembered from his last call—tall with dark brown hair and kindly brown eyes. Though he had a friendly demeanor, she hadn’t forgotten the strength that he hid beneath his clothing. During their last meeting, he’d defended her from an irate marquess who had barged in, furious at his daughter’s disappearance. Sir Brian had kept the man away from her, and she’d been grateful for his help.
She kept her expression neutral and remained seated at her desk, wanting the physical distance between them.
“Good morning, Mrs. Harding,” he greeted her. “It’s been several months since I’ve had the pleasure. Are you well?”
His last question was a subtle reminder that she hadn’t answered any of his notes.
“Sir Brian,” she greeted the baronet. “It’s nice to see you again.” She gestured for him to have a seat. “I am well, indeed, thank you for asking. What can I do for you today?”
He took a seat across from her. At this close distance, she noticed a pleasant aroma of shaving soap. He didn’t look at all to be seven-and-thirty, as he’d told her during a previous visit.
“I spoke with Cedric Gregor not long ago about your school,” he began.
“Yes, I believe he mentioned something like that. Were you wanting our help in finding a young lady to marry?” She swallowed her pride and added, “Or did you wish to become an investor?”
“I have come to enroll myself as a student,” he said.
Rachel blinked at that, and for a long moment, she had no idea how to respond. He wanted to what?
“I’m sorry, but we are a school for young ladies, not gentlemen,” she managed to say. “We could try to find candidates for marriage, if that’s what you are looking for.”
He ignored her remark and continued. “Mr. Gregor informed me that you only take one student at a time, and you give lessons on how to help a young lady find her confidence, as well as a marital match. I don’t see how this would be any different for me.”
Though his voice sounded pleasant enough, she was dumbfounded by the prospect. “But I don’t see how we could possibly help you. You don’t need lessons.”
“I’ve never been married,” he said. “Clearly, Idoneed lessons. Though I will leave it to your expertise to determine what they are.”
She couldn’t believe he was serious. “But during their schooling, my students live in the house,” she protested. “That way they can attend all their lessons without interruption. You—you couldn’t—”
“Mr. Gregor has apartments next door to your house, I believe. I could rent a room from him if he is amenable.”
Everything within her turned to ice at the thought of him living so close by. She couldn’t imagine creating lessons for a gentleman—much less one who was handsome and had made no secret of his interest in her. It was impossible.
“I am sorry, but I still do not think we could accommodate you.”
In response, he slid a large bank note toward her. “Mr. Gregor has already agreed that since your previous student is now married, I could become your next prospect.” He stood from his chair and reached for his hat.
