“Derrick, my boy! Good to see you.” Barrett tossed his paper aside and stood to shake his hand.
“Mr. Asgil, thank you for the invitation to spend Christmas with you.”
Arianna’s father was a strong, vigorous man in his late fifties, and he had been a wonderful mentor and second father to Derrick for many years. The man knew horseflesh better than anyone Derrick had ever met, and they had spent entire afternoons with Lucas at Tattersall’s buying quality horses.
“We’re glad to have you. It’s been far too long.” Barrett’s brown eyes filled with meaning, and he gave Derrick’s hand a squeeze before letting go.
“I agree, sir. Far too long.”
No one had to say it, but they all wished Lucas was there and that the rift between them could be mended.
“Well, shall we go in for dinner?” Martha asked as she abandoned her writing desk. “Derrick, you may escort Arianna, of course.”
Derrick stepped back to allow Martha and Barrett to leave the drawing room first. He had a moment alone with Arianna and was glad for it. She turned away from the window and seemed to notice him for the first time. She startled as if she hadn’t expected him to be there, even though he’d promised to come back for dinner.
“Are you all right?” he asked, noting the faraway expression in her eyes.
“What? Oh yes. I beg your pardon. I fear I’m most distracted this evening.” She smiled in a way that made him feel as though she held a precious secret that he would never gain access to. For some reason it made him hungry to know much more. He caught her waist in his hands, feeling the warmth of her body beneath the rose satin of her gown. His blood hummed.
“What could possibly distract you? I admit, I’m terribly curious.” He smiled down at her, knowing this particular grin had caused many a woman to part with her clothing.
Her face colored in a blush that made him want to kiss the tip of her nose and close his eyes as he lost himself in her sweet feminine scent. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly tell you. You’d think me foolish.”
“Try me,” he said in a husky whisper.
“I... I was thinking that I need someone to teach me how to attract a man, you see. I believe I’m in love with someone most ardently, but I need help winning him over.”
His hold on her tightened. “Tell me it isn’t Cumberland, not after what he did to you today.”
“No, not him. I wassettlingfor Cumberland. It is another man I had hoped for, but he does not know of my interest. I must find a way to catch his eye. So you see, a tutor in romance is quite necessary.” She met his eyes with guileless innocence. “Do you suppose there are any male courtesans? Perhaps if there are, I could—”
“What? No, Arianna. You will not find someone like that to teach you how to catch a man’s eye.” The thought of sending her to a male courtesan made him furious. He doubted such a person existed, but if they did, he would not let her find one.
“But I must, Derrick. I want to be in love. I want to have a life all my own with a man I adore at my side.” She raised her adorable chin defiantly. “You won’t stop me from getting that.”
He knew he couldn’t stop her from doing anything she wished to do. Nor would he ever stop her from having the things she wanted in life. But what she was considering could only result in difficulties, if not scandal.
But what if...?Yes, he could be the one to teach her and get what he desired, which was time with her in his arms. It was too easy, too perfect a solution. Perhaps Christmas miracles truly did exist.
“Then... letmebe your guide. You may use me to learn about men.”
She bit her bottom lip, clearly having an inner debate with herself. “Oh, but I couldn’t...”
“If you go about looking for a man-for-hire to teach you such things, you’ll only attract all kinds of unwanted attention upon yourself. And if you were found out...? No, far better that you learn such matters from someone you trust.”
“And you think that man is you?” Arianna said. “You think Itrustyou?”
“You did, once.”
“When I was a child and would have followed you to the ends of the earth. But I’m not that child anymore. Besides, I have heard of your reputation these last few years,” she added.
Derrick smirked. “Under the circumstances, I would think that would count as my qualifications.”
She seemed to consider this. “You truly want to help tutor me in this secret endeavor? It wouldn’t be an imposition on you? I wouldn’t want to ask you to teach me if you might find it tiresome.”
Tiresome? Lord, she had no idea how much he would enjoy these lessons.
“Not at all, Arianna. We are old friends. It would be an easy thing to show you how to flirt with a man. The finest men will be queueing up to dance with you in a matter of weeks.”
