Not so long ago, she had wanted him to be her teacher more than anything. Now her desires had taken a decidedly different turn. Yet he had made it clear that he had no interest in her romantically…wasn’t it better to have a relationship based on friendship and a mutual interest in martial arts than none at all?
“I do wish it,” she said with a bittersweet pang.
I want you to be my shifu. And so much more.
“Then I shall instruct you. On one condition.”
At that, she paused. In her experience, conditions were a euphemism for rules, and she wasn’t overly fond of either.
She narrowed her gaze. “That being?”
“You will keep me apprised of any missions you plan on undertaking.”
“So that you can stop me? Thank you, but—”
“So that I can assist you,” he corrected.
“After all the times you’ve warned me away from the Fancy?”
“Things are different now.”
“What has changed?” she asked bluntly.
“I have learned my lesson, namely that it is pointless to try to stop the tides.” He shrugged. “You will do what you do, regardless of my opinion. The only way I am going to protect you is by teaching you the skills to protect yourself.”
I always knew he was an intelligent fellow.
“As your shifu, I will be in a position to do just that,” he went on. “It will be my responsibility to help you achieve your goals, safely and sensibly. I could, for instance, teach you how to use lightness kung fu to escape dangerous situations.”
As Glory wasn’t stupid, she knew a carrot when it was being dangled. Yet she couldn’t resist the opportunity. To learn some of Mr. Chen’s techniques…
Don’t pretend it’s only about the kung fu. You want to spend time with him.
She bit her lip. “But Charlie might not welcome your involvement—”
“You can discuss my offer with Lady Fayne before you make any decisions.” He guided her around a corner, where the patch of peonies awaited ahead. “Or, if you prefer, I will speak to her.”
“If you do, bloody murder is likely to happen, and I don’t want that on my conscience.” Glory inhaled and came to a decision. “I’ll talk to Charlie. But I do have a question.”
He lifted his brows.
“When I asked you to teach me before, you said that my presence at your clinic could lead to problems. Is that still the case?”
He halted in front of the flowers, and knowing that her aunt was observing, she made a show of describing the varietals as best she could.
“These are the, um, pink ones. And those are white and yellow,” she said.
His lips twitched. “Thank you for the edification.”
“Flowers are my mama’s hobby, not mine. She is accounted an expert…in fact, people come from all over to see the roses she cultivates at our seat in Dorset,” Glory said proudly. “Don’t ask me about them, however. I cannot tell a flower from a weed.”
“Duly noted.”
Flustered by the teasing glint in his eyes, she said, “You, um, haven’t answered my question.”
“In short, I’ve changed my mind. I now realize that it is better for all parties concerned to keep you close rather than at arm’s length.”
“I don’t understand. What about the reputation of your clinic? You said that I might compromise your work.”
