“You are familiar with those things as well, Fi,” Livy retorted.
“I’m not denying it,” Fi said blithely. “Just pointing out that seductive tactics can be an invaluable tool when one’s goal is gaining a gentleman’s attention.”
“And therein lies the problem.” Slumping against the seat, Glory blew out a breath. “I have no talent when it comes to seduction.”
“Surely you are underestimating yourself—” Livy began.
“I wish I were. I found Fi’s tips dreadfully confusing,” Glory admitted. “When I tried them, I felt silly and awkward and not like myself at all. I don’t know how to repose languidly. Or how to flirt and get a gentleman under my spell. Mr. Chen didn’t even seem to notice how I was dressed. Maybe he’s not attracted to me. Maybe he was using his commitments as an excuse. To let me down gently.”
“Or maybe you are going about this the wrong way,” Pippa said.
“How do you mean?”
“Forget about Fi’s tactics for the moment.” Pippa pursed her lips. “How do you feel in Mr. Chen’s presence?”
Giddy and hot. Damp in unmentionable places.
“Bothered.” Cheeks flushing, Glory amended, “In a good way, though. I cannot stop thinking about how much I admire him. Not just because he is handsome. I respect everything about him: his physical prowess, nobility, and integrity. He has such conviction and purpose.” Squirming a bit in her seat, she forced out the next words. “When I’m around him, I feel breathless and…um, tingly. All over. At the same time, I feel oddly tense, and I’m dying to know if he feels the same way about me. Am I…am I making any sense?”
“Yes,” her three friends said in unison.
“You are falling in love with Master Chen,” Pippa confirmed. “When Cull first came back into my life, I felt tense and tingly too.” Her blue eyes dreamy, she rubbed her rounded midsection. “I still do.”
Am I falling in love?
The answer prickled through Glory, the sensation like that of a foot that had fallen asleep but was now stirring. She knew she was attracted to him, but the truth was that her feelings ran deeper. Until now, she’d been an eccentric hoyden who hadn’t cared what gentlemen thought of her. Yet when it came to Mr. Chen, not only did she care…she cared deeply.
She wanted him to teach her about lovemaking, kung fu, and their shared heritage. She wanted to get through his reserve and earn his smiles and admiration. She wanted to know his innermost thoughts and help him in his quest, to be his companion through thick and thin…
“Zounds.” Dumbfounded, she looked at her friends. “I am falling in love with Mr. Chen. But what if…what if he has no interest in me?”
“There is only one way to find out,” Pippa said. “You must ask him.”
With a shiver, Glory said, “I cannot just ask him if he likes me.”
“Why not?” Livy tipped her head to one side. “You’re outspoken by nature. You always say what you mean, even when your view is unpopular. Your habit of being direct is part of your charm.”
“You told Lord Lyttle that his hair dye was leaking,” Fi added. “Not many people would have the courage or care enough to do that.”
“But this is different.” Glory knotted her fingers together, feeling how clammy her hands had gotten. “This would involve talking about my private feelings, and I am not good at that.”
What if I say what is in my heart, and Mr. Chen rejects me? What if my growing attachment scares him away? Wouldn’t it be better to have him as a friend and shifu than nothing at all?
“Being vulnerable is hard for all of us.” Pippa’s tone was gentle. “Which is why falling in love rarely goes smoothly. But sometimes not knowing is worse than the truth itself.”
“You’re right.” Glory took a breath. “I shall lay my cards on the table and ask him if he has any interest in me at all.”
“Hooray,” Fi and Livy cheered.
“Now that I’ve decided to have this conversation with him,” Glory said ruefully, “waiting until my lesson next week seems intolerable.”
“Then don’t wait,” Livy said. “Hadleigh is planning to visit the clinic tomorrow, and we shall pick you up on our way. We’ll be your chaperones whilst you and Mr. Chen have your tête-à-tête.”
With a heady mix of dread and anticipation, Glory nodded.
Mr. Devlin deposited the Angels in an alleyway close to their destination. The area was one of the worst rookeries in London. The dilapidated patch sat next to St. Saviour’s Dock, and as Glory hopped down from the carriage, she wrinkled her nose at the foul smells. Surrounded by tidal ditches, the area had been dubbed “the Venice of Drains,” with many buildings backing up against stagnant canals teeming with waste. Even though it hadn’t rained, the ground was soggy. Mud and heaven knew what else squished beneath Glory’s worn shoes.
“Ugh, it smells like a rubbish heap.” Fi grimaced. “I just got over my nausea.”
