“Hush, Eve, I’m not going to touch your ten thousand pounds. It’s yours when the time comes, along with this.” Lord Kilsyth reached around the desk and opened a drawer before taking out the sapphire and diamond necklace that had once belonged to her mother. “I’m assuming this is the necklace you mentioned earlier.”
She had to get it back. “Aye.” But that still didn’t explain how she could have everything he described without her dowry being touched. “Then how am I ta pay for everythin’?” Men had been offering her much of the same since she’d begun work at the theatre, but they were clear in what they were expecting in return. Kilsyth claimed not to want her in that way, but he must want something and she was afraid of what it might be.
“Kilsyth, I must interfere,” Pickmore objected. “If she is going to trust you, you must be thorough in your explanation, and not dangle a prize before her.”
At least Pickmore seemed a bit more pleasant than Kilsyth, not that Eve would trust him any more than she currently did her new guardian.
“Eve, you are to remain here as my ward. I shall take care of you in the manner of which is expected. You, in turn, will present yourself to me each morning to be taught whichever lessons I decide upon for the day.”
“Taught?” What could he possibly teach her that she hadn’t already learned?
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“What if I don’t wish ta be taught?”
“Then your life shall be quite dull as you’ll have nothing to do but wander about this townhouse until such time as I decide to give you a Season, which I’m loath to do since I abhor balls and whatnot.” He tilted his head and studied her. “However, it is unlikely to happen as it would be a waste of my time because the moment you open your mouth and your speech is revealed, no gentleman of character would consider you as a future wife.”
Eve let the insult slide as panic rose. “I won’t be allowed ta leave?”
“We’ve a nice garden behind the house, but I see no need for outings. You’ll have clothing, food, and a library to enjoy. What more could you want?”
A life of luxury with no worry sounded heavenly. But it would also grow quite tedious in a short time. “I’m ta be a prisoner if I don’t agree ta bein’ taught.”
“Hardly that, but your time here could be spent in a more enjoyable manner.”
“By bein’ taught?” Would it really be such a hardship to become his pupil?
“Yes! By being taught whatever I wish to teach you.”
What kind of gentleman wished to teach? He was a wealthy earl! “No outin’s?” he’d mentioned horses to ride. Would she not be given the opportunity if she didn’t do as he asked?
“I’m certain in time that I could arrange a ride or walk through the park, but in truth, Miss Doyle, I’m a very busy man with a demanding schedule.”
“Not so demandin’ if ye have time ta teach me,” she countered.
Kilsyth narrowed his eyes on her. “Perhaps I’d be more willing to allow outings if you were agreeable to my instruction.”
Bribery—that is all this was. Of course, his demands could be far worse and education never harmed a soul. However, she didn’t like being threatened. Not that he threatened to actually harm her person, but her life could become quite dull if she didn’t do as he asked.
Yet, did she let pride stand in her way simply because she was affronted?
“Do we understand one another, Miss Doyle?”
Eve bit her lip. She did enjoy her studies when she was younger…
“Eve?” he asked, a warning edge to his tone.
“Are ye always dis impatient when waitin’ for an answer?” she asked, not willing to let Kilsyth intimidate her.
“Only when the one making the decision is taking too long to come to the correct conclusion.”
“Well, if it’s all the same to ye, I’d like to consider me options.”
“By all means, consider away,” Kilsyth crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against his desk, her necklace dangling from his fingers. “You’ve but two options, and neither of them allow you to leave the house without my permission.”
A prison it was. However, itwouldbe to her advantage to learn more of Kilsyth and she could only do that by spending time in his presence. Once she learned all that she needed, then Eve would decide whether she’d remain in his home or not. “I’ll let ye teach me.”
“I knew you’d come around to what was best for you.” He pulled away from the desk. “Bundle her away, Mrs. Peade and see that she is presented to me first thing in the morning.”
