His lips curved into a most wicked smile. “What lessons could you teach me?” he wondered as if he already knew the answer.
She swallowed for courage and said, “Not the ones you seem to be thinking of.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“You have a reputation.”
He shook his head as if slightly disappointed and took a step back. “Very well, you aren’t looking for seduction, and you haven’t run in fear or swooned into my arms. I appreciate that. Swooning females are tiresome.”
“I imagine swooning males are equally annoying.”
His lips twitched as if he stifled a smile. “I wouldn’t know.”
“I do. Indiscriminate swooning is a bane for all involved.”
He gave a sharp bark of laugher as if she had surprised him. “Quite true.” He gave her a small bow of respect, and his manner changed to one of respect. “So, what do you wish of me, my lady?”
“A moment of your time. It is impossible for a woman, especially a single woman of our class, to speak to an unmarried gentleman without the gossips having the wrong idea. I couldn’t knock on your door. We don’t have any acquaintances in common.” She shrugged. “This seemed to be the only way to make contact, and if someone were to walk in right now, it could be awkward. Would you please sit, Your Grace? You are tall, and I tire of looking up at you.”
Without argument, he did exactly as she asked. He walked to the chair in front of the fire and plopped down. He held out his gloved hands, a sign that he was at her disposal.
She moved between his chair and its footstool to stand in front of him. “I would like you to become the chief patron of my charity.”
“Me?” He eyed her suspiciously. “Involved with a charity? Are you certain you wouldn’t rather be seduced?”
Celeste made an impatient sound. “I’m being serious.”
“I am, too.”
“Your Grace, I am making an earnest request. However, if you are not interested, say as much and I will happily leave.” She threw the last words out with a hint of bravado, although her greatest fear was that he would reject her offer.
He shook his head. “If it is a charity, a wiser course would be to solicit Lady Redhill’s assistance. Isn’t she the maven of charities amongst theton?” She heard the hint of distaste in his tone. It was rumored that he and the powerful Lady Redhill despised each other. Another reason Celeste had come to him.
“I went to Lady Redhill. She laughed at me. She dismissed my idea as ‘unimportant.’ And you are right that everyone in Society turns to her for approval. If I had a shilling for every time I’ve been asked if I have discussed this proposal with Lady Redhill, I wouldn’t need to raise money.”
“Rejected by Lady Redhill. You truly are desperate then.”
“I am.”
“But you know one person who isn’t afraid of her power,” he said confidently.
“You,” she answered. “I am hoping you will hear me out and agree to help.”
“I’d agree to help just to tweak her ladyship’s nose. However, go on. What is this charity you want me to sponsor?”
This was the question she had prayed to hear. Proprieties flew from her mind in her enthusiasm to gain his support. She sat on the footstool, ready to sway him to her cause.
Lady Celeste’sexpressive eyes filled with sincerity and a hope kindred to desire, and Oliver found himself wishing she did want to be seduced. The hearth light haloed her golden curlsand highlighted the curves of very generous breasts and the beckoning shadow of her cleavage.
Oliver knew he should not even be encouraging her. Without Lady Redhill’s blessing, her cause was hopeless.
However, he was curious about what she was planning. Her passion for her cause shone bright in her eyes, and that cherry and rose scent swirled around her like some siren’s spell.
“I want to help our soldiers who have been severely wounded by the war. Many men have lost an arm or a leg, or been blinded. There are men who have no family to help care for them. They end up begging on the streets.”
Oliver gave a start. She had surprised him. He had been anticipating a decorated box for the poor or a garden project with a statue in some park. Even a home for motherless children. That was the purview of gently reared young ladies.
Not men who had been destroyed by war.
