“MrFranco, if you please. We are in England.”
Lord Stephenglanced at Mr Franco. “Since when do you refer to yourself assuch?”
“Myfather and mother may claim Italy and Campania as their birthplace,but I was born here, Farlisle.” Mr Franco turned his dazzling smileon Sera. “My lady, are you here to donate?”
Lord Stephen’sfrown turned ferocious. “Franco, that is not why—”
“Wecan show you more of our programme, if you give me a moment to makemyself presentable.” Grinning, he gestured at Lord Stephen. “Hislordship here, too.”
Glancing betweenthem, she returned Mr Franco’s smile even as her thoughts raced.“Your programme?”
“Ourcharity receives patronage from some of the most prestigious peoplein the Ton, as I’m sure Lord Stephen has already informed you. I amcertain, however, a lady such as yourself does not require myopinion when it is clear you are more than capable of forming yourown.”
Mr Franco wasvery charming, flattering in the right places, deferential inothers. No doubt he won many a patron to his side with hischarisma, and his roguish grin would have the ladies flocking tobask in his glow and, she was certain, to his bed. “Mr Franco, doyou find such an approach often works? I imagine you apply suchflattery frequently.”
For a moment, hestared at her, then he burst out in laughter. “I do, LadySeraphina,” he said. “Has it worked with you?”
“Perhaps. I will discuss it with my man of business, in anyevent. Being charitable is our duty and our privilege, do you notthink?”
“Ido.” He turned an amused glance on Lord Stephen. “You didn’t bringher here for the charity, did you?”
“Ididn’t bring her here at all,” Lord Stephen said sourly.
“Va bene.” He looked at Lord Stephen. “Midispiace, my friend.”
Lord Stephenshrugged.
“Ishall leave you now. As I said, a delight to meet you, LadySeraphina.”
“Andyou, Mr Franco.” She gave him her prettiest smile.
Amusement lithis features. He glanced at Lord Stephen. “Good luck.”
Lord Stephengrunted.
With anotherdazzling smile, Mr Franco bowed and departed.
As Mr Francorejoined those on the field, Sera turned to Lord Stephen. “Acharity?”
His handstightened on his biceps. “As Franco said.”
She digestedthis. She had heard nothing of Lord Stephen’s involvement with acharity and, if Maria and Elizabeth could not discover it, it meanthe kept it very quiet indeed. “And what is thischarity?”
He exhaled.“None of your concern.”
“Itis my concern, if I am to contribute to it.”
He shot her adark look. “You do not have to prevaricate for my benefit. Clearly,Franco could think of no other reason you would behere.”
“Your conquests do not often come to quiver and sigh over yourphysical prowess?”
His gazesharpened. “Is that what you were doing? Quivering andsighing?”
Abruptly, sherealised she had lost control of this conversation. “You run acharity?” she said instead.
He stared at hera moment, clearly torn. “I do,” he finally said.
“What is it?”
