The tensiondrained from his body. “This one is to increase literacy and schoolattendance in factory children.”
She blinked.This one? “How?”
“Werun a football league where participation is contingent onattending a certain number of hours of schooling. We also realiseif children attend school, they are not earning wages for theirfamily, so we pay them what they would have earned if they wereworking.”
Astonishmentlocked her jaw. He was— That— “This is what you want Sutton’s moneyfor?”
He noddedsharply.
“Whydid I know none of this?” she asked, almost to herself.
“TheTon is interested in pleasure, not toil.”
Hackles rising,she whipped her gaze to his.
Before sheopened her mouth to defend herself, he said, “I mean no offence. Weare raised to care of little but our own pleasure, especially if weare not a first-born son.” His lips twisted. “I know my father didnot care to impress upon me the importance of duty to one’s fellowman.”
Studying him,she said slowly, “And you have found this approachsuccessful?”
He nodded once.“We’ve had a significant increase in school attendance, but wealways require funds, hence my attendance at balls and gatherings.We must go where the money is.” He grimaced. “That remindsme.”
“Reminds you of what?”
“Imust see my brother.” He straightened. “So, you wished to seeme?
Belatedly, sherecalled the reason she had trudged out on this heath. The reasonhe hadforcedher to trudge out on the heath. Hiding herscowl, she opened her reticule and withdrew a folded sheaf ofpaper. “I have determined a plan for our courtship. As you can see,I have drawn up a schedule.”
Taking thesheaf, he leafed through it. “This is…comprehensive.”
She lifted herchin. “Of course. I am nothing if not thorough.”
“Thursday, three o’clock in the afternoon. Escort LadySeraphina to Liddle’s Tea Shop,” he read. “Thursday, half three inthe afternoon. Escort to Merriweather’s Book Emporium.” He raisedhis gaze to hers. “Only half an hour for an ice?”
“Youwill find all items allotted in thirty-minuteincrements.”
The corner ofhis mouth lifted. “Will I?”
“Ifind determining a unit of measurement helpful when planning.Thirty minutes seemed most effective—enough time to be noticed, nottoo much to be the subject of speculation.”
Almost smiling,he shook his head. “I cannot argue with that.”
“Look over my schedule. If you have any conflicts, mark themand return to me.”
He glanced atthe paper. “Tonight I shall see you at the Canton-Smythemusicale?”
“Youshall.”
“Excellent.” He smiled, widely and with genuine amusement. Ashe did on the field.
Her breathstrangled in her chest. When he smiled, he was…dazzling.Overwhelmed, she fought to conceal her reaction, to maintain thefiction she was unaffected. But she was affected.Horribly.
“Iwill see you again this evening, Lady Seraphina,” he said, hissmile fading to a warm glow. He gave no indication he had noticedher distraction. Thank goodness.
“Ifwe are to pretend courtship, you must call me Seraphina,” she said,pretending now herself composed.
“Seraphina.” His rough voice caressed her name.
A shiver ranthrough her. What on earth was wrong with her? This could not betolerated. “And I may call you Stephen?”
