“Are your parents alive?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And they are approving of your desire to work?”
There was the slightest hesitation, and then she murmured, “I have my aunt’s permission, my lord. I am also a lady with a measure of independence.”
“Does that mean you are married?”
His gut tightened as he awaited an answer.
“I am not, my lord.”
“I see.”
Looking at her, Colin could tell there was more to it. There was a shadow in her eyes that spoke of something private.
“You need this job,” he murmured.
Her throat worked on a swallow, and he could see the anxiety in her eyes. “I…yes I do, my lord.”
“Are you discreet, Miss Fernsby?”
“Very much so, my lord! I assure you nothing we speak of will ever be repeated.”
He wanted to hire her, yet there was a warning chill in his gut. Damn it all to hell. “I propose a trial period of eight weeks,” he said. “If we work reasonably well together we can progress from there. I will advance you a sum of two hundred pounds and then we will revisit the matter at the end of the two months.”
Her eyes lit up and her shoulders relaxed. “Very well, Your Lordship; you will not be disappointed.”
She stood, and this time, instead of extending her arm for a handshake, she dipped into an elegant curtsy. The door to the drawing room flung open and his sister blasted inside like a whirlwind.
“Oh, Colin, I swear the old dragon—”
Fanny faltered, her lips parting in surprise when she saw that he had company. “I was not aware you had a visitor; pray forgive the intrusion,” she said, her eyes bright with curiosity as she stared at Miss Fernsby.
Colin made swift introductions and a brief explanation.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fairbanks,” Miss Fernsby said, and dipped into a slight curtsy.
“An etiquette tutor,” his sister said. “And you expect all of us to avail ourselves of her teachings?”
“Yes,” he said mildly. Colin glanced over his shoulder at the clock on the mantle. “Our meeting just ended, and I have business to attend.”
Namely sleeping, and then meeting the solicitors for the estate at three in the afternoon. “I will inform the family of my decision later at dinner.”
“I am not certain whether to be amused or appalled,” Fanny said, walking over to Miss Fernsby who watched their interaction with great interest.
“Good heavens, you are a beautiful woman,” she said as Fanny stopped right before her.
“I know, it’s the curse of the family,” Fanny said, canting her head to study Miss Fernsby.
“To be beautiful?”
“Yes.”
That small but very lush mouth curved into a small smile. Colin looked away from Miss Fernsby’s mouth when he felt that low hook in his gut once more.
“Many would think it a blessing to be so ravishingly lovely,” she said with a light laugh.