“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Catherine peeked behind her to Mrs. Burke, wondering if she read into the hidden meaning.
The chaperone worked silently on her needlepoint, seeming to ignore them both.
Quin met her amused expression with one of his own. “What’s all this?” He gestured to the side table with a neat stack of papers on top.
Catherine moved over to the table and traced a finger over the pile. “These are some of my ideas.”
“Some?” Quin’s brows arched. “How large would the pile be if it weremostof your ideas?” he inquired good-naturedly.
“A veritable mountain.”
“I suppose I should be thankful you’re starting me off small.”
“Indeed.”
Catherine lifted the stack and began to sort through it. “First of all, I’d like to get your perspective on several things. We spoke last night about Drury Lane, and I still think that’s a solid endeavor.”
Quin nodded, his brows hooding his eyes as he studied a sheet of paper she’d handed to him. “Do you have any of their quarterly reports? Any financial information?”
“Not yet, but I requested them and they should arrive today.”
“Good, good,” he murmured as he read the page.
Catherine hesitated, opening her mouth then shutting it as she struggled to decide how to formulate the next question.
Quin’s eyes narrowed. “Out with it.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Yes.” He nodded once, then turned to the next sheet of paper.
Catherine forced her shoulders to relax. Taking a seat, she gestured to one across from her, inviting Quin to sit as well. “I’d like to invest in a company that you’ll certainly recognize. But I don’t just want to invest. I want to help with distribution. The East India Trading Company.”
He gave an encouraging nod.
“I heard about it last year and dismissed it at the time. It wasn’t my place to invest, and my grandmother had only mentioned it in passing after one of her meetings with the solicitor. However, I inquired about it a week or so ago, just on a whim. It’s grown consistently and is in need of some assistance to take the next steps. I want to be that help.”
“Do you have someone to consult on investments?”
“Yes. My solicitor should have the name already.”
Quin nodded. “It’s a huge market, and the company’s trade between Britain and China is quite lucrative.” He leaned forward. “I’ve seen a Fellow at the college buy his title from the investment he made a few years ago. If you wish to invest, I’d do it quickly.”
“I’ll speak to my solicitor today.”
Quin gave an approving nod. “Any other companies?”
Catherine frowned. “I want to do something more than just make money. I want to make a difference.” She outlined her desire to set up a library, perhaps an orphanage. Both her ideas were met with Quin’s enthusiastic approval. Catherine’s heart warmed as they continued to discuss options, ideas, and ways to create the business plans to present later.
It was comforting, but more than that, it was fun to have a partner, to have someone she could trust. It was reminiscent of her courtship with Avery, but this was far deeper. With Avery, she shared her interests and ideas; with Quin she shared her soul.
He still hadn’t mentioned their kiss or attempted to kiss her again, but some instinct within her said he cared and far more than the way one friend cared for another.
She only wished he’d say the words rather than let his countenance speak for him.
Twenty-seven
It was an acute form of torture to be in the presence of Catherine in her element while being unable to taste her enthusiasm, hold her energy, or even trace the outline of her lips. Quin struggled to keep his focus on her words, to impart whatever insight he could offer rather than be lost in the way her presence lit up the parlor. The damnable Mrs. Burke was ever present.