Forcing a smile to his lips, Aaron said, “Yes, of course, sir. After all, it belongs to you. But when you’re ready to sell, I’ll be happy to take it off your hands.”
Miss Dunston gave one of her dramatic sighs that sent a pleasant pebbling to his skin. “Mr. Barker loves the theater as much as I and knows I can save it from closing.”
“As if you know what’s best,” Aaron began, but Mr. Barker cut off his words.
“May I please speak? Both of you, be silent!” The proprietor turned the ring on his finger. “As I told Miss Dunston, even if the funds were raised tomorrow, there is no guarantee I can remain open in the coming years. But it’s well worth the trouble if people return. The problem is ticket sales are low this year. Therefore, I want to recruit both of you to help with selling tickets for this month’s production. It’s my last chance to bring it back to its former glory.”
Aaron stifled a snort. This man expected a hero—a knight!—to sell tickets to a play? How dare he make such a trivial request of him!
Miss Dunston, however, was quick to agree. “Tell me how I may help. I can go house to house if you’d like. This will save them the annoyance of waiting until the last minute and finding no seats available. You will also know how many showings of your play you can offer. More tickets sold means more nights of performance.” She flashed Aaron a mischievous grin. “Whatever you need, I shall do.”
“I think that’s a marvelous idea,” Mr. Barker said.
Aaron stifled a groan. Why would he agree with Miss Dunston? But her innocent smile gave him his answer. It was a lovely smile, after all.
“As I mentioned earlier,” Miss Dunston said, “if I sell enough tickets, that money can cover the cost of the production. Any donations you receive beyond that can go to the repairs on the building and the planning of future performances.”
Aaron frowned. If Miss Dunston wished to spend her days as a ticket saleswoman, so be it. He had no desire to become an employee of the theater.
Then a thought occurred to him. What if she chose to use her coquettish ways to convince the men of the village to purchase the tickets? Given how lovely she was, she could raise a great deal of money, which would undermine his plans for the gentlemen’s club.
Not only that, but something far worse could happen. What if her ways led her to another man catching her eye? Or she, his? Aaron could not have either. She needed someone with sense around her, one willing to protect her at all costs.
“I’ll accompany you,” he said. “After all, people will be more inclined to purchase from a knight with my standing than some unknown schoolgirl.”
Miss Dunston’s narrowed eyes made him grin. Even when her temper flared, she was beautiful.
“I don’t care how the tickets are sold,” Mr. Barker replied. “I just need to get through this production. After that, I’ll make a final decision on what to do with the theater. Now, we’ll not speak of the future until the tickets are sold, and the play has begun. Is that clear?”
“Mr. Barker,” called the brown-haired woman standing midstage, “I have a question about this line.”
“I really must get back to rehearsal. But once we’re finished, I’ll find the tickets.” He walked away, leaving Aaron alone with Miss Dunston.
“I’d prefer if you not accompany me, Sir Aaron,” she said with a scowl. “Your arrogance has a way of putting people off.”
Aaron barked a laugh. “My arrogance? Every wife in the village will run you out after they catch you flirting with their husbands!” He took a small step toward her, ignoring the gaping look she gave him. “It’s about time you set aside this act of innocence, Miss Dunston. You of all people should know that your flirtatious ways will one day get you into trouble. You’ve fooled many men, myself included, but it’s time to put a stop to such unbecoming mannerisms.”
Rather than angering her, however, she smiled. “Including you,” she whispered as she walked her fingers up his chest and winked. “It’s clear you enjoy my… what did you call it? Oh yes, my flirtatious ways. I don’t understand why they annoy you so. Perhaps you’re jealous?”
“Jealous of your flirting?” he asked with a snort.
Miss Dunston shook her head. “Of the men who receive it. I’d even go so far as to say you wish I limited my flirting to just you.”
Aaron could only gape in disbelief. Never had he encountered such pomposity from anyone before! Yet, could he dispute her accusation? Indeed, he could.
“You spout nonsense, Miss Dunston. I can assure you of that.”
“I see. So, this is all to keep me… innocent?” She batted her eyelashes, and not for the first time, his breath caught in his throat.
Forcing air back into his lungs, he said, “Before we begin this endeavor, we must discuss you sending me to Hensworth. When are you expected back at the school?”
“I have a few hours,” she replied. “Why?”
“Let’s go to the park. We can talk privately there. I believe it’s in our best interest that we work together, but to do so, we must decide the rules. Now, I can wait here and collect the tickets if you would like to run some errands.”
She nodded, turned, but then stopped. “My mind tells me I mustn’t trust you, Sir Aaron. That I should not allow you to have all the tickets.” She knitted her brow and tilted her head. “Yet my heart says that after all we’ve endured together thus far, you’ll not deceive me.”
Aaron raised his brows. “So, what will you do?”