To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars 5)

“Your peace of mind is of no great import to me.”

Haviland smiled and cocked his head at her. “Has anyone ever suggested that you are too independent for your own good, Miss Ellis?”

She was independent because she’d had to be, yet he gave her no time to say so.

“I admire your determination to be self-sufficient, but it is foolhardy to refuse my help when I am more than willing to give it.”

Unexpectedly, Madeline was at a loss for words. Perhaps she was being foolhardy in turning down Haviland’s offer of assistance. In truth, his kindness brought another unwanted lump to her throat. She was fully accustomed to caring for others, not having someone care for her, particularly a near stranger. And she was sorely tempted to rely on the strength that radiated from him.

Despite the temptation, however, she couldn’t accept. Not only because of the impropriety, but because she didn’t wish to be in his debt. “Thank you, but I cannot accept your largesse.”

“Well, I am not letting you go to London on your own.” Then Haviland suddenly changed the subject again. “What about teaching?”

Madeline blinked. “What about it?”

“My closest neighbors in Chiswick are three genteel sisters who have recently married. They are looking for suitable replacements to teach at their academy for young ladies. It could be an ideal solution for you. In fact, I can take you to stay tonight with the eldest sister, Arabella, Lady Danvers. I just saw her and Danvers at a house party in Brighton, but they left early, even before I did, to return home to Chiswick. Before that, they were away on their wedding trip for some weeks and needed to see to their obligations.”

“I could not possibly allow you to do any such thing.”

That gave him pause. “Are you saying you don’t want to teach?”

“No, I am not saying that at all. I might like teaching very well. But I cannot just show up on her doorstep uninvited.”

“Of course you can. I will vouch for you, so you needn’t worry about being turned away. I promise you will be doing Lady Danvers a kindness if you can teach adolescent girls how to become ladies.” He held up a hand to forestall her continuing protest. “I am not inviting debate, Miss Ellis.”

Madeline’s spine stiffened again. “Are you always this overbearing?”

“Are you always this stubborn?”

“Yes!”

His smile moved from his lips to his beautiful eyes. “At least you gave me fair warning. You do indeed speak your mind.”

She couldn’t help but laugh—although why she should find it amusing to have a nobleman running roughshod over her, she couldn’t imagine.

As if sensing that she was wavering, Haviland prodded her further. “At least consider my idea, Miss Ellis. I sincerely want to repay my debt to your father, and this will allow me to in some small measure. Besides, you were correct earlier when you said I am a gentleman, and it would not be at all gentlemanly to leave you to the mercy of a bounder when I could easily prevent it.”

When Madeline continued to debate with herself, he added provokingly, “Surely you won’t refuse just to spare your pride? It is not charity to help find you gainful employment.”

Pride was indeed a major flaw of hers, Madeline conceded. Maman had frequently lamented her failing. And admittedly, she was prickly about the need to accept charity. She bit her lower lip, wondering what her maman would do in this situation.

“So are we agreed?” Haviland asked, watching her expression.

Madeline raised a hand to her temple. Her head was spinning at the speed with which this man was directing her life. Yet if he merely gave her an introduction to Lady Danvers and secured her an interview for a position as a teacher … well, that would not be so bad—

She gave a start when another male voice interrupted her thoughts.

“I say, old chap, I did not realize you were occupied.”

At the unexpected arrival of the newcomer, Madeline jumped to her feet, and in the process, Haviland’s greatcoat slipped from one shoulder to expose her nightdress.

The rather gangly blond-haired gentleman who had just entered the parlor stopped abruptly to give her an admiring perusal. “Leave it to you to find a willing female to comfort you on a foul night like this, Rayne,” he said with a touch of envy in his tone.

Madeline flushed pink as she righted the garment to cover her exposure, while Haviland rose and spoke to the blond man rather sharply. “Stubble your wicked misconjectures, cawker. Miss Ellis is a lady. You merely find her under unfortunate circumstances.”

His tone softened as he addressed Madeline. “I beg your pardon, Miss Ellis. This sorry bleater is a distant cousin of mine—the Honorable Mr. Freddie Lunsford.”

Mr. Lunsford eyed her skeptically for another moment, then executed a gallant bow and flashed a charming grin. “Do forgive me, Miss Ellis. I frequently eat both of my feet at once. But you can see how I could have misconstrued events.”