“And I don’t have your knack for talking with people in a way that keeps them interested in what I have to say.” She gave a little laugh. “I think most ofthe gents I’ve danced with would have nodded off if we’d been sitting on a settee rather than moving over a dance floor.”
One corner of his mouth hitched. “I enjoy talking to people.”
“I don’t.” Part of the reason she’d insisted on no talking that first night was because she hadn’t wanted the gent who’d come for her to discover exactly how boring she could be. Strange, however, that she found it easier to speak with Rook. He never gave the impression that he found conversation with her mind-numbing. “I always find it awkward. Afterward I spend hours going over what I said and how I might have said it in a more interesting way. Especially when I wake up in the middle of the night. My brain just won’tshutdown. It repeats every bit of conversation I’ve had for days, for weeks. Sometimes it’ll be something I said months ago. Once I’ve spoken, I can’t seem to untether the words.”
“It’s because you’re so smart, Nora. You see things in extraordinary ways, in ways that people like me can’t even imagine.”
“If I can silence the words, I can’t stop the images that are circling about. I’m always trying to fit them together, to make them work.” She released a deep breath. “We’re a pair, Sam, you and I. The people in the factory love you because you stop and speak with them, and genuinely are interested in what they have to say. It’s not that I don’t care about them. I’m just not gifted at talking.”
“You didn’t seem to have any trouble doing so with Rook last night.”
Narrowing her eyes, she studied him. “When did you see me talking with him?”
He again shifted uncomfortably in the chair. “I may have glanced in the library before I departed.”
“Therefore, you did know where to find me.”
He nodded petulantly. “I just wanted to make sure you’d be all right.”
“Leaving me alone with a man we barely know?” Even if it was a fellow she trusted implicitly. “You weren’t at all concerned with my reputation?”
“You weren’t alone. People were about.”
She couldn’t help herself. She laughed. “Ah, Sam. By the by, I deduced where you’d probably gone and the reason that you left without telling me.”
“Of course you did. You’re better than anyone else I know at figuring out things.”
She sighed. “I’m worried this demonstration won’t be a success, Sam. That it won’t get us all the investors we require. You should make note of who appears the most interested, so we can meet with them afterward.”
He nodded. “The ball portion should provide you with an opportunity to make a case for the gents giving us money. After all, you’ll be dancing with them.”
She was dreading it. In fact, she was dreading the entire evening: addressing any questions that arose and then chatting with dance partners, striving to be interesting. “It’s imperative we ensure they understand what they are investing in and the potential earnings. I’ve written everything out so you can carry it with you and refer to it if you need to.”
“You’ve probably memorized it all.”
Her smile was no doubt a little winsome. “I’m going to pretend I haven’t. My mind intimidates people sometimes.” Except for Rook. He seemed to accept it. Why else would he have made arrangements for herto explore a roulette wheel? It had pleased her beyond measure that he’d gone to so much trouble for her. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had.
“Will you be going out with me tonight?” he asked quickly, the words following each other at a rapid pace as if he was desperate to change the subject while also hoping that she wouldn’t comprehend everything he was saying.
She suspected he had plans that he was hoping she wouldn’t witness.
“Not tonight.”
He looked somewhat relieved.
And while she knew it was none of her business, she was curious. “Are you returning to the brothel?”
He furrowed his brow. “Probably shouldn’t admit it but I thought I might.”
“Where are you getting your funding for all these...entertainmentsyou seem to be enjoying?” They weren’t dirt poor, not yet, but neither did they have money for frivolous things. A good portion of what they had, even with investors, would need to go back into the business. They had to provide their share.
He gave a careless shrug. “Sometimes I win at the tables.”
He used their money to have fun rather than responsibly allocating it for some of the changes they’d need for the factories. Childishly choosing an immediate reward over a long-term one that might provide him with enough funds to engage in many more enjoyable pursuits. “Do you think it’s wise to spend so flippantly?”
“I’m using these excursions to interest fellows in what we’re offering.”
“Which is my point. They need to know what actions we’ll take with what they give us, use it sensibly.”
