His eyes landed on Evie. “Miss Ashmore,” he greeted with a slight bow. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Evie dropped into a slight curtsy. “My lord,” she murmured.
Lord Grenton turned his attention towards Georgie. “Miss Lloyd,” he said. “I do hope I am not intruding.”
“You are not,” Georgie replied, relieved she hadn’t made any progress up the wall next to her. What would Lord Grenton have thought if he’d arrived to find her dangling from the second-story window? “How may I help you, my lord?”
“I was hoping to speak to you in private,” Lord Grenton replied.
“We can speak in my office.” Georgie turned to Evie and said, “We will be back in a few moments.”
Evie nodded. “Do not concern yourself with me. I will be indulging in these biscuits.”
Lord Grenton gestured for Georgie to lead the way inside. As they headed into the building, neither of them spoke, and Georgie felt no desire to fill the silence with pleasantries.
Georgie stepped into the office and came around the desk. She sat down and asked, “What would you care to speak to me about?”
Lord Grenton moved the chair from the corner to sit in front of the desk. “It has come to my attention that you intend to sell your gowns to pay for the tutors.”
Who had told him that? “I am,” she replied, seeing no reason to deny it. “Miss Ashmore and I intend to go to the market to sell them.”
“By yourself?” Lord Grenton asked.
“Is that an issue?”
Lord Grenton frowned. “Do you have no regard for your safety?” he asked. “You could be robbed, or worse.”
“I do appreciate your concern, but it is unnecessary.”
His brow shot up. “Why is that exactly?”
“Miss Ashmore has taught me how to use a muff pistol, and I will carry one on my person.”
“You truly believe a muff pistol will protect you from ruffians?”
“I do.”
“A muff pistol only has one shot,” Lord Grenton pointed out. “What if you are surrounded by a group of men?”
“That is highly improbable.”
Lord Grenton leaned forward in his seat. “I’m afraid it is more likely than you believe, Miss Lloyd,” he said. “You are a beautiful, well-bred woman, and that will garner attention the moment you step foot into the marketplace.”
Georgie couldn’t pretend that Lord Grenton’s remarks didn’t gratify her vanity, but it didn’t sway her from her objective. “Selling my gowns will finance tutors for the foreseeable future. It is a risk that I am willing to take.”
“There is no need—not anymore.”
Georgie cocked her head. “Pardon?”
“I have decided to finance the tutors, albeit temporarily, so there is no reason to sell your gowns,” Lord Grenton said. “You will remain here at the orphanage, where you are safe.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. You were adamant that I had to find the funds in the budget.”
“But you didn’t find it in the budget, did you?”
“No, but I did not think you would object to me selling my own gowns.”
Lord Grenton rose. “A simple thank you would suffice.”
