Georgie sputtered. “But I am not thankful.”
“Whyever not?”
Georgie squared her shoulders. “I do not want to be in your debt, my lord,” she said. “I can take care of myself.”
Lord Grenton’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you being so obstinate on this? I thought you would be pleased that you wouldn’t have to sell your gowns.”
“I want to do my part to help these girls, and selling my gowns is a minor thing.”
“It isn’t necessary,” Lord Grenton said, his words curt. “I will pay for the tutors, and you have no reason to leave the safety of these walls.”
Georgie pursed her lips together as she stared back at Lord Grenton. This was a most difficult situation. She’d vowed to never be controlled by a man again when she left her brother’s house. However, she needed this job until she reached her majority, and not only for herself, but for others who were relying on her salary.
Lord Grenton took a step closer to the desk, his expression solemn. “Do we understand one another, Miss Lloyd?” he asked.
“Perfectly,” she replied through gritted teeth.
With an approving nod, Lord Grenton said, “Then I shall take my leave.”
Once he’d departed from the room, Georgie heard the sound of the window being opened. She turned her head and saw Evie was climbing through it.
“Dare I ask how you opened that locked window?” Georgie queried.
Evie straightened and smoothed out her pale blue gown. “It was quite easy with my dagger,” she replied. “I must admit that I shamelessly eavesdropped on your conversation with Lord Grenton.”
“That man vexes me.”
“He does make a valid point,” Evie said. “The market is no place for a lady.”
“Regardless, I still intend to go and sell my gowns,” Georgie announced.
“For what purpose?” Evie asked. “Lord Grenton has offered to pay for the tutors.”
“That may be true, but the funds from the gowns could serve another purpose.”
“Such as?”
Georgie shrugged. “I don’t know, but I will not let Lord Grenton dictate my actions,” she said. “I refuse to give him that control over me.”
“You are playing a dangerous game,” Evie advised. “Lord Grenton may dismiss you if he discovers that you went against his wishes.”
“He will never find out.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Georgie rose. “I can’t, but it is a risk that I am willing to take.”
A bright smile lit Evie’s face. “Then let us depart.”
Georgie sat in the coach as it slowly made its way towards the market. There was entirely too much traffic on the street, and their pace was sluggish at best.
“It would have been faster to walk,” Georgie remarked.
“Perhaps, but it is far safer to travel by coach to the market,” Evie said.
Georgie gave Evie a curious look. “May I ask why you frequent the market?”
“I don’t go very often, but it proves useful sometimes,” Evie replied. “I have met the most unusual people there.”
