Page 11 of How to Tempt an Earl

Her gaze sharpened. “Of course, but from all that I’ve heard, you are already a man of wealth, my lord.”

The title made Ian stiffen. It represented everything he despised, everything he was now being forced to accept. “No ‘lord.’”

“But you are now a lord. Proper titles will be one of the first steps in any lesson.”

“No titles. Not when we are alone.”

“What shall I call you then? Mr. Swift?”

“No. Call me Ian, and I will call you Grace.”

She looked at him incredulously. “That’s horribly improper.”

“In private, remember? You may ‘lord’ me as much as you’d like while we are out and about, and I shall call you Miss Ashton. Now, do you agree to tutor me?”

She shook her head. “You do not need me. You can easily hire someone. A gentleman would be best.”

“I could, but you are here and are qualified. You are also not in a position to refuse.”

“You are gravely mistaken. I am not in a position to accept. If word got out that I was tutoring you, my reputation would be ruined.”

“I also prefer to keep my lessons a secret. I do not want my mother, the Dowager Countess, to learn of them.”

“I have more to lose. My reputation is all I have.”

“Then we must be careful.”

She worried her bottom lip. His gaze once again lowered to her mouth. He realized she bit her lip when she was nervous. It would drive him to distraction during his lessons. He wanted to lick her plump bottom lip, nip it with his teeth, and suck it into his mouth.

She shifted from side to side, oblivious to his erotic thoughts. “It would be impossible for me to visit a bachelor’s residence during the day. I’d have to come at night.”

“I own a gaming club, remember? I’m accustomed to late hours. I will leave the club shortly after midnight for my lessons. My man, Brooks, will oversee the club during my absence.”

She remained silent, and Ian knew she was considering his proposition. He was surprised how badly he wanted her to say yes.

She tapped her foot as she thought. “I’d have to wait until the household was asleep, slip out of the house, and hire a hack after dark.”

“No hack.”

She stilled, and her gaze flew to his. “You would expect me to walk alone at night?”

“No. I’ll have an unmarked carriage wait by the mews behind your father’s home each evening. I will return you to your home the same way before sunrise.”

“If I agree to aid you, will this satisfy my father’s debts?”

“Yes.”

“All six thousand pounds?”

Ian nodded.

“Will you refuse him admittance here?” she asked.

His mouth thinned. “That will not solve your problems. You must know he will seek out another gambling establishment.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Then you must promise to help him reform his ways.”

His jaw hardened. “Now you seek the impossible.”