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“I would.”
Phineas brushed past her and left the drawing room without saying another word. Daphne let out a sigh as she sat on a settee. What was wrong with her cousin? He would knowingly ruin that girl for his own self-gratification. He was a scoundrel, and nothing that she said or did was going to change that.
Barrow stepped into the room. “Mr. Huxley is here to see you,” he announced.
“Please send him in,” Daphne said as she rose.
Barrow nodded and retreated. A maid slipped into the room and went to sit in the corner. She pulled out a needle and thread from the pocket of her apron and began to sew.
Mr. Huxley walked into the room, stopping in front of her and bowing. “It is a pleasure to see you, Miss Locke.”
“Likewise, Mr. Huxley.”
“I do wish you would call me Albert.”
“I wouldn’t dare do that.”
“Whyever not?” he asked.
“I believe I have sufficiently explained my reasons.”
Mr. Huxley perused the length of her, and his eyes sparked with approval. “You are looking especially lovely today.”
Daphne had grown used to men and their flowery words, so she just smiled politely. “Thank you.” She gestured towards an upholstered armchair. “Would you care to sit?”
“I would,” he replied.
After she was situated on the settee near him, she asked, “Would you care for some refreshment?”
“No, thank you.”
“How are the repairs on the buildings at the colliery going?” Daphne asked.
He smiled. “They are going well,” he replied. “Furthermore, I convinced the bank to donate a few books for the workers.”
“That is so kind of you.”
“I am unsure if any of them can read.”
“If not, I can teach them.”
His smile dimmed. “You would teach them?” he asked. “For what purpose?”
“For their benefit.”
“I don’t believe the workers are interested in reading,” he said. “I just thought they would enjoy looking at the pictures.”
“How would you know that?” she asked.
Mr. Huxley pursed his lips. “They are a simple people.”
“They are smarter than you are giving them credit for,” she said.
“Or perhaps you are overestimating them?”
Clasping her hands in her lap, Daphne remarked, “You are being rather critical today, Mr. Huxley.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “This is not how I intended this conversation to go.”
