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“What precisely do you mean?” she continued, still delighted with her sudden progress after days of getting nowhere on her own.
Simon had finally got her right where he wanted, like a fish on a hook. The night before, she spoke as though she knew him—as if she was better than him, but with just a few questions, he would rip through her façade and find out who exactly she pretended to be.
“It seems you have a certain idea of me,” he continued, “of who I am. But I suppose two can play that game. Like for a start, why would a Lady such as you wish to be the protégé of an unchivalrous rake?”
Eloise immediately got up, stepping away from the bench, sensing where this conversation was heading. “And what business is it of yours?”
Simon gradually stood up too, facing her square. “Oh, I certainly mean no offense, My Lady. But why not inquire about private tutoring. With a family of Viscounts, surely it’s not a matter of wealth?” He paused, rubbing his chin. “No, that would be too simple of an explanation. And you were practicing on your own? Hmm. Surely it is not to impress a Lord?”
As he spoke those final words, she lowered her gaze ever so slightly, telling him everything he ought to know.
Finally, upon mustering up the courage, she filled the excruciating silence. “I don’t know if he’s a Lord, but it doesn’t matter to me anyway, nor do I require your counseling on my personal problems.” She bit her bottom lip, possibly realizing she had said too much, then immediately turned to make her way to the door.
“Ah, so it is to impress someone. And you simply aren’t sure of his identity,” his words came out like a breeze, causing her to freeze in place, back still turned to him, as he continued, “how curious. Perhaps I could help with that.”
Eloise felt hot. With only a few words, he was unraveling every secret she had been so desperately trying to hide, but now with his words of suspicious support, a desperation took over. She intertwined her fingers in focus, remaining in thought for a moment.
He’s lying. It’s all a big ruse. Why did I even show up here? It was foolish of me to go against my own advice and speak with him…But I must still hear him out.
I mean, if he’s not lying, he could be the answer to all my problems.
Or I could go back to marrying that despicable being, James, and regretting this forever.
“Am I interrupting something?” Simon chirped slyly.
She ran her fingers through her hair, calming herself. With a twirl, she turned to face him once more, with all the confidence she could muster. “You said you can help me find him,” she paused, “I need proof. How precisely could you help?”
In one swift motion, he spun to a desk behind the pianoforte, picking up a stack of papers. “Say this man of yours attended an event,” he held up the sheets, “perhaps the Winter Season ball. I could have his name right on this list, and with that, I could quite effortlessly track down his identity, address, his whole lineage,” he paused to smirk in vanity. “Not many people have that kind of power, you know?”
Eloise’s breath hitched in her throat as her eyes grew wide at the sheaf of papers he was holding. Was this man implying what she thought? “Is…is that the list of attendees for the Winter Season ball?”
“Oh, this? Of course. Do you want it? I suppose now is the time to make a deal, no?”
“What deal?” she asked.
“Five days. Humor me for five days. And if in those five days, I can’t get you to swoon over this unchivalrous rake, the list is yours. In fact, I’ll personally help you track down this man you are seeking. Deal?”
She scoffed at his self-importance. Did he really believe she would fall to his feet in utter infatuation after just a few days? She almost pitied the poor Duke for his lack of self-awareness, this would be an easy feat, and it would possibly help her find her mystery suitor. So with a wide smile, attempting to stifle a giggle at the easiness of it all, she spoke again.
“Deal.”
