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The corners of her eyes crinkled with her smile. “I believe you are the first gentleman who has ever read my book. How utterly unusual.”
A curious silence fell as they studied each other. Her expression was serene; but, from the tight clasp of her gloved hands in her lap, Colin perceived her anxiousness. Guilt cut deep inside him. He could not turn her away from this job simply because he was unexpectedly attracted to her loveliness. Colin did not believe in dallying with any servant or person in his employ. But he could not in good conscience hold her accountable for his damnably undisciplined reaction. He would simply suppress it, and perhaps there was little to be concerned about. The attraction had been fleeting and could be construed as an anomaly. Looking at Miss Fernsby now, and noting the lack of stirring in his gut, Colin decided his reaction had definitely been an abnormality.
Very good then, he would proceed with the interview and would attempt to judge her fairly. “Miss Fernsby, thank you for responding to my letter.”
She nodded quickly. “I thank you for responding to my advert and granting me this opportunity.”
All inane pleasantries aside, he said, “It was impressed upon me that I need to quickly learn all the correct etiquette and charm the ton admires. My siblings are also in need of proper guidance with little time to achieve it. We are in late March with the season about to start. There is already a stack of invitations in my study to many balls and events that they are determined to attend. They need to be ready. I am really looking for someone capable of transforming them. Luckily, two of my sisters are not ready to be out, at least for another year or two.”
Miss Fernsby’s eyes had widened at his speech. “Which society do you wish them to be prepared for, Mr. Fairbanks? Are they acquainted with the ton?”
For a moment his mind blanked, then he groaned silently. He had not introduced himself as an earl. His housekeeper knocked and bustled inside the study, arranging tea and delicacies on the small walnut table to the side. “Thank you, Mrs. Peregrine.”
She dipped into a bow and replied, “Yes, Your Lordship.”
Miss Fernsby was staring at him, her lips parted in evident astonishment. “Your Lordship?” she asked when the door closed behind the exit of the housekeeper.
“I am the Earl of Celdon.”
“Good heavens!” Miss Fernsby lurched to her feet and dipped into an elegant curtsy.
He hurriedly stood. “Please, Miss Fernsby, this courtesy is not necessary. Let us dispense with all formalities for the moment.”
She hesitated, then with a curious glow in her eyes, she asked, “They make you uncomfortable?”
“At every turn there is someone bowing or curtsying…I would simply like to conduct this interview without any of that genuflecting.”
“As you wish, Your Lordship,” she said politely, taking a seat.
He lowered himself onto the sofa once again. “I only discovered I am the new Earl of Celdon a few months ago. Before that I was merely a country gentleman with a modest estate, lands, and mines. I have eleven siblings, and almost all of them are currently in town.”
“Eleven siblings,” she asked faintly.
“Yes.”
“And everyone requires social polish?”
“The current Dowager Countess of Celdon believes it wise for us to improve upon our conduct for polite society. It felt like providence when I saw your advert, Miss Fernsby, and that is why I invited you here today.”
He spent a few minutes speaking about his eight sisters and three brothers, and the expectations the old dragon seemed to have for their family. Colin ended with saying, “It all starts with me, of course; and, as the head of the family, if I expect my sisters and brothers to also become invested in polishing their images and reputations, I must then lead by example.”
Miss Fernsby folded her hands primly in her lap, her attention wholly concentrated on him. “That is why you are seeking to retain an etiquette teacher for a year.”
“Yes.”
“You must allow, my lord, that it might take more than a year.”
“I’ll allow for it.”
A slight frown marred her brow. “Other tutors such as dancing and a music teacher might need to be engaged depending on the skill set of your siblings. With that said, I believe I am more than capable for this task, and I have a few recommendations here for your perusal.”
She removed them from her reticule, and he reached for them. He waited until she sat back down before he read the glowing testimonial of her capabilities. “Where do you glean your knowledge, Miss Fernsby?”
“My aunt, a viscountess, has been tutor to me for several years. She took me with her on her various social calls over the years where I have observed the proprieties enough where I could author a guide that has sold modestly. I have also read numerous books on the subject matter, my lord. I will recommend a few further suggestions for reading for your sisters.”
“Do you have other family in town?”
“No, my lord, they live in Bedfordshire.”
