Page 6 of Celestes Forever Marquess
His brows shot up in surprise. She’d clearly thrown him off. She took a sip of her champagne. “You see, Lord Haven, I’m what is considered something of a scandalous woman.”
His green eyes filled with amusement. “Or a woman who has made something of herself. Some might call that commendable, Hathaway.”
Confusion filled her that he seemed unfazed by her background. Didn’t this man understand that lords like him were meant to find proper young ladies?
“Caleb,” his mother called from another area of the drawing room.
He smiled and leaned closer to Celeste. “Was your explanation supposed to make me find you less interesting? I’m not sure it worked.”
Celeste frowned at him as he walked away. Once he was immersed in the London season, he would understand. She was sure of that.
Chapter 3
Caleb smiled as he saw Hathaway trudging down the road from Derry Hall. So far, there wasn’t a goose in sight. Her determination to walk today made him admire her even more. There was apparently no hiding from her fears—at least if they were geese.
He walked quickly to catch up to her. Caleb didn’t know what it was about Hathaway, but she intrigued him. Honestly, far more than any other lady he had met. She had a confidence that exuded from her being that he liked. It was evident that she was not a woman waiting for a husband.
He’d been shocked to discover she was part-owner of the Den. He hadn’t visited the establishment but planned to attend their next decadent ball. She glanced back and saw him catching up to her. Caleb smiled, and she frowned back at him but stopped, waiting for him.
“Good morning, Lord Haven.”
“Call me Caleb.”
Her frown deepened.
“I hate it when you call me that,” he added. His own words surprised him, but it was true.
When she addressed him formally, she did it in a way that seemed to put distance between them. Christ! He was acting odd. Caleb barely knew her but didn’t want her to hold him at arm's length.
“Anything else wouldn’t be appropriate,” she stated.
He winked at her and held out his arm. “I saved you yesterday. Doesn’t that make us the closest of friends?”
She begrudgingly smiled at him. “I’m not sure that is how it works, Lord Haven.”
Caleb wiggled the arm he was holding out. She sighed and took it.
“Thank you, Hathaway.”
Hathaway rolled her eyes. “You didn’t give me much choice.”
He laughed but didn’t deny it, pulling them toward a smaller path. They walked quietly, but curious about her, Caleb eventually asked, “So how does a woman become part-owner in a gentlemen’s club?”
“Hard work.”
He tilted his head and waited for her to add more. They reached a more wooded area that also contained a few benches. Sighing, she asked, “Why do you want to know? Is it so strange in your world to meet a woman who can provide for herself?”
Caleb was drawn to her directness. No, she wasn’t the first woman he’d met who could hold her own, but she was the first one who intrigued him so much. “I’m simply impressed. Now, how did you come to be part-owner?”
“I started as a hostess for the gaming tables and worked my way up,” she provided.
“Are there other ladies in London who own a gentlemen’s club?”
“Not that I know of.”
“I’m awed by you, Celeste,” he said, using her given name.
Her gaze flew to his face, and he wondered if he should apologize for being so forward. Shocking him, she laughed. “Thank you, Caleb.”
