Page 21 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
“Of course not,” Phineas assured her. “But I think you have convinced me. You are in desperate need of my help.”
Christianna smiled at him broadly. “I think you are teasing me, Phineas.”
“I am,” he said as he reached out and repositioned her hand on his arm. “But that does not change our situation.”
“Please,” Christianna said quietly. “You know I would not ask you to assume this teaching position if I did not think it was necessary. I recognise that there is a gap in my learning, and I am asking you to help me fill the void.”
Phineas gazed at Christianna and realised that she was being perfectly serious. “Fine,” he acquiesced, “but this is to be a simple, straightforward agreement. I am your teacher, Doctor Radcliff, and you are my student, Lady Christianna.”
“But of course,” she agreed readily. “Whatever you say.”
He laughed at her enthusiasm. “I do not know whether I should be eager to begin our lessons or run away and hide.”
“Why would you wish to hide?” she asked innocently.
“This is going to be quite a daunting task for me, Christianna,” Phineas answered.
“Because I have so much to learn?” she ventured.
“No,” he said as another laugh escaped his lips. “Because you are a beautiful woman, and I am teaching you how to seduce a gentleman. What if I slip up and get carried away?”
“Oh,” Christianna said quietly as she tightened her grip on his arm, “I am sure that will not be a problem. You are the consummate professional, Doctor Radcliff. And I trust you to teach me, without crossing a line.”
“Yes,” he murmured, “You are right, of course.”
“Very well,” she said as she dropped her hold on him. “Should we begin our tutorials at once or…?”
“Have you not already had enough for the day?” he interrupted.
She shook her head vehemently. “The wedding is in ten days, Doctor Radcliff. We must devote ourselves to this task completely if I am to make any progress before the wedding night.”
“Very well,” Phineas said as he offered her his arm so they might walk up the hill once more. “On what topic would you like to focus our studies first?”
“Well, I was thinking…” As Christianna set about asking him dozens of questions about subjects he had never even thought through very carefully, Phineas felt an incredible wave of sympathy for her wash through his soul.
If I thought it would do any good to pull Percy aside again and discuss this matter with him, I would give that a go.
But Phineas knew better than that. Percy had already made up his mind. He was going to enjoy his last days as a bachelor, and that meant that Christianna had a point. If she was ever to catch Percy’s attention and pull him away from all the splendours of Society, even after they were married, she was going to have to put in a great deal of effort. Not just any woman would be capable of keeping Percy’s attention for long.
So, as they walked back to the garden party, Phineas did his best to answer Christianna’s questions, and he hoped that in doing so, he was helping matters, not somehow, most unwittingly, making them worse.
Chapter 9
“My aunt just told me there is to be dancing after supper tonight,” Christianna hissed as she tugged on Phineas’ arm and yanked him into the library with her.
“Yes,” he replied smoothly. “But I do not see any troubles on that score. I have seen you dance, Lady Christianna. You are as graceful, perhaps even more so, than anyone else who will—”
“Doctor Radcliff,” Christianna groaned, “now is not the time for your flattery. I am having a bit of a crisis here.”
He paused and pulled the door closed behind them. “What is the problem?” he asked as he gave her a clinical stare.
“I have no physical issues,” Christianna retorted, “but with the prospect of dancing only a few hours away, I find myself worrying that—”
“What?” Phineas questioned. “You wish to try to seduce Percy through your dancing skills?”
“Well…” Christianna grimaced at her own words. “Some other women can do as much. Why should I not be just as able?”
“Lady Christianna,” Phineas said slowly. “This all seems very superfluous. You will indubitably share at least one dance with Percy tonight. You need not worry about gaining his attention.”
