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“Och, non. Non . It would not be worthy of you. You are, after all, a lady .”
    Charlotte felt a pinch of agitation as she crossed her arms over her chest. It seemed everyone was using that excuse as of late. If being a lady was going to keep her from eating and living her life, then she’d rather be anything but. “That is for me to decide, Madame, is it not? Now if you please. I would like to know more about your school.”
    Madame de Maitenon paused, then relented with a dramatic sigh. “My school. Oui . It is—how shall I say this?— spécial . It will educate men in the art of love and seduction. And since its conception, I confess I have fretted and fretted over how I was going to protect the identities of my étudiants . And voilà , your tunnel appears! Why, with your house and your tunnel, I will be able to keep the identities of my étudiants hidden from the world. London shall watch me walk in and out of my school every day, but they will never see a single man do the same. ’Tis brilliant, non? For however long it lasts.”
    Charlotte blinked. No wonder no one was assisting the poor woman. Because no man would ever willingly sign up for such a thing. Not unless he had a cocked pistol to his head. “Are you being quite serious?”
    Madame de Maitenon lowered her chin. “Do you believe that men innately understand women and their true desires?”
    Charlotte genuinely laughed and rolled her eyes. “I have yet to meet such a man.”
    Madame de Maitenon smiled triumphantly. “You see. Which is why my school will be a success. Now.” She gestured toward the tunnel beside them. “I am willing to offer whatever it is you want for it. I can pay weekly or monthly. You decide.”
    This was rather a stunning turn of events. And one, she confessed, she much preferred over a trunk full of dresses. Or waiting around for the courts to make a decision.
    Charlotte eyed the woman. “What is the name of this school?”
    Madame de Maitenon held up her hands as if displaying a large brass plaque. “I call it Madame Thérèse’s School of Gallantry .” She said it so proudly, so majestically, there was no doubt the woman believed it would be a success.
    A school that would actually educate men on the topic of a woman’s pleasure? Why hadn’t she thought of that? If only these lessons could be mandated by law. Then real progress would be made in this world. “And aside from the tunnel,” Charlotte ventured, “is there anything else I could assist you with?”
    The woman lowered her hands and offered a small smile. “Well. As pretty as you are, I have no doubt you could be an enticement when the men come in with their applications. Perhaps …” She shrugged her slim shoulders as if coming up with small tasks. “Perhaps you would be willing to help during the interview process? I still have not found someone for that.”
    “An interview process?” That sounded rather complicated. Considering what it was they were applying for.
    “ Oui . I cannot have merely anyone walking into my school. I must be selective if I am to uphold its authenticity. Even with regard to those I originally invited. You see, not everyone knows about this school. I sent off fifty-three private advertisements to a select number of titled men whom I knew would benefit from what I have to offer. Men whom I have met, heard of, or had been recommended to me as worthy of my help. So you see, these men will need a lady’s finesse. A finesse in understanding what a pearl this school truly will be. Especially in the beginning. I have a good feeling you will be able to guide them most beautifully in this. After all, you have a charming, noble, and most commanding air to you.”
    Charlotte pulled in her chin at the thought of herself greeting titled men during their application to a school bound for scandal. “And what if someone recognizes me? Though I have no family to speak of, Chartwell kept a large circle of friends.” Not to mention a