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society, but he didn’t have the deft attention to detail or the knowledge of every marriage and birth in London’s elite ten thousand that was necessary to ensure a girl’s success. He needed Lady Laughlin’s help for that.
    And yet he couldn’t deny that he was pleased to hear the front door shut and know that his house was all his own again. He was about to ask Miss Woodward if she’d had her midday meal when she set her jaw at a determined angle. “Lord Asten, I must speak with you.”
    â€œSpeak away,” he said, repressing a sigh. Luncheon would have to wait, but at least a maid had slipped in with tea as the Laughlins left.
    â€œI am concerned that in the past Lady Laughlin has been allowed to visit with Lady Eleanora during her lessons,” said Miss Woodward.
    He sat down on the sofa that the baroness had just vacated and indicated that she should take the chair across from him. “I suspect you might be right about calling at unconventional times. I hadn’t realized until just now.”
    â€œI’m also concerned that she will continue to do so despite my request to cease.”
    â€œWhy do you think that?” he asked with a frown. She still hadn’t taken a seat and it upset him far more than it rationally should.
    â€œI think you’ll find—”
    â€œDo you know what the prime minister does when he wishes to intimidate an MP who’s fallen out of line?”
    Her brow creased. “What?”
    â€œHe makes them stand about as far as you are from me and watches them from behind his desk. It’s supposed to let them know their place. My own drawing room is the last place where I’d like to see such a tactic employed.”
    â€œBut you don’t have a desk,” she pointed out.
    â€œI have a tea cart, and I plan to employ it. Please sit so I don’t have to drink it alone.”
    She hesitated as though not entirely sure what to think about him or his request but sat all the same.
    â€œYou may find, Miss Woodward, that it will take some time for Lady Laughlin to become accustomed to your insistence on keeping Eleanora’s lessons undisturbed. I can already tell that you’re made of stronger stuff than her previous governesses.”
    He shifted subtly as her scrutiny warmed him to his core.
    â€œI hope you don’t expect me to mince words,” she said.
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of it.” He reached for a dainty sandwich and threw up a little prayer of thanks. He was growing desperate for something to do with his hands rather than reach over the gap between them and pull the tempting Miss Woodward onto his lap.
    â€œIt isn’t just Lady Eleanora’s lessons that worry me,” said Miss Woodward, oblivious to his slow-burning fantasy in which he’d loosed her hair and was running his fingers through it in a rough comb.
    â€œHow do you mean?” he asked, fighting to maintain any sense of decorum.
    â€œWhen Lady Laughlin arrived, I sent her word that Lady Eleanora was occupied, and she sent Mr. Warthing back with a rebuttal.”
    That made him sit back. “This is the first I’m hearing of this. I thought Lady Laughlin said my daughter had ordered tea.”
    â€œShe did.”
    â€œBut if you sent Warthing back with a message, why would she have bothered getting out of her carriage?”
    â€œLady Laughlin and her daughters were not waiting in their carriage when I first met the baroness. They were already inside the house.”
    Asten’s eyes snapped up. “Are you suggesting that a woman of her breeding and rank walked into my home with her children in tow, summoned my daughter, and made herself comfortable in the front room?”
    â€œI’m not suggesting it,” Miss Woodward said. “I’m telling you that’s exactly what transpired.”
    It was a stunning accusation and, if it was true, it would mean Lady Laughlin was taking