The Social Tutor: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 1) by Sally Britton

Author:Sally Britton [Britton, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Sally Britton
Published: 2018-01-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Thomas waited beneath a tree, going over his mother’s words to him, recounting all he knew of Christine: her trusting nature, her lack of experience with men, her innocence and naivete to the ways of the world.

She asked him, a near stranger, to meet with her in private in order to be taught how to flirt.

His mother was right. This foolish endeavor, giving her tools that would lead her into trouble, would make him responsible for her downfall. For there was no doubt in his mind that a rake of the ton would recognize her at once for what she was: an innocent maiden with very few protectors. Christine would likely fall prey to the flattering advances of a man whose intentions would be anything but honorable.

How could he teach her it would be unwise to give her trust to a man of ill repute? How would she recognize trouble when it came to call? The chit likely would not understand the danger until it became too late. The very thought of her, young and kind, ruined by a cad, caused him to grind his teeth together.

Thomas’s temper rose slowly, both with her and with himself. How could he have been so foolish as to take on such a role of responsibility, attempting to prepare her for society? He did nothing more than prepare the victim for the sacrifice.

Maybe enough time remained to give her a lesson in care. She could not be too unaware of the dangers facing young ladies, could she? Surely someone, even her pugnacious father, would have warned her against wolves in sheep’s clothing?

She arrived precisely on time, as she always did, on her side of the brook.

“Mr. Gilbert,” she said brightly. “Good afternoon! Isn’t it lovely to have the sun back?” Then, without a by-your-leave, she crossed the water on her stunning horse.

She did not even blink. Did not even question the appropriateness of the move.

The last time they were together had been in the greenhouse. A very confined space.

Circumstances forced that, he told himself, and she ought to have gone back to the boundaries we deemed appropriate in the beginning.

She dismounted while he debated what to say to her, whether or not to reprimand her. She tethered her horse next to his near a scraggly patch of late autumn weeds, then approached with a confident grin.

“I have some very particular questions today. Shall we begin, Mr. Gilbert?”

All at once the idea came to him and his plan of action, half formed, was launched with all the subtlety of an English warship.

“Thomas. Please, call me Thomas. After all, we have been meeting in secret long enough to become friends.” He smiled in what he hoped was a charming manner, though he would not be surprised if she caught a hint of his frustration.

She hesitated, narrowing her eyes at him. “I thought you wanted to follow all the proper forms?”

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug and turned to fully face her, hands clasped behind his back.

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