His dark brows lowered and his eyes narrowed as he moved to the edge of the seat, which brought him closer to her.
"That is insulting, and as you know nothing about me, I fail to see what right you have to make such a baseless accusation. Furthermore, what makes you believe that I would want to do that with you?"
"You kissed me."
"A foolish mistake I assure you I will not repeat."
"But why did you kiss me?"
"It seemed a good idea at the time, but it was not to lure you into my bed, I promise you."
It seemed a good idea at the time. She had no idea what that meant. But he was right about one thing, she had been insulting, and rude, and why indeed would he want to do that with her? Lord, she'd just made a fool of herself, and all because he'd kissed her. In fact, he'd only ever tried to help her and she'd pushed his help aside.
"I'm sorry, I had no right to speak as I did, my lord. My only defense is that the last few weeks have not been easy, and while that is no excuse for the insults I just cast upon your person, or my ungrateful behavior, they are the reason."
"I can see that life is not playing you a fair hand, Poppy-"
"Could I prevail upon you to call me, Miss March, my lord?"
She didn't like the sound of her name on his lips. It sounded intimate, which was silly, because the last time he had pronounced it, it was in a clipped tone, and who could blame him.
"I like Poppy, so I am using it."
"That's very high-handed of you." For pity's sake, Poppy, shut up, he is already angry.
"I'm a high-and-mighty lord, remember?"
She could almost believe she'd hurt him with her innuendoes.
"My name is Jacob, if you care to use it."
"I- No, it would not be right for me to do so. I also have no need of a doctor, my lord, as I am already feeling much better, so perhaps you could tell me your news, and then I shall return home."
"You need a doctor, Miss March."
She managed a small smile at his correct use of her name.
"I will see one. There is a clinic two streets away, I shall be sure to attend it in the morning."
"Can I ask you a question, Miss March?"
Poppy nodded instead of shaking her head, which was her first instinct.
"What do you do in the brothel?"
"You have already asked that question."
"And yet you have not answered it."
She understood why he asked the question then, realized with a flash of insight what he believed of her.
"Y-you believe that I would d-do that?"
His eyes didn't waver.
"I don't know you, Miss March, therefore I have no idea of your character."
He was doing what she had done to him. Judging him for no other reason than appearance and circumstance.
"I am not a prostitute, my lord."
"I am relieved."
"Perhaps now you can tell me what news you have found out about Lady Revel?"
"I will, but first I want you to tell me what you are doing at the brothel."
"Why, for heaven's sake?" Poppy let her frustration rise. "You don't need to know things about me. We are acquainted in a business capacity, and nothing more."
"All true," he acknowledged, "however I wish you would humor me, as I do have an end goal in sight."
"I don't want to discuss this any further, therefore if you are not going to discuss the matter of Lady Revel, which incidentally is why I contacted you, then let me down."
He folded his hands and settled back on the seat.
"Tell your driver to stop, please."
He actually closed his eyes.
"For goodness sake." Poppy huffed out a breath. "I am cleaning there, and fail to see what business that is of yours."
His eyes opened. Astute as ever, they focused on her.
"You clean in a brothel. That can't be very pleasant."
"Needs must, my lord. Now I have told you what you wish to know, so please do the same."
He waved a hand about. "I will, but first tell me, do you read and write?"
"Of course. I helped my father a great deal."
"Are you any good with calculations?"
Poppy nodded.
"Tell me, Miss March, do you like working in the brothel?"
She couldn't believe he was actually asking her that question. "Would you?"
"No, in fact I would rather eat lumpy porridge at every meal, but as I don't have to do either, we shall return to you."
"I wish you would return to Lady Revel, as I am unsure where this is going."
"Are you any good at keeping secrets, Miss March?"