Jacob kept quiet and let Marcus persuade her.
"Surely it is a better prospect to start work in daylight hours, Miss March? And not have to be exposed to what I'm sure you have been, working in the brothel?"
"Have you been propositioned, Miss March?"
She nodded at Charlotte's question, as Jacob had known she would. She was too pretty, too innocent and untarnished, not to have had men attempting to coerce her to lie with them. It wasn't a pleasing thought.
"Then take the offer of employment and leave the brothel, before the propositions become more forceful, as you know, given time, they will."
Her eyes went from Charlotte to Marcus and then Jacob.
"I am independent."
"Which is I'm sure an admirable trait," Marcus added. "However, you are not stupid, and we all need help at some stage in our life."
She found a small smile and it made her look younger, and so sweet Jacob wanted to look away.
"You make it hard for me to refuse."
"Then don't," Jacob said. This time she looked at him and smiled. It was the first real one he'd seen her give, and had his friends not been in the room, he had a bad feeling he'd simply have snatched her up and kissed her senseless. Looking away, Jacob knew this had to stop. There would never be anything between them.
"Very well, and thank you. I would be extremely grateful if you would allow me to work for you until I have found another position."
Jacob didn't show his relief, but it was there. She would be safe now, and where he could keep an eye on her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Poppy had risen early, bathed, and pulled on her best dress. She was pleased to be going to work at such a hospitable hour. Pleased that she would no longer have to fend off men with lecherous intentions, especially that horrid Lord Kinsale. But she was nervous about what was expected of her, and if she could fulfil those expectations. There was also the matter of Lord Hatherton. Lady Needly had told Poppy his name, and she could no longer deny he intrigued her. He had taken up residence inside her head and now seemed lodged there. She'd even dreamed of him last night.
Men did not intrigue Poppy. In fact, most often she thought them fools, but Lord Hatherton made her heart thud hard in her chest-which was why she was rude to him. Poppy didn't know how to cope with this attraction, so she did so by being awkward. But last night she'd realized that had to stop. After all, because of him, she was about to go to work in an office that in all likelihood would be warm. He had also agreed to investigate this business with Lady Revel, and then there were the carriage rides and tea.
"You, Poppy March, are ungrateful," she muttered, turning into Night Street. Her parents would be ashamed of her behavior.
He'd taken her home after Lord and Lady Needly had left, and dropped her on her doorstep. This time he had not attempted to kiss her, and for that she was thankful... no, really, Poppy, you were. She now wore a bandage on her fingers, and her arm was in a sling, which was extremely annoying, but she could hardly quibble with his direction that she do so, considering they had stopped aching.
Reaching the building Lord Hatherton had given her directions to, Poppy opened the door and entered. From the outside it did not look like the place several affluent lords would frequent, as it was actually rather bland and unappealing. But perhaps that was why. Hadn't Lord Hatherton told her that anonymity was important to them?
Inside was no less inviting, and actually quite plain. Perhaps she could bring some flowers tomorrow? Surely they would not upset anyone. She found a desk with a man who was scratching away over a ledger. He looked up as she approached. Tall and thin, he wore small round spectacles and had a head of gray hair ruthlessly cropped short.
"Good morning, Miss March. My name is Mr. Perkins."
"Good morning to you, Mr. Perkins." Poppy smiled.
"I am unsure how much use you will be to me with your arm in that sling, but please place your belongings over there," he waved to a small cupboard, "then take a seat here beside me, and I shall attempt to teach you what the Lords believe you need to assist me with."
Poppy's smile fell at the man's words. "It is not my writing hand, and I assure you it will not hinder me at all. I'm sorry if you did not want me here, Mr. Perkins. I would definitely not have accepted the position if I had known I would not be welcomed."
Surprise showed on his face as she talked, but Poppy rushed on.
"I did not ask for this position, and it was only offered to me as I am at present between positions and in need of work. But I will leave if you would rather I did so, as I do have a position I can go to." Poppy had her pride, and she would not stay where she was not wanted.