What Elise had done, how naïve he’d been, was none of her concern. “If I’d realized it was your wish to spar and pry, I’d have not ventured from my residence.”

With a grimace, she squeezed her eyes shut. “My apologies. I wanted to ask a favor of you, and I’ve probably mucked things up to such an extent you’ll refuse me.” When she opened those large eyes of hers, they reflected such sincerity that it might be impossible to find the words to refuse her, whatever she asked. “I hope you won’t think me overly familiar, but I noticed last night, during the few minutes when you were actually paying attention to your book, that you seemed to excel at reading as you were turning the pages quite quickly.”

“As I said, I was educated. Oxford.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “I see.”

He didn’t know why he’d felt a need to impress her. Unwilling to elaborate further, he felt a fool for mentioning it in the first place.

“Then you’re perfect,” she said.

He scoffed. “I don’t believe that term has ever been applied to me.” Certainly not by Elise, at least not after they married. Before that, she had him strutting about like a bloody peacock, thinking every aspect of him pleased her, when it was only his title that held any significance for her.

“Well, for what I have in mind you’re perfect. My brother’s secretary, Mr. Tittlefitz—you might have met him when you leased your residence as he sees to those matters—and I hold a class for adults every Monday and Wednesday. We focus on teaching reading. As my nights are going to become quite busy once I am introduced into Society, I wondered if you might be willing to take over for me when I’m not available.”

Not if his life depended on it. Why would he want to spend any more time in the company of a title chaser than he had to? Even if she wouldn’t be there, their paths would surely cross to some extent. The only favor he intended to do was for himself, and that involved keeping his distance. “I’m sorry. I fear I haven’t the patience for such a task.”

“But it is so rewarding.”

“Do I look to be a man in need of rewards?”

She couldn’t have appeared more stricken if she’d just witnessed him kicking a puppy. Damn her for making him regret the harshness of his tone.

“To be quite honest, you struck me as a man of leisure who might be in want of a way to fill his hours and wouldn’t need recompense for the task.”