Page 67 of How to Tempt an Earl

“They are not mistakes so much as ways to improve your profitability. The roulette table is the most lucrative, as I’m sure you know. Next are the hazard and vingt-et-un tables. But the whist and quadrille games are least profitable. I venture to guess it is because those games of chance are more commonly offered at supper parties and balls. If you removed one of those tables and replaced it with one of the three most popular ones I mentioned—such as roulette—then you could double your weekly profits.”

He stared at her stunned. Not only was she mathematically inclined, she was brilliant.

“I thought you hated gambling.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I do. Studying your books hasn’t changed my opinion, but I cannot help but analyze the figures this way. It is a curse or a gift depending on how one views my abilities.”

“It is a gift.”

She hesitated and licked her lips. “There are other reasons I felt compelled to study the rest of your books for profitability.”

“Such as?”

She lifted her chin and boldly met his gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me you use the club’s income for charitable purposes? You are the anonymous donor for the Orphan Children’s Relief Society, aren’t you?”

He’d admired that she’d discovered the information. He never spelled out his charities, just made brief notations. “What makes you believe that?”

“The initials of the charity combined with the precise amount. The donation was discussed in depth at our last meeting. Do you deny it?”

Why bother? She was shrewder than he’d even thought. “No.”

“Why donate to the orphanage?”

He shrugged. “I have much. Through no fault of their own, they have very little. Also, my mother is a member of your group.”

“I accept that reasoning, but what of the others?”

“What others?” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized his mistake. His denial was useless. He was beginning to acknowledge the extent of her talents.

She glowered at him. “The books do not lie. There are a dozen or so other charities. All for the benefit of children and women.”

He remained silent. His ledgers were a secret portal into his innermost soul. He’d never feared anyone could decipher them.

Until now.

He’d told her part of the truth. He had amassed more wealth than he would ever need. There were many less fortunate, many who had been like him. There were other reasons, deep-seated ones, that he never spoke of.

“There are two to the mental asylums. Why?”

She was getting too close. “I told you. They are helpless, just like the children and women.”

“I see,” she said, but he knew she could not.

“Would it change anything between us if you knew?” he asked.

“Perhaps,” she said softly. “But I haven’t forgiven you for your deception.”

He couldn’t blame her for her mistrust, but he didn’t want what had happened to taint what was going on here, now, in this room as they unearthed both of their secrets to each other. Secrets that were revealed in his ledgers and her ability to decipher them.

He knelt by the chair and took her hands. A pencil smudge marred two fingers of her right hand. It only served to heighten his attraction. “Grace,” he said softly. “If I could take it back I would.” He turned her hands over and pressed a hot kiss in the center of each palm.

Her lips parted. “Ian, I—”

His lips traveled to brush a kiss on the sensitive skin at her wrist. “Do you want to know what I think?”

She nodded.

His dark gaze lifted to hers. “I think you’re a highly intelligent lady. Gifted.”