The Female Charm by Amelia Price Read Free Book Online Page A

gave her his
usual fake smile.
    “Why don't you
tell me what you've seen in here?” he said, not giving her the time
to say anything else. She went to look at the people nearby, but he
stopped her. “No, Amelia. Look at me and tell me what you've already seen.”
    She gulped as she
tried to remember everything she'd observed in the last few
minutes, but under his intense gaze she felt too unravelled to
process the information. Trying to calm herself, she looked down at
the table.
    The waitress
rescued her mind from its turmoil by bringing over a tray and
placing a large pot of tea and two cups on the table.
    “Come on, Amelia.
It shouldn't take this long,” he said as soon as they were alone
again. Knowing she just had to take the plunge and suffer any
admonishment, she took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
    “By the door,
there's a couple of teenagers. On their first date... Or perhaps
their second,” she said as her mind began to re-imagine what she'd
seen only moments before. “I don't think he's as interested in her
as she'd like. Either that or something has him distracted.”
    “The latter,”
Myron said. “Did you see what?”
    “No. I was
distracted by the toddler, getting angry over their chip having too
much ketchup on it.” She bit down on her lip and glanced at his
face but he didn't look too angry at her admission. He sighed and
gave her a disapproving look, so she tried to look apologetic.
    “You should learn
to take in more at once and not let one sound distract you from
focusing on everything until you have all the information you
need.”
    She nodded and
took another deep breath. Myron was nothing if not intimidating,
and it still seemed a little unreal that she was taking lessons
from him.
    Over the next
twenty minutes she described everything she'd noticed and what it
told her about the people. It wasn't as much as her second attempt
at the hotel in London but it was better than her first. Each time
she missed something, Myron filled her in on the details, also not
looking to verify anything. By the end, Amelia sat back with her
mind blown.
    “I can't believe
you learnt all that from that short space of time and while you
were ordering the tea,” she said. “You're amazing.”
    Myron blinked a
couple of times and then finally stopped looking at her to stare at
his teacup. It didn't take her more than a few seconds to realise
her praise of him had made him uncomfortable.
    “What made you say
yes to me?” she asked to make sure no awkward silence developed. He
didn't answer right away, evidently taking a moment to think about
it.
    “Curiosity,” he
said, eventually. “Even I can learn new things. I wanted to know
what it felt like to have someone to teach.”
    “Surely people
have wanted to learn from you before?”
    “Some have, yes.
My brother has taught another, but I've never done so.”
    “I figured
Sebastian had. He occasionally mentions that he had someone who
used to help him with the odd case.”
    “Most people are
far too annoying or stupid to be in a room with for more than a few
minutes. I've never found anyone I can tolerate long enough to
instruct.”
    “Then I'm honoured
that you're teaching me. I really do hope you'll keep doing
it.”
    “Yes, well, you've
learnt enough for today. It's time you went home.”
    She sighed, not
wanting to leave now she was comfortable with Myron but she knew
there would be no arguing, and there was only one more train that
would leave in time to get her all the way back to Bath. She'd come
a long way and knew when she set out that it would only give her a
few hours with the eldest Holmes.
    Obeying his
command, she stood and gathered her things. When he made no move
himself, she paused.
    “Daniels will take
you to the train station. I'll stay here. I don't want to miss the
opportunity to meet this reporter. Go on, be off with you.”
    She smiled. It was
just like him to be brusque with her now that her latest lesson