"And I think I can be a useful friend, if you'll allow me to be liberal with the term to an acquaintance, to you, Miss."

Not in terms of money, no. If she was half as clever with her business as with her approach, he could assume she'd need little help there. But there was always a bit of a threat of the law in some circumstances. That, especially, he would ease.

Of course, it would stir up a little scandal, but... Nowadays, that was almost a requirement of being in politics. It wasn't the death blow it once was.