Honora’s skin hummed more deliciously. It was very distracting. As was the insistent pull in Southwell’s direction.
“How disappointing.” She smoothed her skirts absently, wishing she’d worn something more eye-popping than the plain green dress with its black piping.
“Lady Trentdidask my assistance in securing the donation of Mrs. Culpepper.” He placed a hand to his chest. “I swear. I only didn’t realize there were two of you,” he admitted.
“I expected an explorer of your renown to be more thorough in his research.”
“Usually, I am. But I found myself impatient. I brought you something, Mrs. Culpepper. Something I think you’ll enjoy.”
“Other than your company?”
Southwell chuckled. He reached inside his coat, producing a small, leather tome from his pocket and setting it gently on the table between them. “Given your interest in the Amazon and South America, I thought you might find this entertaining.”
A Narrative of a Journey from Lima to Parawas stamped in gold along the front of the book. The very same book they’d discussed on that night five years ago.
Her eyes lifted to his, but she saw nothing there. No recognition. Nothing that told Honora that bringing her an accounting of two naval officers in the Amazon basin was anything more than coincidence.
“Thank you, my lord. I would like very much to read this.”
“Consider the book a bribe.”
“A bribe? Would you not do better to choose flowers or sweets, my lord?” Indeed, neither of those, though expected, would have swayed her in Southwell’s direction the way that book did.
And he knew it.
“I would like to take you for a carriage ride tomorrow.”
“An intriguing proposition.IfI were to agree.”
Laughter bubbled from him, unpracticed and genuine. The sound was so decadent and lovely. Incredibly male. It did something wonderful to her insides.
“We can speak of anacondas.” The elegant fingers once more continued their absent perusal of the carved arm of the chair, dipping and sliding over the wood. He was watching her from beneath his lashes. His mouth was parted slightly, tongue visible between the whiteness of his teeth.
Damn him.
“And jaguars?” Honora said in a breathless way, so unlike her usual speaking voice. He was so much better at this game than her. The air in the drawing room had thickened, nearly suffocating her with the intensity of their attraction to each other.
“And monkeys, if that is your desire.”
You. I desire you.
Honora blinked, horrified the words had popped into her mind. She was supposed to be the seducer. Keep her head while she lured Southwell in and then broke his heart. This wasn’t going at all as she’d imagined.
“Anythingthat you wish, madam.”
Honora’s toes curled inside her shoes. She had to regain control of the situation. Somehow.
When he shifted again in the chair, Honora didn’t miss the muffled grunt of pain. “Would you like to take a turn about the gardens, my lord?” she said. Southwell didn’t deserve an ounce of sympathy, she reminded herself.
They both stood, but he took longer to come to his feet, clutching the cane and avoiding her gaze as if embarrassed at his infirmity. “A turn about the gardens would be most welcome.” He extended his free arm to her.
Honora led him outside, careful to match her steps to his. It was a kindness, one that Honora would extend to anyone suffering, she told herself. She forced herself to think of every year she’d spent with Culpepper. How Tarrington had snorted at her and called her “piggy.” The humiliation still lingered inside her, demanding satisfaction.
How I wept at knowing he only pretended to like me.
“Something wrong, Mrs. Culpepper? I have the impression there’s a conversation going on inside your head I know nothing about.”
Honora’s steps faltered. He’d uttered those words to her before. She studied his face for any hint he recalled that night as vividly as she did, but saw nothing. “Not in the least. I was only thinking how to refuse your generous offer of a carriage ride.” She glanced at him, unsurprised to find him with that half smile firmly in place. The dimple dipped into his cheek, begging for her touch. “You’re very sure of yourself, my lord. What must it be like to be filled with such arrogance, I wonder?”
