The sun had barely cleared the horizon when they mounted up and left the inn behind. At the edge of the hamlet, she spied four young women entering Hook with baskets on hips, likely from a nearby farm. When her and Steadman’s horses approached the knot of young women, Morgan watched with fascinated disgust as four sets of highly interested eyes tracked Steadman’s progress. He seemed not to notice his audience, instead staring ahead with the hint of a smile and a raised chin. After passing them, however, he swept off his hat, twisted in his saddle, and executed a bow.
“Ladies,” he drawled, before returning upright and replacing the hat. His admirers erupted into giggles and closed ranks to whisper furiously.
Morgan rolled her eyes at Steadman. “Your popularity with the ladies appears to be more than just a myth.”
He shrugged. “It is my curse. All women find me charming.”
“All women? Have you met all women? Or just every woman in England?”
He raised an eyebrow at Morgan. “Do you mock me?”
“Of course not. You are quite above mockery. I am merely exploring the extent of your claim.” Bubbling mischief drove her onward. “And as I am a young fellow without experience, your powers of charm intrigue me. How did you develop such skill?”
“Aha.” He wagged his finger at her. “Finally, an intelligent question after so long a string of disappointments. But you see, my charm is not so much a skill as a natural gift. I have possessed the ability to charm the ladies since childhood.”
“You must have been a very naughty child.”
Steadman snorted in that way that was becoming familiar. “Of course not. My childhood charms earned me extra pudding and pats on the head, nothing more.”
“I see.” She shot him a mock frown. “Then I have no hope of developing such divine skill?”
“Oh, no, young sir. I recognize in you a latent talent, a buried seed that requires only proper instruction to flower. Instruction from, say, a master charmer.”
“Like you?”
“If you insist.”
Morgan coughed to cover a harrumph. “Well, then, Mr. Beau Monde Highwayman, I insist. Instruct me in the mystical ways of charming the fairer sex.”
“Very well, but only as you insist.” Steadman inspected the clouds in thought before nodding. “Charm, Mr. Brady, is a simple three-step process. Avoidance, recognition, and invitation.”
“Avoidance, recognition…”
“And invitation, yes. First, you must avoid eye contact to draw the young lady’s attention and must continue the evasion until she has nearly given up hope.”
“So, you start by acting like a jackass?” When Steadman frowned, she waved a hand. “But never mind. Proceed with your instruction.”
Steadman pushed his hat back on his head. “Right. When the avoidance has produced sufficient tension, you must engage her eyes directly, produce a smile of such warmth that the sun might blush, and offer heartfelt greetings.”
Morgan nodded while willing her eyes not to roll up in her head. “I see. So, you startle the poor woman with a display ofteeth and then bray at her. Again, something a jackass might do. No offense to jackasses.”
Steadman shook his head. “You seem skeptical, young buck.”
“Oh, no, sir. Please, continue illuminating me. I cannot adequately express my fascination with your brilliant process.”
“Humph,” he said. “As you wish. Where were we? Oh, yes. Once you have greeted the young woman, you must offer invitation by brandishing the most devastating of weapons—the look.”
Morgan cocked her head with disbelief. Was he joking? “Might I ask, what isthe look?”
Steadman chuckled and winked at her. She found the gesture unnerving. “Thepiece de resistance,”he said. “The frosting on the cake. The summit of the mount.”
“And this works on all women?” She failed to prevent sarcasm from creeping into her reply. “Every single woman, past, present, and future?”
He frowned again in thought. “Well, not all. My adopted daughter rolls her eyes whenever she catches me castingthe look, much as you are doing now.”
Morgan stopped rolling her eyes. His mention of an adopted daughter ignited her intrigue, which she filed away for later probing. “Very well, then. However, if I am to believe your claim, then I must witness thislook.”
“No.” He shook his head adamantly. “It doesn’t work on men. Most of them, anyway. You would just ridicule me.”
