His smile reached her with devastating effect. Oh, his melting smile. “You are mocking me.”
His smile vanished. He turned his head, looking out past the barrier of flowers to the tops of the trees and over the back wall of the gardens. When he turned back again, his eyes were genuine and warm. “I would never mock you.”
His earnest concentration was unsettling. It was like being watched by a blue agate Greek statue come alive in the shadows of a marble hall. “You need to build a connection with the lady, get to know her on a deeper level before committing to a relationship.”
“You mean taking her to the zoo to view the monkeys?”
Elizabeth caught the flash of amusement as her laughter pealed across the gardens. “I hardly think that is a way to woo the lady on your first meeting.” She pasted on a serious expression. “Have you been formally introduced to the lady?”
He nodded his handsome head. “And then some.”
“A gentleman’s habits and conduct are closely observed. He must be punctual, respectful, and courteous to a lady. The lady always must be accompanied by a chaperone.”
“You don’t have a chaperone.”
“May I point out you came upon me. Regardless, I consider you a friend.”
“A friend?”
He seemed put out when she had called him a friend. “Flowers, candy or music are acceptable gifts. More substantial gifts might imply improper intentions.”
“So, a pet parrot might not be considered acceptable?”
Elizabeth burst out laughing and then comported herself. “A lady must be particular during the early days of courtship. Your habits must awaken her vigilant attention before it is too late.”
Elizabeth straightened her spine. “Should he be sloppy, seek vulgar amusements or expensive pleasures or display frivolity of mind, the young lady should eschew that gentleman’s acquaintance.”
“Do I have any of those faults?”
Elizabeth huffed. Oh, how he stood there, watching her, his expression making it clear his rightful place in the universe. “You are seeking compliments.”
“If she has kissed me, does that mean she has assured me of reciprocation of her attachment?”
Her jaw dropped. This was madness. The cad. “You have kissed her?”
“Would it be impolitic of me to admit that?”
Her breath burned in her throat. He had kissed Elizabeth and another. The man was without scruples. “You are very smug for someone who needs tutoring in the art of courtship.” Oh, to take perverse delight in piercing his enjoyment.
He chuckled as though he played a game. “I apologize. Do go on.”
A warning voice told her to finish the tutoring and leave. “Mr. Rourke,” she said, giving a sharp tap to the bench with her fingertip. “After being raised in the south, I cannot imagine a gentleman such as yourself is not perfectly conversant with the courting of young ladies.”
He gritted out a scornful laugh, raking his hands through his ebony hair. He took two steps toward her and then stopped. “What makes you think I would be? I’ve been living in crude conditions out west for a long time and have forgotten rudimentary customs.”
Elizabeth reared back. “You cannot imagine—I don’t mean it as an insult. It’s that you are an extraordinary handsome gentleman…”
He looked at her with intense interest and she colored.
“I didn’t think she had a care how I looked.”
“I doubt that many ladies have quite the same blindness as your intended.”
Despite his irreverence to her, he was glorious as he stood in his potent silence, contemplating her, a brooding Archangel Michael brushed by dark, invisible wings.
“The matter is of utmost importance to me, and I don’t have any idea how to begin.”
Elizabeth attempted to put a note of sympathy in her voice. “Is she unaware of your intentions?”
