“It is the same with horses,” he said readily. “The right lesson delivered at the right moment is never forgotten.”
“But what was the lesson?”
“The most obvious one. Though your brother and I were friends, our situations would never be comparable, and I should never be so fool as to forget it.” Their gazes locked for a potent moment and Eliza averted hers first.
“You could not have known then that he would inherit the dukedom.”
“Even if he had not, the disparity would have remained great.” Nicholas did not appear to resent this, but presented it as a known fact.
It was on Eliza’s lips to ask if their adventure had been worth it, but she had no chance to do as much.
“My lady?” Higgins fairly squeaked.
“Perhaps you might see if His Grace is home, Higgins, as Captain Emerson seems inclined to wait upon him.”
“Very good, my lady.” The butler did not let his gaze stray from their visitor and Eliza could fairly taste his distrust. “Shall I send Phipps for another pot of tea, my lady?”
“An excellent idea. Thank you, Higgins.”
Higgins spared Nicholas one last grim glance then departed, pointedly leaving the dining room door open behind him. There were maids in the hall, tending the fire in the foyer and cleaning the floor, so Eliza knew their conversation was being observed. She might be a widow, but she still had a reputation to protect. She appreciated Higgins’ thoughtfulness, though she thought his worries misplaced.
Nicholas was no more interested in seducing her than in, well, kissing his young sister. Eliza felt a surge of dissatisfaction and wished heartily that she could become the kind of woman with whom men liked to dally.
Eliza North: temptress.
No, she would have to use her maiden name, if anyone was to believe the appellation.
Eliza DeVries: temptress.
She liked the sound of that. That lady would have read the volume advertised in this morning’s newspaper and done so unflinchingly.
A temptress might have composed such a work.
Perhaps it was time Eliza was less demure and predictable.
Nicholas watched her as he drank, his expression enigmatic. “You smile again,” he fairly purred.
Eliza chose to provoke him a little. “I was considering the merit of becoming a temptress. The choice must have its advantages.”
He laughed in surprise, leaning back in his chair. His eyes gleamed as he watched her. “I should think you would need a tutor, Mrs. North, given the respectability of your nature.”
“You may be right, Captain Emerson,” she replied mildly, feeling that she had found her footing. “Have you a candidate to recommend?”
“I already offered to lead you astray.”
Eliza held his gaze. “And what would you do, Captain Emerson, if I agreed?”
“I believe I should fall off my chair in shock, and then I would realize that you were teasing me.” He gestured to the open door with his brandy. “Is that a comment upon my reputation or your own?”
“I could not begin to speculate upon your reputation, Captain Emerson.”
Nicholas laughed shortly. “Well put, Mrs. North. We both know that you are above reproach in all circles.” There was no malice in his words but they still stung. He tilted his head to regard her, his gaze sharpening again. “Are you always so alarmingly composed in the morning?”
“I fail to see anything alarming about the fact that I slept well.” Eliza smiled. “I shall endeavor to sleep poorly, if you believe it more fitting.”
Nicholas snorted and sipped his brandy. Eliza waited until he was mid-sip, then spoke with the intent of surprising him.
“Or you could drink less, fornicate less and sleep more yourself,” she suggested.
