She lifted a brow. “I told you last night. I haven’t any other clothing.”
Something exhilarating slithered behind Rayne’s gaze. “Are you telling me you were planning to meetAlistairdressed as you are?”
Whoops.
No turning back now. She lifted her chin. “Alistair prefers me in breeches.”
The exciting slither flashed again.
“He says”—she swiveled around—“I have the most darling—”
Rayne paled. “That’s enough, Julia.”
“Julia?” She swiveled back. “Who isJulia? You’d think—” She cocked her hips. “You’d recognize your very own Katerina,darling.”
His voice lowered—in tone as well as in volume. “I amnotgoing to call you Katerina.”
“Very well.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I prefer my paramours call me Kitty.”
His eyes rounded. “Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”
Damnation.She’d guessed right, hadn’t she? “Who says I don’t understand? Let’s not forget my dearestAlick.”
His nostrils flared. “Alec—not Al-lick…if you want me to believe you’re on intimate terms with the Viscount, at the very least use the correct pronunciation of his name. Now,Mrs. Van Heldt—rules.”
“I think not.” Fie on his male authority. “I don’t do well with rules.”
“You don’t say?”
“Sarcasm”—she tightened her lips—“does not become you.”
“Look, kitten—”
She stopped breathing. “What did you call me?”
He flashed a row of straight, white teeth. “Good for the goose, good for the gander.”
She folded her arms. “You know the plural of both gander and goose is geese, don’t you? Almost as if the males are disposable, which they may well be…except for…well, you know.”
He cleared his throat. “As I was saying, we are going to be traveling fordays.”
“Three more,” she clarified. “At a minimum.”
He eyed her with surprise. “Yes, three.”
“Really, darling, I’ve been north before. Katherine is mistress of Bromton Castle, or have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten? No.” He blinked. “Have you been inside the Grange?”
“Only on the grounds. Clarissa preferred to stay at the Castle.”
His lips puckered as if he might spit.
She stepped back. “Is not mentioning Clarissa’s choice of residence one of these rules you are so interested in establishing?”
His lips flattened. “Yes.”
She considered. “Ihave a rule.”
