“You can’t. That’s the beauty and the curse of words,” he stated. “You should know that with all your study. After all, who can tame the tongue? It has both life and death—”
“I know my Bible, Lord Penderdale,” Elizabeth cut in, wanting to flirt, but resisting. Was that all she did around this man? Resist?Don’t capitulate or lose your temper. Don’t fall for his charm…resist.
“Collin,” he chided softly. “After all, I’m going to be shameless in my use of your name, whenever possible.”
She glanced heavenward. “I regret giving you leave to use it.”
“And nevertheless, you can’t take it back, can you?”
“According to you, no. Words apparently take on a life of their own once released into the wild.”
“I’m glad you understand,” he said with an approving tone.
“Don’t talk down to me,” she retorted with a glare.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“That I don’t believe,” she snapped back, but she couldn’t resist the grin that broke across her lips.
“How about…” He paused and mused for asecond. “I wouldn’t dare talk down to you unless it was in a flirtatious manner?”
Elizabeth studied him, words about to tumble from her mouth, but she held them back. Flirtatious? Was he flirting?
Was she flirting?
Yes. Yes she was. Good Lord, she was openly flirting in her father’s parlor. What had become of her?
“I do believe I’ve left you speechless. A first, I’m sure.”
She glared. “Not a first, but I am more cautious with my words than others,” she said, pointedly accusing him.
“Or you simply restrict your words based on the emotions you don’t wish to consider,” he countered. “Ah, tea.” He stepped back and regarded her, his eyes sparkling with challenge and mischief, flaunting that he’d won the moment.
She couldn’t very well give a smart rebuttal with Molly’s eagle eyes on her.
“Touché,” she whispered, earning a gloating smile from Collin.
“To be continued later?” he asked a little too hopefully.
How could she say no? She didn’t back down from a challenge, but her verbal sparring with Collin was…fun, exciting. He made her think, study herself, and articulate her thoughts concisely.
She’d never met anyone like that.
And it was addicting.
“Miss, here’s some of your fresh honey for the biscuits as well,” Molly pointed out before stepping back to allow Elizabeth to pour the tea.
“Thank you, Molly,” she replied and then turned to Collin. “How would you like your tea?”
“No cream, but I’d love a little honey,” he added. “I rather like sweet things.”
Elizabeth’s contemplation cut to him, and she narrowed her eyes.
He merely smiled wider, as if proud of himself.
“You can certainly use the sweetening up,” she noted, using his own words against him.
He winced playfully. “Touché.”
