“She’s smart then. You’re going to have to put more effort into courting her than you would a typical London deb. But I have faith in you.”
The eldest of his sisters climbed the ladder, not minding that in doing so, she revealed her ankles and the lower half of her calves.
Out of respect for Hunt, both Damien and Edgeworth averted their gazes to the opposite end of the room.
“What are her interests?” Eloise asked as she perused the book placed level with her stare.
Her interests… Hunt savored a sip of scotch. “Her favorite class in school is something to do with domestic sciences. I’ve never heard of it.”
“You’re such a male sometimes.” Eloise laughed.
“What else would you have me be?”
“I imagine if she likes the domestic sciences, that she likes to cook.”
“How the devil do you know that?”
“Even I know what the domestic sciences entail,” Damien mocked as he strolled away from the table. “I make it a point to listen to my sister when she talks to me. What with six of your own, I’d imagine you’d have a better understanding of women than you do.”
“Catch.” Without warning, Eloise sent a book flying across the room. “Some reading for you.” If not for Hunt’s swift reflexes, the cloth-bound relic would have walloped him in the face.
Rather than chastise his sister for nearly putting his eye out, however, he read the cover. The Nuances and Efficiencies of Proper Domestic Management.
“Here’s another.”
Better prepared, this time, Hunt reached up and snagged the second book out of the air. The Art of the Domestic Sciences—Keeping One’s Husband Content.
“God save me,” Hunt muttered. But Eloise was right. If Allison liked learning such mundane subjects, then who was he to disparage them?
“Is this what women do? Deliberately research a particular gentleman’s interest they’re of a mind to marry?” Damien asked.
“If she is intelligent, she does. But, unfortunately, not all of the gentler sex has the discipline to act rationally around a handsome face and an elegant physique,” Eloise said.
Edgeworth chuffed.
But acting rationally despite the attraction was precisely what Allison was doing.
“Any other suggestions?” Hunt asked.
Eloise descended to the floor before answering. And again, she turned her face into that prunish expression. “Listen to her. I mean, truly listen. Laugh at her jokes. Recite poetry that rhapsodizes the abundance of her beauty.” She smirked as she dusted off the book she’d chosen for herself and then crossed the room. “I can’t do everything for you, brother. Be creative. Have you considered treating her to a little romance?”
Laughing at her cleverness, she exited the room.
“Romance.” Hunt shook his head. “Either of you sods have any brilliant ideas?”
“Take her riding along the cliffs or hike down to the beach,” Damien offered.
“Alone. And then take her into the cave behind the lagoon.” Edgeworth wagged his eyebrows.
Both excellent ideas. “According to Meadowbrook, she’s not much of a horsewoman. I’ll take her walking first thing in the morning, and we can arrange for a riding lesson later this week.” If she showed any interest at all, perhaps by the end of the fortnight, he could introduce her to his favorite spots on the estate.
Edgeworth, meanwhile, was flipping through one of the books Eloise had blasted at him.
“In that case, I’d study up, my friend. The domestic sciences aren’t as elementary as one might imagine.”
“She’ll appreciate that you’ve gone to the trouble,” Damien added.
Hunt winced. And if that didn’t work, they could always discuss the weather.
