Monty had reached the bottom of the stairs but paused there as she walked toward him. He bowed in an exaggerated manner, then held his hand out to her, palm up. When she just stared, he said, “You’re supposed to offer your fingertips to be kissed.”
She tsked. “I’m aware of that, but you’re a houseguest. We can dispense with that amenity every time we cross paths here, and you know it.”
“Ah, but this is the first time I’m meeting the complete lady. Humor me—Lady Nestor.”
She burst out laughing. “I will not, and you’ll stop calling me that. You didn’t really want to kiss my gloves, anyway.” She raised her arm to wiggle her gloved fingers at him.
“I disagree,” he said, and snatched her hand to plant his lips on her knuckles. “I will take my kisses where I can get them.”
She snatched her hand back. “Don’t think you’ll get away with that again.”
“I can wait until you are . . . gloveless.”
Why the pause? It was such an innocuous word, and yet he somehow made it seem naughty. Or was it the sensual expression in his eyes? She still felt her breath catch, feeling a distinct rise in temperature, and she couldn’t even remember why she’d approached—Oh!
“How do you feel about dancing?” she blurted out, still a little breathless.
“An excuse to hold a pretty lady in my arms.”
“So you know how?”
“Of course,” he said indignantly.
“Then you wouldn’t mind teaching me?”
He grinned. “I’ll find us a secluded spot—”
She laughed before saying, “You won’t. We’ll need music, and my sisters have agreed to play their favorite instruments for us tonight after dinner.”
He sighed dramatically. “So we’ll have an audience? Not quite what I’d hoped for.”
“Then you’re declining?”
“Absolutely not!” he assured her. “Did I not just say any excuse?”
“Everything you say just proves you are incorrigible,” she rejoined. “I could have sworn you said you would behave once I donned the persona of lady.”
“Did I fail to mention ‘in public’?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, you neglected to include that stipulation.”
“But my rakishness amuses you, sweetheart,” he teased. “Admit it.”
“A lady would never admit that. But I do cordially invite you to tea with my sisters and me.”
“Gads, you’re going to drown me in proper, aren’t you?” he complained. “Cordially? Really? How about a pact instead, that when we speak alone, we be ourselves?”
That finally made her blush because she had a feeling he was no longer teasing. So she said pointedly, “I bloody well need the practice in proper ladylike speech and behavior, and you are the perfect foil to wield my lessons against.”
“Much better! By the by, navy blue is taboo for you. Your mother didn’t tell you that pastels and more pastels and still more pastels are all you get to wear until you marry?”
“I believe you know I’ve been away with my father for a number of years, but I’m well aware of the silly restrictions placed on the wardrobes of young ladies. Riding habits are the exception—in case you didn’t know.”
He grinned. “And how magnificent you look in that one. I just enjoy watching you get all defensive. You’re so adorable when you do.”
So the teasing hadn’t ended, after all. She snorted before stating, “Tea. Come or don’t come.” And she moved into the parlor without waiting to see if he would.
“Will the dragon be joining us?”
