Thankfully, he seemed more focused on my rejection. “Besides being old, he had flour all over his face. What made him a more attractive option?” His tone was light, but he seemed genuinely curious. I had wounded his pride.
Good.
I gave a dismissive shrug. “The bicorn hat didn’t suit you. I couldn’t forget it.”
He shook his head with a grin. “You said they’re attractive on officers.”
I eyed him carefully, searching my mind for anything Miles had mentioned about him. We hadn’t spoken of his family since our courtship before I married the baron. It had been four years since I had heard anything about Alexander’s life. He had finished at Oxford, and then…
My memory leaped in triumph.
He had been seeking a profession in the church. I eyed him. Why was that so surprising?
“You arenotan officer.”
He raised one eyebrow. “That is a bold assumption.”
“Well, I have no evidence that you wouldn’t lie to me.”
“All the evidence you need is in how dashing I look in a bicorn hat.” He leaned closer. “You are the one who lied about the required clothing for the parlor game. I should be doubting every word you say. It is you who cannot be trusted.”
I shot a glance at Miss Colborne and Mr. Hatcher. Did they know about the midnight games? Surely they would by the end of the day. Gossip was sure to spread in this house faster than butter on a hot piece of toast. “I simply don’t think you seem like the sort of man to be an officer,” I said. “Perhaps you would choose a profession in the church.” I never would have guessed it on my own.
He speared another grape, his brow pinching. “That was my plan, actually. But I changed my course.” His dark eyes met mine, matching the steaming cup of chocolate beside my plate. “I became a barrister. The law suited me more than a profession in the church.”
“That’s not surprising.” I pressed my lips together, shocked at my own words. I was not usually so outspoken.
He leaned one elbow on the table. “You have known me less than twenty-four hours, yet you seemed determined to think badly of me.”
I set down my fork with a look of surrender. “That isn’t true.Youare still offended that I didn’t choose you during the game.”
“I’m not offended.” He scoffed.
“But your pride is wounded.”
He didn’t deny it, shaking his head in vexation.
I took a bite of nectarine, storing it my cheek as a smile broke over my lips.
He studied my face for a long moment. I quickly swallowed, wiping a droplet of nectarine juice from the corner of my mouth with my serviette. What was he looking at?
“How old are you?” he asked suddenly.
I hesitated. “Why do you ask?”
He gave a nonchalant shrug. “I can’t imagine why you haven’t been married off by now.”
There were multiple widows in the party, so I was surprised he hadn’t made the connection yet. “I was married for a short time. He died.” The words came out blunt.
“I’m sorry.”
I nodded, shifting in my chair. Guilt wrapped around my heart as it always did. The fact that I had never truly mourned my husband made me feel like a wicked person, yet there was nothing I could do to feel anything but relief. His premature death hadn’t been deserved, but neither had his treatment of me. Awkwardness hung in the air, so I hurried to resolve Alexander’s previous question.
“I’m twenty-nine.”
He gave a slow nod. “One year my senior. But you already knew that. How did you know?”
“I guessed.”
