I joined them on the grass beside Owen, arranging my skirts over my feet. The grass was slightly damp from the rain the day before, and the sky was still grey, stirring dark clouds in the distance.
“Part two?” I asked with a raised brow.
Owen nodded, turning his attention back to my brothers. “I have more to teach you on the matter of how to treat a lady. Shall I begin?”
Peter and Charles both nodded, though I caught Peter glance longingly at the bow and arrow he had left behind.
“I shall first pose a question,” Owen said. “What do you suppose a lady likes more than anything in the world?”
Charles looked up, scratching his head. “Her brothers?”
Owen chuckled. “In the case of your sister, then I believe you are right.” He winked. “But your sister isn’t like most ladies in that regard. She differs from the young ladies of my acquaintance in many other ways as well.”
I gave him a puzzled look. If he was about to compare me to all these other ladies he knew, I would fall considerably short. “That is not entirely my fault,” I said, my voice too defensive. “There are very few women my age to spend time with in Silton, and I find most of them rather unbearable. I much prefer the company of my brothers.”
Owen laughed. “And there we have another way you differ from them. You speak your mind.”
I scowled. “Not always.”
“Oh? Then is there something on your mind now that you’re hiding from me?” The prodding tone in his voice made a blush creep up my cheeks.
“Hmm. It would seem so,” he said with a grin. “Charles, Peter, cover your ears for a moment.”
I narrowed my eyes, mortified by how obvious my blush must have been. Why could I not control it? “The only thing I’m thinking right now is how unbearableyouare.”
His eyes widened. “Well, good. I prefer that overatrocious.”
A laugh escaped me and I sat back in surrender. He was immune to my insults by now.
Owen turned his attention to my brothers again, resuming his tutorial tone. “The answer I was looking for, when I asked what a lady likes more than anything in the world, is . . . compliments.”
Peter’s brow furrowed. “What is a compliment?”
“To compliment someone is to flatter them with kind words. To tell them of something that you like about them, whether it be of their appearance, conduct, or accomplishments. There is no need to pay a compliment to every person who passes by. Give your compliments only when they are sincere, and only to those who you feel truly deserve them.”
Owen turned toward me. Nervousness fluttered in my stomach. Was this to be another demonstration? “Now, I know your sister doesn’t particularly like compliments,” he paused to shoot me a smile, “but she is certainly one who deserves them.” He waved my brothers over. “So, come here and practice your compliments. You may say something about her beauty, her kindness, or whatever it is you like about her.”
I watched with amusement as Charles trudged to his feet and stifled a giggle. There was no possible way that he could take this seriously. He stopped in front of me and flashed a gap-toothed smile. “Your eyes are green.” He glanced at Owen for approval.
Owen laughed and knelt beside Charles on the grass. He was facing me, his line of sight directly even with mine. He looked at Charles briefly. “Almost. But you must tell her more about her eyes. Tell her how beautiful they are, how they make the rest of the world disappear.” He moved his gaze to me again. “Tell her how fascinating it is that they can express so much without words, and how any man would have to be blind not to lose himself within them.”
I scolded my heart for how wildly it was jumping around in my chest.This is only another demonstration. Surely he is not serious.
Charles giggled again. “I don’t want to say that!”
Owen didn’t move his gaze from my face. “You don’t have to. That one was from me.”
How did one respond to that?Thank you? I certainly couldn’t let him assume that I welcomed his flirting—or that I believed a word of it. Surely he hadn’t meant it. He was teasing me. He enjoyed watching me blush and squirm with discomfort. From the first moment I had arrived at Kellaway Manor he had been playing the same game.
I clasped my hands together in my lap and pretended to be deeply interested in them. This was not a time to connect puzzle pieces in my mind—like how his expression looked just as genuine now as it had two nights ago in the drawing room.
Thankfully, Owen addressed Charles again. “Give it another try.”
I forced a smile to my face to hopefully diminish my blush. Charles looked up and chewed on his lip. After a few moments, his face lit up and he said quickly, “You are the kindest sister I ever met.”
My smile grew and I pinched his cheek. “Thank you, Charles.”
Owen gave his nod of approval. “Well done.” He waved a hand for Peter to stand.
