‘Worse,’ he assured her.
She hummed agreement. ‘I remember a time when you were imperious.’
‘Never with my staff, though I do remember one incident when I had to deal with an infuriating tomboy on an estancia deep in Spain.’
Her jaw dropped. ‘So you admit it?’
‘On that one occasion? Yes. You were a pest.’
‘And you were an imperious prince, taking up space in my stable.’
‘You never had a sense of what was good for you.’
‘Maybe because what’s good for me has never been uppermost in my mind.’
‘Does that bring us back to the article?’ Cesar suggested with a long sideways look.
She sighed. ‘That was a mistake. I should have known. I’m no good being at anything but what I am.’
‘Clearly,’ Cesar agreed. ‘Though there’s not much you’re afraid of, is there?’
Wrong. She was desperately afraid of losing her brothers’ trust, and her own self-belief, if she couldn’t clear her name. Losing Cesar’s regard would be yet another blow.
‘Let’s take that stroll in the garden,’ he said when they’d rinsed their hands and cleared their plates away.
This was a pivotal moment when her life could change for better or worse, but at least they were talking.
Inviting Sofia into the garden only proved that damping down his feelings where Signorina Acosta was concerned wasn’t as easy as he had supposed. He should refuse to have anything more to do with her, but like a wood nymph beckoning him ever deeper into the thicket of her life Sofia was irresistible.
When he’d suggested the walk, Sofia’s surprise had betrayed the fact that she hadn’t believed he’d want to spend time with her. When her gaze darkened and her cheeks flushed pink, he knew her answer would be yes. The electricity was sparking between them again. He’d worked out in the gym then showered and changed after leaving the banquet, with Sofia a constant in his mind.
And now, with her long hair still damp from the shower, and silky corkscrews of baby hair arranged like a filmy crown around her brow, she was beautiful. She’d washed off her make-up but not the smudge of chocolate on her neck. The urge to lick it off was overwhelming.
‘Snacking on treats in your bedroom?’ he guessed. In area, at least, she found temptation irresistible. All his guests were supplied with everything they might need, including ingredients for a midnight feast.
‘How do you know?’ she demanded, frowning.
‘Elementary, my dear Watson. You have chocolate on your neck.’
She relaxed enough to smile. ‘Aren’t you concerned that your guests might see you in the garden dressed like this, and wonder what you’re up to in the garden with me?’
‘My guests have everything they could possibly need, and I’m sure they’re quite capable of amusing themselves without my assistance.’
‘I’m sure they are,’ she agreed, ‘but—’
‘But what?’ he interrupted. ‘Don’t you trust yourself alone with me in the garden?’
She hummed and gave him a look.
‘You find me irresistible?’ he proposed.
‘Do I?’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep a tight rein on you.’
‘That might work,’ she agreed huskily, on what sounded like a dry throat.
‘As you so rightly say,’ he pointed out as they moved off, ‘we’re going to be together, so we might as well clear the air.’
