“Arrogant to extremes.”
“I am simply precise.”
He stood and poured himself a brandy, the liquid catching in the firelight as it sloshed into the glass. “Would you care for a glass?”
“Ladies don’t drink brandy.”
“Ladies don’t kiss their employers in gardens either.”
“Then it is a good thing that I am not a lady.”
“You are to me.”
The quiet sincerity in his tone made her blush. “Pray, do not indulge in such smooth compliments. It quite puts me ill at ease.”
“Would you prefer I go back to being a complete wretch.”
“It’s more familiar.”
“Very well then.”
“Your present style, I must confess, is exceedingly unbecoming.”
“I thank you kindly.”
“Your dress is the color of despair.”
“I am fully aware.”
“And you kiss like…” He stopped, jaw tightening.
“Like…?”
“Like redemption tastes.”
“That’s not horrible at all.”
“I am becoming hopelessly inept at being disagreeable to your person.”
“Has that not always been just so?”
“Not entirely, not since the moment you chanced upon me lacking proper attire and did not make a hasty retreat in horror at my person laid bare to you.”
“I have need of my employment.”
“Merely the employment?”
“The employment…and other particular benefits.”
“Such as?”
“It’s as specific as I can be without abandoning my composure.”
He came back to her chair, this time lowering himself onto the ottoman at her feet. His knees brushed her skirts, and theheat of her body radiated through the inches between them. “Tell me something true.”
“Everything I say is true.”
“Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.”
