He glanced at the maid who had entered with her. She didn’t make eye contact before going to the other end of the room and taking a seat.
“It is customary, isn’t it?” Matthew asked. “When a gentleman meets a lady in whom he’s interested, he visits her at her home.”
“He asks the lady ahead of time. You should have asked me at the Fenwicks’ party, and I would have told you a resounding no.”
“Would you?” Matthew felt puzzled. “But we got along so well.”
At her surprised visage, he asked, “Didn’t we have a pleasant dinner and enjoy the entertainment after?” A smile spread across his face.
“Stop grinning,” she snapped. Then she dropped her voice so her maid couldn’t hear. “You have taken liberties each time I have been in your company.”
“Didn’t you enjoy my kiss? You seemed to like each one.”
He watched her gorgeous blue eyes open wide before she closed them and shook her head. Clearly, he had infuriated her. When her eyes popped open, she took a step closer.
“That is not the point. You are not behaving like a true gentleman.”
“I am trying. However, I’m glad I didn’t ask permission to come visiting now that I know you would have forbidden me to do so.”
“If I had forbidden your visit, you still could have had a footman drop off your card.”
“For what reason?” Matthew had not actually visited a lady’s home with the specific task of courting since he had never before been ready to take a wife. When he occasionally visited one of his friend’s houses instead of seeing them at the club, he sometimes didn’t even present a card. Their butlers knew him.
“You have your man-servant drop off your card so that I mayignoreit,” Lady Purity explained, “which would indicate even more clearly that I am not interested. At the most, I would send you a missive telling you not to try to visit me again.”
“I see.”Could she really not wish to see him after they’d practically combusted in one another’s arms?There was only one reason she would turn down such pleasurable sensations.
“Are you already attached to another man?”
She pursed her lips. “That is an impertinent question. When you visit, you speak of the weather and some common reference from popular culture, such as a book you’ve read. You most certainly do not ask personal questions.”
“Am I then visiting with you? For if I am, I should like to sit.”
She sighed. “Very well. Since you are here and seem to be like a wild creature.”
Matthew watched her take a seat before she gestured for him to take the one opposite. It struck him she was a particular young lady, perhaps even persnickety.
“You really were merely admiring the Marquess of Lansdowne’s art, weren’t you?”
“Indeed,” she said.
Matthew had not really thought it possible, thinking it certain she had an arranged rendezvous, which he’d interrupted before using it to his own advantage.
“I believe I have misunderstood your nature.”
“You have!” she declared. Then she narrowed her eyes. “How so?”
He cleared his throat, not about to tell her his view of her had changed from an adventurous rule-breaker to a stickling, prim Florence. That would only anger her. Regardless, he had an idea.
“It’s not important but due solely to my own ignorance. I understand you are fluent in all the social customs and niceties, which I clearly am not. And as I told you, I am ready to take a wife.”
“You shall not accomplish your task the way you are going about it.”
“Agreed,” he said. “Hence, will you help me?”
“Help you?”
“Yes. For instance, I don’t even know how long this visit should last. Do I spend the day with you? Will you offer me tea now and later invite me to take lunch with you?”
