She allowed him to take her hand. He was quite convincing, despite his behavior in the stables.
When he turned her hand over and pressed a kiss on her palm, endless quivers of sensation raced along her nerve endings. She snatched her hand back. “That is not within the bounds of friendship!” An English gentleman would never behave so…
He held a finger to his lips, his dark lashes hiding his expression. She was sure his eyes were dancing. He was so outrageous she tamped down an urge to laugh. She must not give him an inch, he was likely to take a lot more.
“Forgive me,” he said, a smile in his voice. “It won’t happen again. Unless you wish it.”
“Rest assured, I shall not. Let us talk of something else.”
Mary came in and bobbed. “Shall you require more hot water, Miss Hetty?”
“No thank you, Mary.”
“So, you’re called Hetty?”
“Yes. Although my father prefers Horatia.”
“Mm. I shall you call you Hetty.”
She sighed and shook her head. It wouldn’t do the slightest bit of good to argue with him.
“I have discovered an excellent library at the hall. I imagine you have availed yourself of it? You’re welcome to continue. There are some excellent volumes of poetry.”
“That won’t be possible now. As you must know.”
“Come dressed as Simon. I shall enjoy it to no end.”
She glanced across at her father. It was lucky he was slightly hard of hearing. “You are impossible!”
His gaze roamed over her. “But I must confess, I do prefer you in that rouge-colored gown.”
She gathered the folds in her fingers. “This hue is called rose-pink.”
He laughed and shrugged in that Gallic way he had, which was so charming. “Rouge, rose-pink, chestnut?”
“They are all different.” Her tone censorious, she resisted the urge to pat her hair.
“Well, the color suits you.”
“You are a compulsive flirt, my lord.” She shook her head but couldn’t prevent a small smile hovering on her lips. “Weren’t we to speak of other things? How is my godfather today?”
Guy shrugged. “He has taken to his bed.”
“Poor Eustace. He suffers terribly from gout.”
“So I believe.” He fell silent.
“I’m sure he will rally soon and become better company.”
“I do hope so. There is much for us to discuss.”
“I daresay. Years to catch up on.”
“I have tried, but he shows little interest in the family.”
“Oh? Because he is unwell, I suppose.” This surprised her, for wasn’t it Eustace’s wish to confirm Guy’s right to claim the barony?
He looked doubtful. “Perhaps.”
