“Eating is something I must insist upon doing every now and again during my stay, and besides that, it’ll be imperative that I have Luella sit down with a formal setting and teach her how to negotiate her way through a twelve-course meal.”
Owen frowned. “Do you often sit down to twelve-course meals, because you certainly don’t possess the type of figure one would expect a woman who eats that much to possess.”
“Do you always say whatever pops to mind?”
“Should I take that to mean I’ve just said something you disapprove of yet again?”
“Gentlemen should never remark on a lady’s figure.”
“Not even to compliment it, which I just did to yours if you missed that?”
“Telling me you’re surprised I’m not larger than I am is not what I would consider a compliment. And yes, I do sit down to twelve-course meals often, although ladies only sample the courses, never eat all of the food that’s set before them.”
“Duly noted, as was the fact you need a table and some dishes.”
“Along with silverware.”
“Because eating with your fingers is probably frowned upon?”
Camilla began rubbing her temple. “Do not tell me you make it a habit to eat with your fingers, or that your sister does that as well.”
He grinned. “We’re not barbarians, Miss Pierpont. In fact, we know the basics when it comes to table etiquette because my mother made certain of that. I just wanted to see how you’d react if I suggested we might not use silverware often.”
“Why would you want to see that?”
“Because you keep claiming you’re not prickly, and I seem to derive a great deal of satisfaction from proving you are.”
“Anyone would get prickly when faced with the idea that silverware is optional.”
“I’ve added silverware to the mental list of the additional necessities you’re going to need.”
“Wonderful, but know that if I think of additional items your country house needs, I can always take Luella with me to the shops. We could also begin looking at some furnishings for your home because decorating a home is something that all ladies of refinement are expected to know how to do.”
“Luella’s never lent me the impression she’s interested in decorating.”
“From what I’ve been able to gather, she hasn’t lent you much information at all over the past few years, but tell me this—you said Luella will be staying with me at the country house, but will you be staying there as well?”
“Since it would be impossible to provide you with that protection I promised if I were on Wheeling Island and you weren’t, I will, although I’ll have to travel to my factory on a daily basis, but I’ll be home before dark.” He smiled. “Luella, who again, is an expert with a pistol, will be in charge of keeping you safe, as will those men Edward hired.”
“You’ll have to tell me how much you’re paying those men so I can reimburse you for their wages.”
Owen stretched out his legs, earning a growl from El Cid, who’d been napping on his lap. After giving the cat a scratch, Owen shook his head. “I don’t think I have to do any such thing.”
“Why not?”
He took a second to consider the question before he caught Camilla’s eye. “Do you remember how offended you got after I told you that you reminded me of Goldie?”
“That would be difficult to forget, but I thought we’d agreed to never discuss Goldie again.”
“We did, and I won’t mention her again after this, but it seems relevant because you, Miss Pierpont, have just offended me quite like I offended you.”
“I don’t recall comparing you to my dog.”
Owen shot a glance at Gladys, who was snoozing on the floor beside Camilla. “I would hope not, since Gladys and I don’t resemble each other in the least.”
Her lips twitched ever so slightly. “I suppose she is rather fluffier than you, but I’m afraid I have no idea where this conversation is going.”
“It’s going in the offended direction because I’m rather put out that you would even think I’d consider taking money from you to keep you safe.”
