“Never,” he said with absolute sincerity.“I only hoped to hear your opinion on the parade of coxcombs ahead.Do you prefer lavender jackets or the puce monstrosity Lord Kerrigan wore last night?”
“I prefer not to discuss Lord Kerrigan’s monstrosity with you.”
Nicholas clicked his tongue softly.“Now that’s uncharitable.I was offering you a rare chance to eviscerate Society’s worst offenders.”
Her lips twitched…barely.But enough.
He leaned back slightly, giving her space.“In truth, I asked only because I value your judgment.”
She lifted her chin.“You’re mocking me.”
“Only a little.And never when it matters.I wonder at the last time you had a good laugh.”
Her brow knitted, but she said nothing.
They rode in silence for a bit longer, the noise of the park filtering around them…the clip of hooves, the trill of laughter, the call of a flower vendor hawking daisies near the corner.
Then Nicholas tried another angle.A more serious subject.Something he wascertainwould pique her interest.
“I read something curious in the papers yesterday,” he said casually.“The East India Company’s latest trade bill.There’s been debate in the Lords about restricting new holdings in the South Pacific.”
Still no response.But she was listening.He could see the way her fingers had stilled, her head tilted by a fraction.
“Of course,” he continued, as if he hadn’t noticed, “there’s the argument that limiting expansion protects native interests.Others argue it hampers national progress.I can’t decide which argument I find more disingenuous.”
A long pause.
Then she cleared her throat.“It’s not about native interests.Not truly.It’s about optics.Appearing benevolent.”
He smiled slowly.“Indeed?”
She turned to him fully now, eyes sharp.“The Company never hesitates when it comes to seizing control of foreign assets, nor do the Crown’s ministers.But the moment there’s criticism abroad, suddenly it becomes a matter of ethics.It’s hypocrisy.”
Nicholas let out a quiet breath of satisfaction.“And here I was afraid you’d remain silent the entire ride.”
Her head snapped to face forward again.“Ishouldremain silent.You’ve manipulated the situation.You do not care about my opinion.”
“On the contrary, yes, I do.Not to mention that I invited you for a pleasant turn in the park.”
“After conspiring with my father.”
“Who cornered me as thoroughly as he did you.”
“Hardly.”She rolled her eyes.
Nicholas gave her a sidelong glance.“You think I enjoy being summoned by dukes like an errand boy?”
She snorted—actually snorted—and he considered that a victory of the highest order.
“Don’t misunderstand,” he added more softly.“I meant what I told him.I am interested.”
That caught her attention.She blinked once, eyes narrowing.“Interested.In marrying me?”
“In courting you,” he said, voice light.“One should never skip the middle steps.That’s where all the best bits are.”
“Courtship implies an eventual end.”
“Does it?”He smiled again, and this time it wasn’t teasing.“Then I suppose I’d best make the middle last.And the last, perhaps the middle?”
