“Oh. Of course,” Lady Elkins said with prim indignation.
“To be honest,” Miss Russell said, “I loathe painting and embroidery.”
“What do you like then?” Mr. Cooper asked.
“Shooting and archery, along with reading and writing.”
Lady Elkins groaned.
“Mr. Cooper.” Lord Elkins grinned in an apologetic manner. “What Charlotte means to say is that she’s a skilled markswoman with a penchant for literature.”
“Ah.” Mr. Cooper nodded. “We’ve something in common then since I also enjoy shooting for sport. Which books do you favor?”
Miss Russell scowled with distinct displeasure, forcing Blayne to press his lips together in order to keep from laughing. It did seem as though Mr. Cooper was far more agreeable and better suited to her than she’d expected.
“There’s a new author,” Miss Russell said, her voice tight with defiance. “His name is Charles Cunningham.”
Lady Elkins gasped while Lord Elkins spoke his daughter’s name in warning.
Mr. Cooper ignored them both. “The novelist who writes outrageous adventure novels?”
“You’ve heard of him?” Miss Russell asked while Blayne raised his eyebrows in equal surprise. The books were fairly new. He’d not have thought they’d have made it across the Atlantic yet.
“An acquaintance of mine was in London last year. He picked up a copy of…The Earl’s…um…”
“The Earl’s Secret Escapades,” Miss Russell supplied.
“Yes. That’s the one,” Mr. Cooper said. “Strange book. Very little made sense.”
“Unfortunately, the author seems to pride himself on shocking people,” Lady Elkins said.
“Have you even read one of his books, Mama?” Miss Russell stared at her mother with abject displeasure.
“No, and I do not need to in order to know his books do not belong in respectable households.”
“I enjoy them,” Blayne said, deciding to defend his favorite author and Miss Russell’s shared appreciation for his work. “They’re marvelously entertaining.”
“But completely illogical,” Mr. Cooper argued. “I mean, the very idea of a man dangling from a roof by his fingertips for a full minute is utterly preposterous.”
“I’m guessing he had very strong fingers,” Blayne muttered.
The plates were removed and dessert brought in.
Mr. Cooper waited for the footmen to retreat to their positions by the wall before saying, “I prefer something more relatable – grounded in reality – not to mention less provocative.”
“Provocative?” Lord Elkins asked.
“The story is not designed to be realistic,” Miss Russell said with surprising passion for someone who simply enjoyed Mr. Cunningham’s style. She’d clearly turned this discussion into a crusade meant to push Mr. Cooper out of her life forever. “It is only meant to entertain.”
“The banter between the characters is hilarious,” Blayne said, deciding to offer additional support.
“I found it…silly, for lack of a better word,” Mr. Cooper said with a shrug.
“Silly?” Miss Russell squeaked.
Blayne spooned a piece of chocolate cake into his mouth. His appreciation for the American was now in swift decline. Judging from Miss Russell’s expression, she’d like to hit him over the head with something.
“I’d still like to know what you meant by provocative,” Lord Elkins said.
