A frown puckered her brow. “As we’ve already established, you weren’t the only one who got the steps wrong that day. I made mistakes too.”
“Yes, butyoudidn’t crush my toes.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Perhaps it was time to address the past and put it to rest once and for all. “The truth is, I was anxious.”
“I gathered as much,” she said with a chuckle, “though I cannot imagine why. You were one of the most sought-after bachelors London had to offer.”
“A fact that did little to reduce the pressure of getting everything right. And then you came along.”
“Me?”
“I knew the moment I saw you that I was in trouble. My face got all hot and my hands started sweating. It honestly felt like I might be sick.”
“How flattering,” she muttered, looking slightly affronted.
“You made me so bloody nervous,” he added before he could change his mind.
Her lips parted. She shook her head as if baffled. “I don’t see how. Was it something I said or—”
“It was simply you.” He held her gaze while letting that statement sink in. “I’d never seen a lady more dazzling. You made me feel self-conscious for the first time in my life.”
“But…I am the furthest thing from what is considered classically pretty. My hair is red instead of fashionably blonde. I’m also unusually tall for a woman and—”
“You’re perfect, my lady. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I…” Her mouth opened and closed a few times but no additional words came.
Callum glanced at the maid. It bothered him that she’d overheard their exchange, but he also felt much lighter now that he’d told Lady Emily of the effect she’d had on him from the beginning. He’d never told anyone else. Papa had just thought he was horsing about and had scolded him for it later.
“Strawberry shortcake or trifle?” he asked.
“Sorry?”
“For dessert,” Callum clarified. “What’s your preference?”
“Oh…um…strawberry shortcake I suppose.” When she said nothing more, he nudged her foot. “Your turn.”
“Right. Of course. Um… Pall mall or billiards?”
“Pall mall, I should think.”
The smile that followed was one of surprise and wonder. “It would seem we have a great deal in common.”
His gaze caught hers. “Mind if I stretch out my legs?”
Something incredibly tempting flashed in those pretty eyes of hers. A flush rose to her cheeks and he wished with all his heart that it was because she was starting to want him as much as he wanted her.
“By all means,” she said, her manner so breezy it gave no hint of being the least bit affected by what he’d asked.
She turned to address her maid, bringing up something about some trim she wished to apply to one of her gowns. Her legs moved, allowing Callum the space he needed. He pushed his feet forward between Lady Emily’s feet and the wall of the carriage, and crossed his legs at the ankles.
The conversation about the trim ended and Lady Emily shifted back into position while moving her skirts as if trying to get more comfortable. The voluminous fabric fell over Callum’s feet, and then her ankles pressed against his.
A rush of desire heated his veins. His pulse quickened and his breath caught. Having crossed his arms, he dug his fingertips into his biceps while staring toward the spot where he and Lady Emily touched. Although he couldn’t see them, he knew her stocking-clad ankles rested against his boots.
His muscles tightened and he directed a hasty glance toward the maid, whose attention was now on the view. Had she not been here, Callum had little doubt that he would have dragged Lady Emily into his lap and kissed her senseless.
There was a reason why young ladies needed chaperones. To protect them from men with wicked intentions. And frankly, his intentions toward Lady Emily were becoming increasingly so. Oh, he could deny it as much as he wished, but that didn’t change the fact that he’d wondered about her on several occasions.
Apparently, the better he got to know her, the lustier his thoughts became.
