The corner ofhis mouth kicked up again. “You may.” Someone called his name fromthe field. “I must go,” he said.
“Ofcourse.”
“Until this evening, Seraphina.” Again he caressed hername.
Unable to speak,she nodded.
With anotherenigmatic smile, he turned and rejoined the field.
She watched himgo, her heart racing. His shirt still highlighted the lines of hisback, and her mouth dried as he performed a stretch that pushed thelong muscles against the cloth—
Hastily, sheturned and made her way back to her carriage. The less she thoughton a rumpled and dishevelled Lord Stephen, the better.
Chapter Eight
SERA RESISTED THE URGE to take her watch from herpocket and check it again. It was only two after the hour. LordStephen was not late enough as yet to warrant annoyance. At least,that was what she told herself. She was, in fact, annoyed.Vastly.
The street wasbustling with afternoon traffic, and the tea shop was quicklyfilling up. She’d had Delphine reserve a table, and even now hermaid sat at that table to ensure none would presume to think itavailable, a scowl and a torrent of angry French scaring away thosewho dared approach.
Her watch burneda hole in her pocket. They had attended the Canton-Smythe musicaletwo evenings previous, as per her plan. He’d been amiable andattentive, and any who observed would be hard pressed to assumeanything other than the beginnings of a courtship between them.She’d even spied the Duke of Sutton spying onthem, hismouth tight with annoyance. Pleased, she’d turned her cheek andpretended not to notice his ire, laughing and touching LordStephen’s arm to dig salt into the duke’s wounds.
Stephen nowfinally strode toward her, and she cast a critical eye. Hisclothing was better fitting and more fashionable than the garb hewore to the ball and the musicale, as if the more formal attire wasless often employed and thus not as often replaced. Buckskinbreeches outlined his powerful thighs more ably than those he’dworn to the ball, the material clinging lovingly to every muscle. Asable-brown coat stretched over his broad shoulders, and now sheknew the shape of the arms beneath, it seemed obvious to her thestrength in his lean frame. The tall hat concealed most of hisblond hair, though pomade slicked the strands curled around hisears. He moved with confidence, light on his feet, and she couldsee the influence of the hours he spent on a football field in hisevery step.
“Lady Seraphina.” He halted before her, bowingsharply.
She was going torespond in kind but instead what came out was, “You’relate.”
The corner ofhis mouth tipped up. “My apologies, I know that disturbs yourschedule. We won’t have the full half-hour for ices.”
“No,we won’t.” She arched her brow. “See that it doesn’t happenagain.”
Still wearingthat slight smile, he nodded solemnly as he held out his arm.“Shall we?”
Wrapping herfingers around his forearm, she allowed him to escort her intoLiddle’s Tea Shop.
Delphine didindeed sit at the table, baring her teeth at a gentleman whoattempted to take the table. “Thank you, Delphine,” Sera said.Turning an acid smile on the gentleman, she asked, “Did you wishsomething, sir?”
He balked. “No.I am sorry. I—” Hastily, he removed himself.
Stephen watchedhim leave. “Impressive,” he said softly.
She ignored thethrill his approval gave her. “Delphine,” she said to her maid.“You may order yourself an ice.”
“Merci, my lady. I have long desired thetangerine.”
Sera kept herexpression mildly pleased. Tangerine. Ugh. “You may go,Delphine.”
Shooting afierce glare at Stephen, she made her way to thecounter.
“Whydid she glare at me?” he asked.
Taking her seat,Sera replied, “She is protective.”
Amusementtwisted his lips. “From what I’ve seen, you need littleprotection,” he said as he also took his seat. After summoning awaiter and placing their order, he said, “What shall we talkabout?”
She blinked. “Ibeg your pardon?”
“Weare to sit here for the next—” He consulted his pocket watch.“Eighteen minutes. What shall we discuss?”
