She wrinkled her nose at him. “My hair isred.”
“Red so happens to be my favorite color.”
“I havefreckles.”
“Gifts from a life lived in the sun.”
“My mouth is too small, like a bird.”
“Your mouth is perfect.”
She glanced downward. “I’m flat-chested.”
“Nowthatjust isn’t true.” He entered the gazebo, approaching her as a he might a feral animal. With respect, wonder, and a healthy dose of caution. “Who told you all of these things?”
“Different people.”
“Different men?” A muscle ticked in his jaw when she gave a small nod. “Tell me their names and I’ll shoot them for you. I brought my Kentucky Long Rifle.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s not important.” She crossed her arms. “Mypointwas that every potential suitor my mother has tried to match me up with has gone running. Now there’s no one left, and she’s gotten desperate enough to go searching for my mythical future husband across the pond.”
He scratched his chin. “Why do I have a feeling some of them ran off because you insulted them?”
“It’s not my fault no one appreciates a woman who speaks her mind.”
“There can be a fine line between speaking one’s mind and disparaging them.”
“I did try. Idid,” she exclaimed at his skeptical glance. “For the first half dozen, I was on my best behavior. But even my best wasn’t good enough. Even being the daughter of a duke wasn’t good enough. I always said something too political. Or I accidentally stomped on their foot during a minuet. Or I spilled lemonade on their beloved grandmother’s cat.”
“That last one is oddly specific.”
Olivia sighed. “Both of my sisters have made excellent matches. I would have hoped my parents would be content with that, but it seems they won’t be happy until all three of us are married off.”
“Or they won’t be happy untilyou’rehappy.”
“I am happy,” she said defensively.
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
“Then prove it.” He reached out and traced his thumb along the delicate line of her jaw, then cupped her cheek. “If love, romance, and marriage genuinely hold no appeal for you, then don’t kiss me back.”
Her eyes darkened. “Who said I want you to kiss me at all?”
He lowered his head until his lips were a hair’s breadth above her own. “Tell me to stop,” he whispered huskily. “Tell me I’mterrible, and you want nothing to do with me, and I’ll stop right now and never bother you again. Tell me, Olivia.”
“I…” Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “I can’t.”
On a soft groan, Hoyt pressed his lips to hers.
