Page 81 of Tempting Her Viscount

“I have money. And as such I can buy security and a home of my own. And, yes, I have thought about children, but as you said, I’m still young.”

“You’re not that young.”

She threw a roll at him, hitting him right in the face. She let out a breath and slumped in her chair.

“The truth is I miss Kit a great deal, and I would have been content to stay with him indefinitely. If he’d not proposed marriage, all would have been quite well.”

“For you.”

“Yes,” she answered quietly, feeling like a petulant child.

“But you knew from the start what Kit wanted.”

“Yes. But he also knew what I wanted. Which brings me to why I’ve come down for breakfast this morning.” She folded her hands in her lap and straightened her shoulders. “I wonder if I could employ your help, not as a brother, but as a friend.”

His lip pulled up on the one side. “We’re friends now, CeCe? Does this mean you will no longer twist my ear if I unnerve you?”

“We shall see. It depends on whether or not you serve useful.”

“Very well.” He waved a hand. “Please allow me the opportunity to be your friend.”

“What do you find appealing in a lover?”

He choked and stared at her with bulging eyes. “Pardon?”

“I asked what it is that attracts you to a woman you take to your bed.”

“I’d like to retract my offer of friendship and go back to having my ear twisted, it would be less painful than this conversation.” He rubbed his temples.

Ignoring him, she proceeded with her interrogation. “What qualities does she need to exhibit?”

He chuckled. “She needs to be breathing and willing, sister.”

It was quite like Gray to say something shocking to unbalance her, but she didn’t show her surprise, instead she leaned closer and smiled. If he thought he could scare her away from this topic, he was quite wrong.

“Willing to do what exactly?”

“I think I may be ill,” Gray said as he did at many breakfasts, though this time for a different reason.