Page 5 of By Any Other Name

“Here. Drink this.” He handed her a cup and sat down on the footstool in front of her.

She took a sip. The liquid burned her tongue and tasted bitter. “This is awful.”

“It is rather,” he agreed amiably. “Well, it’s the first time I’ve made coffee.”

“Are you sure you did it correctly?” Rylla looked dubiously into the cup. “I don’t think it should have all those grains floating about.”

“You may be right.” He peered into his own cup, then took another sip. “It doesn’t taste like the coffee the housekeeper makes. Still, best drink it down like the man you are not. Maybe it will counter whatever you were drinking.”

“It was port. I can’t imagine why men like to ruin a good meal with that. And smoking cigars! Ugh.”

Gregory laughed. “You turned a bit green after you took a puff.”

He was quite close to her, his position on the stool making his face nearly level with hers. Rylla could see each line, each curve of his face. Looking at him made her feel edgy and restless . . . and daring.

His bright blue eyes were lined with brown lashes, darker than the color of his hair. His eyebrows were reddish-brown, as well, and they had a sharp downward slant at the ends that added to the hint of perpetual mischief in his expression. She could see the shadow of his beard, and somehow that sight made her abdomen tighten and twist. His lips were full and soft, his mouth wide. And she had the most startling desire to press her own lips against his. What, she wondered, would he taste like?

“I think it’s most unfair,” she said.

“What is?”

“No one thinks anything of it if a man goes about kissing anyone he wants.”

He let out a startled laugh but did not question her sudden change of topic. “I think some people might object.”

“You know what I mean. Everyone excuses men when they have affairs. They say, ‘Oh, he’s a man and everyone knows that men are given to lewd behavior.’ ”

“Is that what they say? Perhaps I have been behaving too circumspectly.”

She ignored his remark. “But if a woman wants to kiss a man, she is adjudged wanton. A hussy. Scorned by society.” She swept her arm out grandly. “Why should a man have pleasure and a woman only duty?”

“Why indeed?” His blue eyes danced. “Tell me, do you plan to kiss someone? I’d be happy to volunteer. Purely to right an injustice, of course.”

“You are an exceedingly foolish man.”

“You are an exceedingly tempting woman.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

Warmth flared inside her. Rylla knew her reaction was wrong. The way he looked at her should make her indignant, not strangely eager. There was none of the respect a gentleman should have for a lady. But what else was he to think, given the boldness of her words just now? No lady would have brought up such a topic. “I’m sorry. I should not have said that. I am not usually so improper.”

“Are you not? I confess, I’m disappointed.”

“Perhaps you are right. I may be somewhat inebriated. I have not behaved well. Indeed, I’ve been quite shocking.”

“I’m not easily shocked.”

“I think that says something more about you than it does about me,” she retorted. That brought another laugh out of him. The sound made her chest lighter.

“You wound me.” He laid his open palm against his chest.

“I doubt that very much.” Rylla picked at an invisible piece of lint on her trousers. “I can’t imagine why you’re being so nice.”

“Can’t you?” He studied her for a moment. “Who are you? For I am sure you are not Rolly.”

Rylla said nothing. She could not tell him. She had thoroughly compromised herself this evening, but as long as he did not know who she was, there could be no scandal.

“Why were you in Faraday’s this evening?” he went on when she did not answer.

“It was nothing to do with you.” Rylla stood up. “I must go.” She pulled on her jacket.