Page 19 of Every Rake Has A Silver Lining

She jerked her chin at him. “No. But my sister-in-law is. She says such things are silly superstitions.”

Those dark-blue eyes widened. “The marquess’s wife is a physician?”

“No. My other sister-in-law. In America.”

He snorted a laugh. “Leave it to Americans to blaze the trail. You must tell me about her. But first . . .” He held the coat out, shaking it a little. “It’s mine, so it will probably be too big. But it’s warm. When I enquired about a pelisse, your maid admitted she didn’t bring one.”

With her back to him, she slipped her arms through the sleeves.

Heat pressed into her shoulders as he smoothed the material over her. He turned her around, buttoned it, then stood back and assessed her. “There.” Fingering the lapels, he ran his large hands down the length, their backs brushing lightly against her breasts as he skimmed the surface of the coat.

Instinctively, she stepped back. “We are not married yet, so I would kindly ask you to keep your hands to yourself.”

Those large hands lifted in a defensive stance. “Forgive me. I meant no offense. Now, tell me why you were laughing. I need something to cheer me.”

Unbidden, she chortled again. No doubt her musings would do little to lift his spirits. “The daffodils remind me of you.”

His brow furrowed as he jerked back, his head tilting at a rather roguish angle. “And that’s . . . funny?”

An unexpected moment of compassion flitted through her. The man had been ill, and quite frankly, he didn’t appear much improved. “They’re cheerful.”

The familiar grin stretched across his lips, and her gaze immediately homed in on them.

Gah!

“Why—thank you. Although I still don’t see the humor, it’s possibly the first compliment I’ve ever received from you.” He leaned in but didn’t touch her. “The first of many, I hope.” The rake had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows and wink.

“It was a moment of weakness. I promise to be stronger in the future.” She fought the smile tugging her lips.

She only hoped she could.

Simon recognizedthe tiniest chink in Charlotte’s armor, but he decided to play along and let her think she’d won. It was merely one battle, and he would win the war. “Ah, so it was a derisive laugh at your rare moment of weakness.”

“Should you even be out of bed?”

Another chink?

“Are you concerned for my health?”

“Only that I don’t want you to expire before you marry me and secure my reputation and financial situation.”

“Cold, my lady, cold. It would seem I wasn’t quick enough with my coat. But since you asked, the footman had just finished shaving me, and I happened to look out my window and noticed you without a coat.”

Her gaze raked over him, assessing.

“You needed a shave. I’m surprised you trust a footman to perform a valet’s job.”

“I would have done it myself. I know how. Had to do it in the military. But my hands are still a little shaky. And as you said, I don’t want to leave you before we’ve had a chance to really get to know each other.”

“You are?—”

“Incorrigible. So you’ve said. On multiple occasions. Perhaps a new adjective? Dashing? Charming?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Irresistible?”

“Hmph.”

When her lips twitched, he pressed on.

“In truth, after an actual bath and fresh clothing, I feel almost like a new man.” He stepped closer, even though it would goad her. “Care to take a sniff? I would love your opinion, since you found me so foul-smelling before.”

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