Page 9 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
She nodded, slowly, understanding somewhat. “All the better reason to shift our attention back to where it belongs, don’t you agree?”
“I do, and I well remember we have a salon tomorrow. Perhaps we should bring up some of these very points. And after an excessive display like tonight, I’m of a mind to share with others less fortunate. How long has it been since we’ve offered food in South London?”
“Too long, I believe.”
“Of course, last time you were almost accosted.”
“But you came to the rescue.”
“We shall have to come to some other arrangement.”
“Can I not disguise myself?”
“You? And in what way do you think you could hide your beauty from a single soul?” He shook his head. “There is nothing for it. You shall have to watch from the carriage.”
“I am certainlynotwatching from the carriage. Why even go, if I cannot assist?” And this banter, this familiar arguing with his adorably adamant soul felt more like home than anything else. Could things slip back to normal between them?
“You will watch from the carriage or dress like a man.” He considered her. “And I don’t even think that would help. Might make things worse.”
She snorted. “Worse.”
“Certainly, you don’t think walking around in a pair of breeches is going to complicate things?” He turned a bit pink in the face. “Forgive me. I cannot even discuss such a thing without being wholly and inappropriately distracted.” He stretched his neck against his cravat and held her at a greater distance.
She eyed him with pleased amusement. “I had no idea such a thing could be distracting.”
“You are oblivious to many things.”
She was about to be affronted, but the good humor in his face could not be denied and so she let it pass. “Then I’m happy to have you here to set me straight.”
“Just so, but I don’t believe your overly innocent face for one moment. You have no intention of listening to a thing I say no matter how right I am in my thinking.”
“You never know. I could surprise you and pay a great deal of heed to everything you say.”
“I don’t know what I would do should such a day come.”
“Likely faint.”
He stood taller. “I would not faint.”
“Fine. Perhaps you’d merely get a bout of the dizzy spells.”
“Do you think so little of my manhood?”
“I think very highly of your manhood. It’s what gets us into Whites and Boodles and at Jacksons and the races.”
“Us. Us she says.”
“Well, certainly. You go, and return and tell me all about it. How else are we to know which subjects to address to the mindless ton?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever know another way.”
“There, see. We are the perfect team.” She tapped his nose, releasing him a moment in their dance. “Do you really think you’ll ever find a better match?”
His gaze shot to hers.
“I mean, you know what I mean. Goodness, Lord Lockhart, all this talk of proposals has really flustered us, hasn’t it?”
But his face turned serious, and he danced for many measures with a new intensity she didn’t know how to counter, nor did she know if she wanted to. Thoughts of him considering honoring commitments to another were secretly warring with her peace.
