Page 31 of Nothing But a Rakehell
“That is fortune, indeed.”
“It truly is. There are very few constants in my life. My friends are the most important.”
“And your boots,” she teased.
“Exactly.”
She reached to caress Poppy once again. “I think they should be fine, now.” Dismounting, she led her down the short bank and across the pebbled edge to the river, so she could drink. “Do you count any women amongst your group of friends?”
He looked over the chestnut’s back and tilted his head. “Not until now.”
She ducked her head, struck again with conflicting reactions to him. Once Poppy had finished, she led her back up the bank and tethered her at a stand of larch trees. Keswick did the same, then sat on the raised bank.
She didn’t join him. She just walked along the pebbled strip of shore, picking her way carefully, thinking.
“Have I said something wrong?”
She shook her head.
He said nothing else, just leaned back, waiting. She was grateful. It took her several minutes and several passes back and forth to summon the courage to say what she wished.
“I would consider it an honor, to be counted among your friends.” She said it to the waters, rushing by in front of her. “But I’ve been thinking about that kiss.” She looked over her shoulder. “The one we didn’t have.”
“Oh.”
It was all he said. Shehadsurprised him.
“It’s just that it occurred to me . . . having refused it . . . that I might have refused my only real chance.”
He frowned. “Only chance? I don’t understand.”
She flushed, annoyed that he was going to make her spell it out. “My only chance at being kissed. Ever. In this lifetime.”
His eyes widened. “Don’t be absurd. We had this conversation, already.”
“It’s not absurd. You say I am considered marriageable, but I don’t have a tremendous dowry like Hope did. Her fortune came from our mother’s sister, who left her a great deal of money and instructions to see to my care. Even she didn’t think I would find a man who would take me.”
“Then she was a fool.” He gave a bitter laugh. “You’ll have plenty of chances to kiss better men than me.”
“Does that mean that you no longerwantto kiss me?”
He hesitated and her breath caught.
“It’s not that. It’s just that I think you should consider my opinion further. I have new eyes and an unbiased opinion. Not like the people who see you every day and see what they want or expect.”
“Oh.” Her heart fell. “Youdon’twant to kiss me.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Good.” She jumped on his response. “Because you couldn’t have been more wrong about Mr. Lycett. All he was interested in was talking incessantly about himself.”
“If you let him, then he’s probably more interested in you than ever,” he said wryly. “Give him a chance, he’ll work up to kissing you.”
“Well I’ve no wish to wait upon him. If I have one chance at this, I’d prefer to do it with someone I like.”
“Flatterer.”
“And I want someone who will do it properly.”
