Page 36 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
Strange, but so much wiser. But he couldn’t say it out loud. He nodded. “Of course. I would count it as an honor.” He grimaced. “No one calls me Barrett, however, save for my mother.”
“Barrett.”
It was another word entirely, coming from her. No ringing of demand or disapproval. She said it with . . . affection. With the smallest bit of what might even be termed . . . wonder. Now, perversely, heonlywanted her to call him that.
She bit her lip and frowned. He was caught. He couldn’t take his eyes from that plump lip, caught in the grip of her white teeth.
A sudden lurch of his left-hand horse and a cursing shout from a vegetable carter snapped his attention back where it belonged.
“Oh.” She slumped in her seat. Her thigh brushed his and he had to tell himself firmlynotto scoot closer to her. “I’m doing this all wrong, aren’t I? It’s just . . . I saw those ladies back there, all polished and polite and perfect, and I’m suddenly convinced I will never fit in with them.”
“You likely won’t,” he said bluntly.
He was instantly sorry, as she looked stricken and suddenly vulnerable. “Those women,” he waved a dismissive hand. “They are far from perfect. Worse are the young girls who will descend upon the Town for the Season. Most of them are vain and shallow—and you are worth a hundred of them.”
* * *
Penelope’s heartstuttered with unexpected happiness. How could mere words be both soothing and arousing at once?
“Perhaps I should practice my Society manners.” She faced fully forward again. “You can tell me when I go astray.” She cleared her throat. “How remiss of me. I have not yet admired your lovely set of matched bays.”
He seemed relieved with the lighter subject, and for the chance to retreat back into polite conversation.
“They are prime, are they not? I am fortunate that my uncle allows me to keep them in his stables.”
Her interest stirred. He didn’t often talk of his family. “I recall you mentioned your uncle and his wife, once. You are close with them, you said?”
“Very close.”
“He is so well known for his work in the natural sciences. I assume your interests started with him?”
“Yes. He started me young.” His grin was reflective—and appealing. “He is incredibly generous and has always supported me, in many ways.”
Lord Whiddon’s words came back to her again. “Your friend Lord Whiddon made you sound quite driven, and of course I’ve seen evidence of your dedication, myself. You must wish to make your uncle proud and earn your own success in the field.”
A moment of silence stretched out before he answered. “I do. Of course.”
“I quite understand the feeling. I feel as if I am always trying to prove myself to my parents.”
He glanced askance at her. “Forgive me, but I had the impression that your parents quite dote on you.”
“Oh, they love me.” She sighed. “They just do notseeme.” She looked away as they turned out of the park. “Never mind. I’m sure it’s not proper to speak of such troubles.”
“I’m dismayed to discover you have them.”
He sounded sincere. She wondered what he’d say if he discovered thathewas what troubled her most, lately.
“As you said, we are past formal niceties.” He gestured at the traffic that had only increased as they merged onto Piccadilly. “We’ve time, as we are stuck to this glacial pace. You might as well tell me.”
She pursed her lips, thinking. “Perhaps I will, but only if it is to be an even exchange. Like we had in the parlor, at that inn.” She felt warm at the memory, and at the recollection of everything they’d exchanged this morning.”
He hesitated.
And her resolution firmed. She wanted to know him. She wanted them to know each other, to have the chance to explore how compatible they really were. But he had to meet her halfway. “As you said then, it’s only fair.”
He hesitated again. He gazed ahead, clearly debating. “Perhaps we’d better not—” He glanced at her again.
With a shrug, she faced the road ahead.
