Page 52 of Sweet Siren
"Aporpoise."
"I'msorry..."
He gave a laugh. "You have not been—I take it—to the BrightonAquarium?"
She shook her head. She passed the Brighton Aquarium each day on her way to and from the sites. Developed as amusement for those who came to Brighton to take the sea-bathing cures and simply to enjoy the air, the aquarium showed sea turtles, giant prawns and multitudes of fish of the Atlantic. At night, concerts were given on the promenade. Singers from so-called London 'opera houses' sang popular ditties. Bands played. People chimed in and enjoyed themselves. "I haven't thetime."
"Today, you do. Today, you will." He sat silent as the waiter popped the cork on the champagne. "We'll see this porpoise a local fisherman caught and donated. And as we walk I want to hear you tell me about the local draper you'vechosen."
"The draper. Hmmm." Surely, he was toying with her. "But I'm most certain I had written you abouthim."
"Tell me again. Iforget."
"That, I sincerely doubt," she said with a toss of herhead.
He picked up his goblet. "To mydecorator."
She raised her crystal and tipped it toward him. "To myemployer."
"So tell me about the draper." After a healthy drink, he put his glass down and locked his gaze onhers.
She took another sip and licked her lips, amused by the challenge. "His family has been in business here since before Prinny ordered curtains from his father to hang in his bathroom in thePavilion."
"Prinny's bathroom. I see. The man hadone?"
"He did. Needed it for his gout. A walk-intub."
"Ah-hah. Wonderful. So the draper's ancestry shows him to be qualified to handle silk from Lyon andNanking?"
"Itdoes."
"Sound credentials." He took a sip, then waggled a finger at her champagne. "Keep up with me. The waiter won't come unless both our glasses needrefilling."
"You're quite sure I likechampagne?"
He faced her squarely. "Iam."
"How?"
He smiled as he drank. "I know a lot aboutyou."
She froze. "You've asked aboutme?"
"No. I'm observant, Lady Savage. I've watched you at weddings and dinners and everywhere in my daughter's house. For three weeks, to be precise. You love champagne. Drinkup."
She'd been so lonely without his company and she was so charmed by his appearance to sweep her away to buy her luncheon that she couldn't argue with him. Or refuse him. "I could getdrunk."
"Since you rarely have more than two glasses, my answer is that youdon't."
"I must watch you moreclosely."
His face fell. His gaze caressed her own. "Pleasedo."
Like his invitation to her to kiss him again, this flustered her. She’d never had a beau who attempted to seduce her and so the thrill of Killian’s attention left her as bubbly as the champagne. She searched for witty words. And couldn't find any. "What else have youobserved?"
"That up on the cliff you were so happy to come with me, you nearlyforgot your hat and your reticule. And now, you've not noticed that I hold yourhand."
She sat bolt upright and slid her hand from underhis.
"No one noticed. You're safe, Liv," he assuredher.
She hadn’t been safe since the first day she laid eyes on him. "Shall we visit theporpoise?"
He studied her, inhaled, then glanced away, searching for and hailing the waiter. "Ofcourse."
