“Only because you refuse to say what it is you have against me. You have avoided my company, and I am curious as to why. Have I done something to offend?”
“Besides sweeping into our lives like some great god from Olympus? But I suppose that is your habit and cannot be helped.”
“My goodness, Miss Alt, you are an absolute terror! Those are indeed harsh words. And you have just confirmed what I suspected. I have imposed on you. And yet it was you who only yesterday assured me that it was all well. ‘All’s well that ends well,’ you said, and so charmingly that I was forced to believe you.”
“You must suspect that my aunt had concerns initially. My cousin is making her debut this year, and your coming is a complication, yes. However, whatever concerns were raised seem to have been put to rest. Thus . . . all’s well and such.”
“Yes. Cassandra has proven delightful company. I believe she is not sorry for my presence, so it is just as you say.”
The sharp stab of jealousy was a physical thing, causing her to inhale sharply. So, he found Cassandra appealing.
That was good. It would make Cassandra so happy.
“But not with you,” he persisted. “You still have some concerns?”
“It is just that Aunt Iris . . .” What was she to say? Her aunt’s nervous nature had been soothed once the earl arrived. The house was now filled with excitement. Aunt Iris was happy, busy with her new duties, and Cassandra was floating about on a cloud.
“Ah. You are the champion of your fluttering aunt, then?”
“Aunt Iris,” she said with a glare, “is not a ‘fluttering’ anything. She is the sweetest, most wonderful, well-meaning person I’ve ever met.”
He considered her for a moment. “I’ve affronted your loyalty to your aunt. And you don’t hesitate the least to let me know it. I am impressed by your temerity. And you are not impressed by me at all. You are indeed a fascinating study.”
“If that is a compliment, I thank you,” she said with an air of indifference, but she felt heat flare in her cheeks.
“Why, I get the distinct impression that you do not approve of me.”
“It is not up to me to approve of you, my lord.”
“I find myself wondering if I should be insulted.”
“I think it would be quite impossible to insult you,” she observed.
“That is not true. I do have feelings, though you seem to think otherwise. And I am not impervious to others’ sensibilities. Though I do admit it was rather high-handed of me to impose myself on your aunt’s good nature, she is not worse for it.”
“You did not know it would end that way.”
“True. I had hoped it would not be an imposition, but I had to take that chance. I am in need, Miss Alt, of something from others, and a man like myself does not like to find himself in that state. I much prefer to fend for myself, and perhaps since I cannot do so in this circumstance, I might have been . . . presumptuous?” He lifted his brows appealingly, as if applying for her pardon.
She wished she could remain stern, but he was charming when he wanted to be. “You would naturally not have a liking for being forced to do what you do not wish.”
“Naturally. I am proud to a fault, I’ve been told.”
She chewed her inner cheek, giving him a long, thoughtful look. Even now, his presence did something to her, without any reason or cause. What if he saw, sensed something? Surely a worldly man such as he might guess that he was having a stimulating effect on her.
He spoke with a hint of scold in his tone. “And that is why I will not apologize, even if you are—as you obviously are—annoyed with me.”
“The inability to admit wrong is, as my father used to tell me, a malady of those who have been overindulged.”
His jaw grew tighter. She had finally broken his affability. “Folk wisdom. How charming.”
“When you are used to getting what you want,” she continued, “you don’t really care about other people’s feelings. I think that is a very unfortunate way to be.”
“I see I was correct. You do disapprove of me. No doubt you happen to have some handy advice for me. To help me to mend my ways, so to speak.”
“Indeed,” she said with a toss of her head, “I think you are making sport of me again.”
“You make it too enjoyable. Your mind is fascinating, and your wit is quick. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you.”