She cast her gaze down, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Must her family be so obvious? For the past hour, they’d been touting Natalie’s accomplishments one after the other. She was sick of hearing about herself, and Somersworth surely had lost any interest he might have had.
Not that she was interested in him, either. Awful man…but still…
Her family was likely to frighten off a real suitor with this sort of behavior.
And didn’t her mother realize Somersworth wasn’t the sort of man who wished for a woman who could embroider? She didn’t have much experience with the world, but even she sensed that. He’d want a lady who might be troublesome with him.
She cocked her head to the side, knowing that she did not fit that score at all. But then again, if a woman ever wanted to give trouble a try, this might be just the man to help her.
“Dinner was wonderful,” Somersworth said as he leaned back in his chair. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” her mother said, rising. “The night is not so cold tonight. Perhaps you’d like a walk along the lawn to help you digest.”
Natalie blinked several times. It was near freezing outside and she knew very well that her mother meant for her to lead Somersworth on that walk. Wide windows would keep them in view of her mother and uncle, but still, they’d not be able to hear a word that passed between her and the earl.
“A walk sounds perfect,” Somersworth said, then gave her another grin, looking like the cat who’d gotten the milk.
Her shoulders straightened as she rose. “I’ll get my pelisse. My lord, should I fetch your coat as well?”
“Yes please,” he said, truly sounding pleased.
Had her mother and uncle not frightened him away? Doing so herself was not a task she was used to. But she knew without a doubt that he was not the man for her.
Certainly, he was handsome. And interesting. And he was just bad enough that he might make a fine friend to help her explore all the things she’d always wished to, but she’d not marry this man.
At her core, Natalie was too…well behaved for him. He’d turn her into minced pie. She was too docile, and she suspected that he was too wild.
Pelisse on, she took his arm, a strange energy moving through her as they walked toward the doors and stepped outside. The night air was cold, but they were blocked from the wind, tucked against the house, and the moon lit the night.
She drew in a deep breath as she tried to decide what to ask Lord Somersworth, how she proceeded. How did one frighten away a man who lived on the edge of danger?
But she didn’t have the chance. “You are truly lovely,” he murmured close to her ear. “I suspected as much yesterday when we met, but in the dress you’re wearing this evening…”
His eyes moved down her, as though he remembered her gown that was now covered by her pelisse. Which confirmed several of her suspicions. A gentleman would not discuss her attire or her figure in such a manner. “And you are as devilish as I suspected.”
He flashed her a playful grin, the sort that might melt a woman’s insides. “So you’re not the mouse you played at dinner tonight.”
Mouse? How insulting. And possibly true. “I suspect I am the mouse actually, but I’ve also been cornered by the cat.”
He laughed. “So true.” And then, with a quick glance back through the windows, he reached up his free hand and brushed a softly blowing lock of her hair back from her face. She stilled at his touch, mesmerized by the gentle brush of his fingers. She knew she didn’t want this man, but hands like that might just make a lady forget… “But shall I confess to you that my intentions are honorable?”
“I don’t—” She didn’t believe a word, but how to say that without insulting him?
“I assure you, my lady. They are.”
Honorable? Him? “All outward appearances would suggest otherwise.”
He laughed again. “Most women would disagree. Swarms of them would twist themselves into knots to be out here with me.”
“Shall I invite them?” she asked, wondering when she’d become so bold. It wasn’t her nature at all, but then again, he didn’t seem angered in the least. On the contrary, he enjoyed every prickly word she was saying and that was somehow freeing.
He laughed again. “Please don’t. It grows tiresome.”
“How difficult for you. Women turning themselves inside out to spend time with you.” He was smiling in such a way that he didn’t appear to mind her barbs at all. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying them. Something in her rose, filled her with a buoyancy she’d never experienced before.
“Not with me. With an earl. It’s different.”
That was likely true and a sentiment she could understand. Too often she was told how lovely a personality she had when she’d not even said a word. Those people didn’t like her, but the absence of her. “I see.”
“Do you?”
She didn’t answer, because this was not a man to share her secrets with. So instead, she looked up into the sky, the crescent moon glowing bright as she let out a breath that filled the air with a cloud of vapor. “You can rest assured, my lord, that I do not wish to spend time with you just because you are an earl.”
“Do you wish to spend time with me at all?”
Her jaw hardened, she gave her head a soft shake. “Forgive me, but no. I don’t think it’s wise.”
“Why?”
“I already told you. Because I am a little mouse, and you are a dangerous cat.”
He laughed again. “I see. Well, if I may, I’d like to prove that I am a cat without claws. Would you give me that chance at least?”
She drew in a shuddering breath. It was a bad idea. “No. I don’t think so.”
He turned toward her, his brow drawn together as he assessed her. “Why not?”
Her tongue darted out to lick her cold lips while she considered her answer. But the moment it began moving over her upper lip, she felt the intensity of his stare, and she quickly pulled her tongue back into her mouth. “Because.”
“Why?”
What did she say? I can already tell you’re more man than I could ever handle? That would only encourage him to use his strength to force her into the position of his choosing. Thinking quickly, she attempted to say something that might put him off completely. “Your drinking, for one. I don’t like it.”
She heard him rumble. She had every right to say the words. He’d ruined her favorite dress.
“You don’t like my drinking.”
She’d seen him tonight, at dinner. He’d had several glasses of wine, then port, a whiskey before the meal had even begun. And suddenly she knew exactly how to rid herself of this man. “I’ll make a bargain with you. A wager, if you will.”
“A wager?”
“Yes. You don’t drink for an entire week, and I’ll reconsider.”
“A week of not drinking and then you’ll reconsider spending time with me?”
“That’s right,” she answered, knowing full well that she’d never see the earl again.
But he cocked his head to the side. “I’ll need something more concrete than that. If I go a full week without drinking, then you will allow me to court you.”