lengthened like a silent duel of wills. Her heart thudded in her chest, and while she was intensely aware of all things physical, she was more aware of an odd connection with this man, this stranger. A meeting of minds, perhaps. A recognition of a strength not unlike her own. It was at once frightening and the most exciting thing she’d ever experienced. Whatever else he was, Lord Berkley was no fool. What harm would it do to trade barbs with him? She had no intention of further involvement, but engaging him in a battle of wits would be most amusing.
“Indeed I will, my lord, if you accept my apology.” She offered him a contrite smile. “I fear my words might have been somewhat impolite.”
“Somewhat,” he said and offered his arm.
Cassie glanced at her brother. “Are you coming?”
“In a moment.” Christian’s voice was excessively cheery. “I wish to speak to Lord Pennington first about a matter of mutual interest, if he doesn’t mind. Do go on ahead.”
“What matter?” Pennington’s brows drew together.
Christian cast him a warning look, then nodded pointedly at his sister and Berkley. Pennington glanced from Christian to Berkley, and the confusion on his face cleared. “Oh. Yes, of course. A matter of mutual interest. Certainly. I can see where it would be.”
Berkley leaned closer to her, his voice low. “They’re both quite mad, you know.”
She laughed in spite of herself. “I have long suspected it of all my brothers.”
She took his arm, trying to ignore the hard muscles beneath the fine fabric of his coat and the unnerving way the heat of his skin could be felt even through the layers of material, and they started toward the tables.
“I must apologize for my brother as well as myself,” she said lightly. “He is not overly subtle, is he?”
Berkley laughed. “Not overly, no.”
She heaved a long-suffering sigh. “He thinks you’re an excellent match, and he and my other brothers want me to marry. They’re not especially concerned as to who I wed, only that I do so. They would prefer someone with an acceptable title and income, but I think their only true requirement in a husband for me is his ability to walk upright and speak rather than grunt, although even that is probably open to negotiation.”
“How nice to know I meet their minimal standards,” Berkley said wryly.
“That is yet to be determined.” She laughed and shook her head. “Oh dear, I should probably apologize to you yet again. I have an annoying tendency to speak my mind. To say exactly what I think. It has, on occasion, proven awkward and produced consequences that I did not foresee.”
“I can well imagine.”
“Nonetheless, it is my nature, and I see no need to change it.”
“Nor should you.”
“Do you really think so?” She glanced up at him.
“Indeed I do.”
“Most men of my acquaintance would advise me to hold my tongue or, at the very least, temper my words.”
“Ah, but you have not yet been acquainted with me.” Amusement colored his voice. “Although I would advise you to curb voicing your opinions about the behavior of most men or even infamous men. We are not all alike.”
“Still, I am rarely wrong.”
He laughed, and she realized how very pompous she sounded. Odd, she couldn’t recall ever sounding pompous before.
“I warn you, I am a firm believer in honesty as well.” She paused, a rather startling number of past incidents, most in tandem with her sister, parading through her mind. “Under most circumstances.”
“Honesty is an excellent quality.” He bit back a smile. “Under most circumstances.”
“Therefore I feel compelled to be truthful with you. I should not want you to escort me under false pretenses.”
“I am merely accompanying you to a meal,” he said mildly. “I’d scarce call this a declaration of intentions.”
“Of course not.” They reached the tables laden with an appetizing array of offerings, including an inciting display of
Elizabeth Amelia Barrington