Caro’s eyes widened. “Book? Why haven’t I heard about the book?”
“Anna can tell you about it later.” Phoebe’s lips curled up into a smile. “It is very interesting, but this is not the time for it.”
“Very well.” Anna heaved a sigh. “I still think Mary should attempt to seduce Kit.”
“You know,” Caro said thoughtfully, “that is not a bad idea.”
Mary’s face was heating to the point that she knew she was bright red. “Sed . . .” Suddenly her mouth was dry. “Seduce him?”
“Only if you love him.” Phoebe let the words hang in the air for a few moments. “You did say you like him a great deal.”
“Well, I think—just think, mind you—that I may love him a little.” Mary desperately wanted one of her grandmother’s teas with brandy. “Do you truly think he likes me?”
“I believe he’s in love,” Phoebe said.
Anna nodded. “Or very close to it.”
“I agree.” Caro glanced toward the house. “Shall we join the gentlemen?”
Mary couldn’t very well protest when it was clear by the expressions on her friends’ faces they wanted to see their husbands.
If that was love, she wanted it, desperately. Still, if her friends were right and Kit loved her, that changed everything. Never let it be said a Tolliver allowed love to slip through her fingers. Now all she had to do was to figure out how to kiss him, or get him to kiss her. Then she’d know if they would suit. Though the fact remained, he had to at least give her a sign he would welcome her affection.
Kit looked out the window as Mary and the rest of the ladies returned. Her chin had a mulish cast, and he wished he knew what the others had said to her.
“Have you told her how lovely you think she is?” Marcus asked as he glanced out the window.
Kit dragged his gaze from her. “That would be forward.”
“Good God, man.” Huntley dropped his head into his hands. “Every woman likes to be complimented.”
That wasn’t fair. Kit did flatter her. He sniffed. “I do. I tell her what an excellent job she’s done with Rose Hill.”
“We could just take him out and shoot him now,” Rutherford said to no one in particular. “It would put him out of his misery and ours.”
“It’s a good thing”—Marcus gave a rueful smile—“you have us here to help you.”
Huntley refilled Kit’s glass. “When being courted, a lady wants to be told she is beautiful and desirable,notthat she is a good land steward.”
“They also need to be kissed.” Rutherford shook his head in disgust when Kit scowled. “I think you’re making a mistake. The normal rules of polite behavior do not apply to courting, but if you’re not going to kiss her, then you must figure out some way to be more attentive. She probably doesn’t realize you’re even interested in her.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to kiss Mary. Her lips drew him like a siren’s call, but he’d made a habit of correct behavior, and his friends’ advice went against everything he considered honorable. On the other hand, he was becoming desperate, and they could be right. What if he had given her the wrong idea?
“Very well.” Kit took a swallow of the sherry. “I will do as you suggest. If she slaps me, I’ll blame it on you.”
“Here they come.” Huntley grabbed the tumbler from Kit’s hand. “Now tell her how much the fresh air agrees with her. That she has roses in her cheeks or something like that.”
The door opened and the ladies strolled in, all of them but Mary with broad smiles for their men. Kit moved toward her, took her hand, and gave her his most charming smile. “How lovely you look. The fresh air agrees with you.”
God, he sounded like an idiot.
Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “Thank you.”
Well, perhaps not so much of an idiot. She seemed to enjoy the accolade, and she hadn’t even looked as if she wanted to hit him. This wasn’t so bad after all. “I’m afraid we finished off the tea. Would you care for some more?”
He curled her fingers around his.
She glanced at the remnants of the tea tray. “I am a bit sharp-set.”
