I shrugged my shoulders. “He seemed nice enough, but he has his flaws.”
David narrowed his eyes. “What flaws?”
“He was, as predicted, much too tall.”
His eyes darkened again, and his eyes went to my mouth. “Really?”
I nodded, thinking back to our conversation in my bedroom. “And too old.”
“He is only a few years your senior.”
“Don’t remind me. I am also, perhaps, too old.”
“You aren’t.”
I was finally starting to believe him when he said things like that. The appreciative look in his eye made it hard not to. I should have been brave for a few minutes longer and lengthened that kiss. “Don’t flatter me, David. I’m not certain I can manage myself if you do.”
He pointed to his mouth. “You think that kiss wasmanagingyourself?”
Had he not noticed how short it was? “Very much so.”
His eyes lowered, the smallest crease forming at the corners of his lips. Not quite a smile, but it was gone almost as soon as I’d noticed it. When he met my eyes again, he looked like a sailor facing a hurricane—wary but settled, one hand bracing himself on the chair tucked into his desk. “Tell me what other flaws you find in my brother.”
“I don’t think he would marry a woman simply to help her.”
He shook his head. “I’m not certain that is a flaw.”
“His hair is too dark, by a shade.”
David swallowed, his hand clenching tighter on the chair.
“He’s never held me while I was sick.”
His eyelids closed slowly enough for me to watch their descent.
“And he resembles your father.”
David stiffened, and whatever he’d been steeling himself against disappeared. My comment had taken him by surprise. His eyes flew open. “He isn’t anything like my father.” His voice wasn’t angry, but it was firm.
“I mean in appearance. It’s unsettling.”
David nodded once. “I think on that point, Garrett would agree.”
I thought perhaps he would ask me to point out more things Garrett lacked, but he didn’t. Our chance of quiet flirtation had disappeared the moment I’d mentioned his father.
“I suppose we should dress for dinner,” I said.
His eyes searched my face. “Only if you aren’t too tired. If you need to rest, I can make your excuses.”
“Are you worried about me hearing any more disparaging remarks your brother might make about your work ethic?”
“Of course not. We both know he is grasping at straws to get a rise out of me.”
I smiled. “I feel well enough. And I like having a guest. I hope he will visit more often.” The words were out before I realized my mistake. Even if he did visit more often, I might not be here the next time he came.
“Garrett tends to stay in London with my father.”
“I don’t understand Garrett’s relationship to him. Do they live together there?”
