The companion scrutinized him in silence, causing his smile to dim. He shifted uncomfortably in his stance, unsure of what she was looking for. After a prolonged moment, her gaze shifted to Miss Delacourt. “I will expect you home shortly, and no lollygagging.”
“I understand,” Simone said. While her words were straightforward, her eyes betrayed a mischievous gleam.
“Very well,” the companion urged.
Simone’s lady’s maid stepped into the drawing room and she was holding a blue bonnet in her hands. She extended ittowards Simone. “I thought you would like to wear this on your carriage ride, Miss.”
“Thank you,” Simone acknowledged as she accepted the bonnet.
Once Simone tied the strings under her chin, Caleb offered his arm towards her. “Allow me to escort you to my carriage.”
Simone placed her hand on his sleeve and he led her out of the townhouse. Once she was situated inside of the open carriage, Caleb sat across from her.
The carriage moved into traffic and Caleb inquired, “So that was your companion?”
“Yes, Mrs. Fernsby,” Simone replied. “She is blind as a bat, and possibly sleeps as much as they do.”
Caleb chuckled. “She is very good at intimidation. I think the agency could use her.”
“She probably was staring at you to see if you were a real gentleman,” Simone joked. “It has been a long time since a gentleman has called upon me.”
“Why is that?” he asked. “You are a beautiful young woman.”
With a huff, Simone responded, “What did I say about flattery?”
“I am merely trying to understand,” Caleb replied.
Simone’s eyes grew guarded. “Finding a suitor is like a game. You take the hand that you have been dealt and use it to your advantage. But I am not interested in playing the game. I sit on the sides and watch the young women fall over themselves to secure a husband. A part of me feels sorry for them that they so desperately want a husband to control them.”
“Not every husband is controlling of his wife,” Caleb pointed out.
“That may be true, but it is not a gamble I wish to make,” Simone said. “I am doing just fine on my own.”
Caleb heard Simone’s words, unsure if she genuinely believed them. A hint of sadness lingered in her voice, prompting him to wonder if she was even aware of it.
“Please stop looking at me like that,” Simone said.
Realizing that he had been caught staring, he asked, “Like what?”
“You are analyzing me, searching for something that is not there,” Simone replied.
Caleb lifted his brow, challenging her. “Is there something that you think I might find?”
Simone rolled her eyes. “You are an infuriating man.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said.
“That was not a compliment.”
Caleb shrugged one shoulder. “I took it as one.”
Simone turned her attention towards the shops as Caleb decided to ask the one question that had plagued him. “What is it about me that you don’t like?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It is a simple enough question,” Caleb said. “Did I do something to offend you?”
Simone stared at him for a moment before admitting, “I don’t entirelydislikeyou.” Her words were hardly convincing.
