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He smirked. “Since when has flattery been considered inappropriate?”
She brought them to a complete stop and glared at him reproachfully. “Do not make me regret my decision to join you out here.”
“My apologies.” He grinned but nodded and then moved them back into a walk. “Why did you come out here if you so detest the outdoors, not to mention my company?”
Her eyes shifted but she refused to make eye contact with him. “I conceded you were right and it was too beautiful of a day to miss.”
He leaned close and whispered, “Liar.”
She sighed. “If you continue speaking to me in such a derogatory way, Mr. Colby, I will have to insist you take me back to the house.”
He chuckled but continued toward the bench. “My apologies, my lady, I hate for you to turn back now after coming so far.”
Her glance shifted in his direction. “Contrary to your words, Mr. Colby, I do not dete
st your company. As a matter of fact, I have quite enjoyed it.”
He shot a quizzical glance at her. “Truly?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t get a big head over it.”
He laughed outright. “I promise I won’t. Though I admit, I thought it had more to do with this.”
They stopped in front of the bench where he picked up Evelina.
She blushed and shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps a little.”
He smiled. “I confess to being slightly insulted, but pleased you are honest enough to admit it.”
She took the book from him before he could change his mind and sat down on the bench, relieved to get off her feet.
He slumped down next to her and crossed one leg over the other as he leaned back and gazed at her.
“You weren’t serious about staring at me all afternoon, were you Mr. Colby?”
He paused then said, “Ryan.”
She nodded. “Ryan.”
“And yes, I do plan on gazing upon you. What else is there for me to do? You’ve taken my only reading material.” He accused humorously.
Evelina couldn’t help but grin. “You could take a stroll amongst the garden.”
“But then I would have to part from your company.” He shook his head. “No, that wouldn’t do.”
“Perhaps you could play your harmonica?”
He gave her a knowing look. “But that would disturb your reading.”
She hesitated before saying, “Or perhaps you recount one of your adventures from out on the lakes?”
He stilled while a softness crept into his expression that immediately warmed Evelina’s heart.
“You would care to hear one of my stories?”
“Yes.”
He glanced down at the book. “What about Evelina?”
