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“The thing is, it was so unfortunate that he happened in on you while you were wearing those dreadful clothes, and then he set up your back with his remarks … and, oh my.” A long sigh escaped Nanny’s lips. “But, for my part, I have found him all that is gentlemanly and kind.”
“Did you?” Kitty’s eyes opened wide. “But, Nanny, he is so rude and arrogant. Also, I think he is conceited. He seems to think a great deal about himself and looks to me as though he is heartily bored with everything. Besides that, I am fairly certain he is something of a libertine!”
“Oh, my dear,” Nanny objected. “That can’t be true. Your guardian would not have put you in his care … if that were true.”
Kitty considered this for a moment. “Well, Uncle had not seen him in many years …?”
“Come, child. We are going to be late for dinner, and that would never do on his first night here,” Nanny said, standing up.
Kitty smiled and took her hand. “Indeed, and I am sorry if I worried you. I should not have done so.”
Nanny patted her hand and smiled but offered no further comment on the subject, and Kitty did wonder how it was the earl had won her dear Nanny over so quickly. As a rule, Nanny did not take to strangers.
* * *
The earl had bathed and changed into a very fine blue cutaway coat with a pale blue embroidered white waistcoat. His breeches were caramel in color and his boots, a highly polished dark brown. He tied his cr
avat intricately in the manner the Beau had recently taught him and grinned at himself. What was he doing?
He undid the cravat and adopted a more casual knot. He eyed his reflection and arched a brow with his thoughts. His ensemble had come from a tailor of the first stare, one that he would soon be able to afford. That thought slightly lifted his dampened spirits, and he gave himself one more glance. Nothing about the dandy in him, of that he was certain.
His shoulders were broad, his height mountainous, and he had a generally athletic build. He eyed his black hair, which fell negligently over his forehead and ears and was cropped at his neckline. Fine. Perhaps little miss hoyden would learn by example how one presented oneself to the world—with style!
He made his way to the library and there poured himself another snifter of brandy. As he stood slowly sipping the brew, he thought of Kitty and could not help smiling.
She had come down in her schoolgirl gown for tea earlier that afternoon, her hair a gorgeous array of golden silk around her quite extraordinarily lovely face, and stood ready to take him on. He had seen the fire in her green eyes, ever ready to deal word for word, and he had been amused.
He had, for a moment, been speechless.
To say that her beauty was riveting would not have been enough.
To say that her eyes could slay a man was an understatement.
She was exquisite, with her cheeks rosy and her liveliness every ready.
Although she was not tall, her stature was regal, and he had to admit that, when she wanted to, she certainly knew just how to conduct herself. She had taken her seat and served the tea like a seasoned London hostess, dispensing perfect commonplaces in the way of easy conversation. He had been more than taken aback.
And then he’d pinched her ire when he made the mistake of saying, “Well, I have to admit that I am surprised.”
“Surprised at what?” Her green eyes flashed at him.
“Er … well, what I meant was …” He realized the mistake but was not able to extricate himself.
“That you thought me a hoyden simply because we met while I was in britches?” Her brow was up. “That you thought I was not capable of dressing and carrying myself well?”
“Serve his lordship one of Cook’s little small cakes. He will like that,” Nanny had interjected.
“Yes, do serve me a small cake,” he had told her and couldn’t stop the appreciative grin from spreading his lips wide.
“Oh, yes, of course, my lord,” she said between gritted teeth and did just that. “How remiss of me.”
They did not speak for some moments, and when they did speak, each spoke only to poor Nanny, who sat clearly uncomfortable throughout the ordeal. Finally, Withers had appeared and said that his lordship’s barouche and valet had arrived, and he excused himself to attend to his people and his things.
Now, rested, bathed, and ready, he would have to suffer dinner with the chit. Why a part of him was looking forward to it, he could not say. Perhaps because she was a challenge. He so loved a challenge.
He had partially closed the library doors when he had entered a few moments before and looked up when he heard it open to find Miss Diddles gingerly stepping through, closely followed by Miss Kingsley.
His breath caught in his throat. She was stunning. Even in a gown that was no more than passable, she was absolutely a goddess. Her green eyes flashed at him defiantly, no doubt waiting for some criticism, but he couldn’t even speak, let alone find fault.
