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Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Me? Mercenary? Whatever gave you that impression?”
“You commented on my lovely home. My lovely carriage. And just now you asked if I was in the market for a wife. By the way, the answer to that is a vehementno.”
She gaped at him. “I was merely making conversation. But I can see how you would be particularly sensitive to these innocently intended comments because there are so many young ladies who would seek you out merely because of your wealth and not care about you at all.”
“And you’re not one of them? Did you not come to me because your parents are in dire straits?”
She punched him in the shoulder.
He caught her hand when she tried to punch his shoulder again.
He now had a firm hold of both her leg and hand.
This was most embarrassing.
“How dare you suggest such a thing. Of all the effrontery! Release my leg. I intend to kick you again. And unhand my hand.”
His lips twitched, not quite a smile, but at least he was no longer in that insufferable sulk. “You are not endearing yourself to me, Hyacinth. Do you not wish to gain my favor?”
“Not if you are always like this. Are you always like this?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll simply have to change. I’ll forgive your idiotic remark this once because you were raised in cruelty, and I still weep for the happy childhood you ought to have had but never did…except with us. Are you ever going to release my leg?”
“Or unhand your hand? Not yet. I rather like holding on to you.”
“Fine, if you intend to take liberties, may I do the same? Do you mind if I tug on your ears?”
He burst out laughing and released her. “Gad, you haven’t changed in all these years. And I did not let go of you so that you can hit me again, so you had better not.”
“I won’t. You are smiling again. You look very handsome when you smile.” She leaned forward. “That is merely a statement of fact. I am not trying to flatter you. Nor am I trying to borrow money from you. Honestly, how can you be so ridiculous?”
“Duly noted.” He glanced out the window again. “We’re almost at Chipping Way.”
She moved to sit beside him and took his hand. “How do you feel, Innes? Does it feel like a homecoming to you?”
He stared down at their entwined hands, albeit their gloved hands. But her touch still felt splendid. He made no comment about it or the fact that they were now sharing the same carriage seat. “I don’t know. I have to think about it.”
“Well, I don’t.” She could not stop a tear or two from escaping her eyes. “Welcome home, Innes.”
