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He stared at her blankly. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“We are married,” she teased. “I am sure I will see you without your jacket on when we arrive at Hawthorne House.”
“Quite right.” Oliver leaned forward as he removed his jacket and placed it next to him on the bench. “That is much better.”
“I am happy to hear that.”
Oliver gave her a flirtatious smile. “It is your turn now.”
“Pardon?”
Perusing her blue traveling gown, he said, “You are more than welcome to remove any articles of your clothing.”
Emmeline felt her cheeks grow increasingly warm as she chided, “That was most inappropriate for you to say.”
Oliver chuckled. “I was just teasing you.”
“You shouldn’t tease me in such a fashion.”
“No?” he asked. “How would you like me to tease you?”
Emmeline reached into her reticule and pulled out her fan. As she fanned her face, she replied, “There is no reason to tease me.”
“I disagree,” he said. “I find I rather enjoy teasing you.”
She frowned. “I think you teased me sufficiently when we were younger.”
“You will discover that I only tease the people I care about.”
Lowering the fan to her lap, she suggested, “I suppose I should learn more about you, now that we are married.”
“What would you wish to know?” he asked.
“What is your favorite dish for supper?”
“I prefer mutton.”
Nodding, she asked, “And your favorite dessert?”
“I enjoy all flavors of ice cream.”
“Do you engage in boxing?”
“I do.”
“Are you a hunter?”
“I am.”
Emmeline considered her next question for a moment before asking, “What is your favorite book?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have one.”
“But you enjoy reading?”
He grinned. “I do,” he replied. “I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at the size of the library at Hawthorne House.”
“That does please me, because I’ve read nearly every book at my townhouse,” she said.
