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“I am interested to know.”
Her eyes widened, and a becoming flush dusted over her delicate cheekbones. She seemed to consider the question cautiously. “I have an eclectic taste,” Miss Fernsby finally murmured. “I enjoy philosophical books, but I also devour gothic romances and mysteries.” There was the slightest of hesitations, then she said, “What do you enjoy reading, my lord?”
“I read because I must edify my mind. I cannot recall having an enjoyment of it or any particular author.”
She started at him, clearly aghast. “What a singular, unnerving notion.”
He laughed at how mournful she sounded.
“Forgive me, my lord—”
“Please, Miss Fernsby, I appreciate your lack of pretension.”
She blinked, as if still struggling to collect herself. With a jolt, he realized he did not want her to affect a constructed façade with him. Colin wanted the real, honest character of the woman even though he knew he had no right to it.
She lifted her gaze to his. “You will need to procure a new wardrobe.”
He scowled. “What is wrong with my clothes?”
“They are not the latest fashion, I’m afraid.”
“These are new clothes, Miss Fernsby.”
Her nose wrinkled in that charming manner. “But not ton fashion.”
“And owning the latest fashion is important to a wife?” he asked with a frown. “Fickle woman.”
She tapped the stick on the carpeted ground. “Not fickle, it makes her discerning and understanding of your position in the ton. It is the reason the wolf wears the sheep’s clothing.”
“To trick others into thinking he belongs,” he murmured.
Another soft smile. “Precisely so, my lord.”
“I do not want to pretend.”
“So you want to remain the wolf?”
There was a soft mockery or perhaps censure in her tone. Miss Fernsby was even more interesting than he’d initially thought. There was a story to be uncovered there, and it flummoxed him that he felt a raw pulse of curiosity to know about this woman sitting before him.
She was not his type; she was not the sort of woman he normally dallied with. What in God’s name am I thinking? It was not as if he wanted to dally with her. Curiosity did not equate to dalliance he reminded himself. He fought the burgeoning attraction. With everything his family faced, he did not need this sort of complication. Masking his reaction at the errant thought, he said, “What else must I learn today?”
“When you are garbed in the latest fashion, it will show the lords and ladies of high society that you are comfortable walking in their world, amongst them. It shows you belong and even more importantly that you know that you belong. It will show your arrogance, your wealth, your certainty that you are an experienced man of the world, who is up to date with current affairs and the fashions of the ton. Now that I understand your goal is to secure a respectable wife who will esteem you, for your first lessons we will concentrate on the proper form of conduct when interacting with ladies. Whether you are courting them or not. A great starting point is what not to do.”
“I am all ears,” he murmured, wondering at the compelling sensations winding through his body. It was unnerving, for he’d never had an inexplicable attraction to a lady before. Nothing this sudden or perplexing.
Glancing away from his probing stare, she cleared her throat delicately before meeting his eyes once again. “You must…you mustn’t allow your gaze to linger on a lady’s mouth,” she said a bit shakily.
“Why not?”
“It is rude.”
Colin smiled. “Hardly that. It merely communicates that I find her desirable and that I would perhaps enjoy kissing her.”
Her fingers tightened on the quill. “Perhaps I should reframe the lesson. It is not done to stare at my mouth as if you wish to kiss me, while looking for a wife.”
“I am not yet looking for a wife. That might be months from now.”
Startled silver eyes met his. The impression that he did want to kiss her lingered in the air between them. He was sorely tempted to cross the distance separating them, take her in his arms, and kiss her until she was breathless with want.
