left for Paris without saying goodbye, possibly had a mistress there with whom he fathered an illegitimate child or two. “He’s not, I promise.”
“I always thought he was an empty-headed swell, like some of his friends, but he seems different after Paris. More mature. Confident. And, dare I say, handsomer?” She paused and studied Maddie’s face. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Was Nellie fishing to see if Maddie’s opinion of him had changed? Well, Maddie had no intention of confessing her private thoughts, not even to a close friend. “I hadn’t really noticed.”
“Liar. Nothing slips your attention, which means you didn’t want to be honest with me. I wonder why?” Nellie’s attention wandered for a brief moment toward the door. “He’s just walked in. If he comes directly over here, then you’ll know I am right about his feelings for you.”
“Hardly an empirical study, Nellie.”
“There’s no need for an empirical study when it comes to men. All the knowledge I require is right here.” She tapped a fingertip to her temple.
“Hello, ladies.” Harrison now stood there, glancing down at them. “I hope I am not interrupting.”
Nellie shot Maddie a smug look before rising. “Of course not, Mr. Archer. Here, take my seat. I need to stretch my legs a bit.” She moved away to join a small group of women near the fireplace.
Harrison sat at the other end of the window seat. “I hadn’t thought she knew my name.”
“All the ladies here know your name.”
“I suppose that’s true, but I haven’t been introduced to that one yet.”
“That’s Nellie Young. You probably don’t remember her.”
“I don’t, I’m afraid. Should I?”
She studied him from under her lashes, distracted by the transformation in him. Even Nellie had noticed it, apparently. He was thoroughly masculine, a grown man, with a thick, strong throat and rugged jaw. He still had adorably rumpled hair, though. And the same smile.
Why was she so fascinated by these changes? And why did they set her heart racing?
He was looking at her carefully, one brow raised in question, and her mouth started moving before she could stop it. “Did you father a child in Paris?”
The question caught Harrison off-balance. His face slackened, his brows shooting high. Maddie must have been equally taken aback because she immediately put her hand over her mouth, her expression filled with pure horror.
Silence descended for a long moment before her cheeks turned a dusky rose. “Forgive me. I have no right to ask you such a thing. Forget I even brought it up.”
Unlikely he could forget such an unexpected question. She and Kit had whispered all throughout dinner, so had his friend led her to believe Harrison had fathered a bastard in Paris? Kit was certainly capable of such troublemaking. “Who told you that?”
She carefully straightened the pleats of her skirt, not meeting his eye. “I won’t say. Besides, your personal life is none of my concern.”
He folded his arms across his chest, fighting a smile. Her discomfort was adorable. “Someone must have put the idea in your head. Who was it?”
“No one. I must have drunk too much wine.”
“Yes, I noticed you had a second glass.”
That made her look up, her brows pulled low. “Why would you notice such a thing?”
“Do not change the subject, Mads. I want a name.”
“I won’t tell you. So is it true?”
He studied her carefully. She seemed to be holding her breath, as if bracing for bad news, awaiting his answer. Was she worried he would say yes?
This was an interesting turn. Why would his answer matter? If she felt nothing for him, then she would not have pressed the issue. Was this jealousy?
Jealousy implied feelings. Deeper, non-brotherly feelings.
Was his plan working?
Spirits lifting considerably, he said, “I have no children, legitimate or otherwise.”
Her shoulders relaxed, though her voice remained nonplussed. “Oh.”
“Oh? That is all you have to say?”
“As I said, it’s none of my business. I don’t really care either way.”
She was a terrible liar. She bit her lip and looked down each time she lied, just as she was doing now.
He decided to explore this idea of jealousy a bit more. Leaning in, he dropped his voice. “If you must know, I had a close longtime friend of the female variety while there, and we were diligent about preventing consequences.”
She cleared her throat, and her hands curled into fists in her lap. “I see.”
Harrison pressed his lips together to keep from grinning at this turn of events. It was like a door had opened, a new path revealed, one that led