all night. You won’t even look at me … which is truly a shame. This is my best waistcoat, and I had my valet take special care with my hair in anticipation that you would notice how dapper I look.”
She snapped her fan shut and glared at him, unable to avoid it when he was goading her. He always seemed to know just how to get a rise out of her.
Unfortunately, he did cut a dashing figure in his evening clothes. His eyes glittered with their usual mischief and seductive promise.
“You clean up nicely,” she conceded. “So well, in fact, that one cannot tell they stand in the presence of a snake in men’s clothing.”
To her surprise, his response to her insult was a hearty laugh. Many curious gazes fell on her, as if they wondered just what she’d said to amuse him. Calliope shrank under the scrutiny, trying to put a bit of distance between them lest someone think she was behaving improperly. Before she could take more than two steps, Nick had smoothly taken hold of her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm.
“Walk with me so everyone can see how well we look together. It’ll drive Lewes mad.”
Calliope gritted her teeth but went along with his suggestion because, of course, it was a good idea. He steered her toward the perimeter of the room, his gait slow and leisurely.
“Would it help if I apologized?”
She issued an indelicate snort. “We both know you wouldn’t mean it.”
“Fair enough. Perhaps I should simply be honest. I wanted that kiss badly enough to swindle you out of it. So much I couldn’t think straight, let alone take hold of what little scruples I do have.”
The admission provoked a wild fluttering low in her belly. Ridiculous.
“Well, you got what you wanted. I hope you are satisfied.”
He caught her gaze and held it, their progress grinding to a halt as they came near a set of open French doors. The terrace stretched out under a pale moon. A soft evening breeze offered a bit of relief from the heat. Nick’s eyes gleamed without a hint of amusement as he stared down at her, his nostrils flaring like a predator scenting its next meal. Calliope shivered, caught in his thrall like the weakest of prey.
“Not in the least, goddess,” he whispered. “It wasn’t nearly enough for me, and I don’t think it was for you, either.”
Calliope pulled her slackened mouth shut and fought for composure. This was absurd. She didn’t want this man. She didn’t!
“I do not wish to speak of it. Please … I don’t want anyone to overhear us.”
He looked as if he wished to protest, but eventually agreed with a nod. “Very well. I never got a chance to tell you how much I enjoyed my visit to the foundling home.”
She stumbled to keep up as he resumed their walk, pulling her away from the open doors. Reeling from the abrupt change of subject, she scrambled for an adequate response.
“Really? I would have thought such an outing would bore you.”
“Yes, well, the absence of a Hazard table or lightskirts considered …”
At her shocked look, he laughed and patted her hand where it rested on his forearm.
“I was joking. You do like jokes, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. It is only that your jokes can often be so … inappropriate.”
“The best jokes often are. I know you do not think much of me, but I happen to like children, so a visit to the home was neither boring nor tedious.”
That statement called to mind the sweets he’d carried in his pocket, and the heartwarming sight of him surrounded by children and playing cards.
“You were very good with them, I noticed. Thomas, in particular, seemed rather taken with you.”
His lips softened into a genuine smile. “I’ve had a bit of practice with children over the years. My siblings keep creating them, and I keep thinking up new and inventive ways to spoil them and bring their more monstrous qualities to the surface.”
She couldn’t help an answering smile. “I am certain they adore you. I think you shall be a wonderful father, if you can convince some lady to abandon her sanity long enough to wed you.”
“Touché,” he said between snorts of laughter. “Perhaps I’d better make it easier on myself and head straight to Bedlam to begin interviewing prospective brides.”
Calliope wanted to be amused at his little quip, but for some reason could only frown. “You make light of your