to dinner. In his hand, he held his tall beaver hat. The sight of him caused her heart to give a little stutter in her chest as it normally did when she first caught a glimpse of him. But it was only because they were always at odds and she was bracing for the encounter. It had nothing at all to do with the fact that over the years, he’d grown into quite the handsome specimen.
He’d obviously not spotted her because he’d almost reached the door. On the verge of missing her opportunity, a panic nearly set in. Quickly she held up the brass. “My lord, I believe I may have found your key.”
He came to an abrupt halt, and his gaze slowly traveled the length of her. She was grateful the pale green gown flattered her and softened her coloring.
He took several steps toward her, and she didn’t know why it felt as though her corset was being tugged tighter as he came nearer until she could see his eyes more clearly. She’d always thought them beautiful. A deep blue with the tiniest streaks of gray.
“Where did you find it?” he asked.
“On the front drive. I enjoyed a walk earlier in the afternoon and spotted it, just lying there.”
“Interesting.” As he had yet to put on his gloves, his fingers grazed over hers as he took her offering, and a strange sort of warmth traveled not only along her arm but through all her limbs. “I searched the drive after I left you in the garden and had no luck finding it.”
Drat it. Her lie was on the cusp of being found out. “You must admit you were not in your finest form this morning. Perhaps your eyesight was affected.”
His gaze captured hers. “Do you find that I have a fine form, Lady Kathryn?”
He’d lowered his voice and drawn out his words as though they were sharing a delicious secret. She wanted to give one of her usual retorts, although now she was noticing things about him that she hadn’t before. When had his shoulders broadened so? When had he begun to fill out his clothing so nicely? From all appearances, he looked quite toned, and she wondered if he engaged in any sports. He was her dear friend’s brother, and yet she knew so little about the specifics of him, really.
Still, she ignored his question, instead saying, “I assume you’re on your way to a gaming hell or gentleman’s club.”
“As the spare, what else am I expected to do?”
She did not miss the sarcasm in his tone. He no doubt took exception to what he’d overheard that morning. She wasn’t against all spares, merely the reprobate ones, the ones like her uncle and cousin—unfortunately a category into which Griff fell. “Join the army, become a vicar, seek a position as a member of Parliament.”
“You can’t truly see me engaged in any of those occupations, surely.”
“Do you intend to be just a gentleman of leisure all of your life?” Why had she asked that? Why was she prolonging this encounter?
Something—almost a longing—flashed in his eyes before he stepped back. “More like a scoundrel, I should think. Thank you for the key.” With a wink, he tucked it into the pocket of his waistcoat and turned to leave.
“You haven’t a pocket watch or fob.”
His attention was back on her, and she wondered why she’d only now noticed his lack of accessory and had bothered to ask about it. Why was he suddenly rousing her curiosity?
“No. When Marcus reached his majority, Father handed him the one that his father had passed on to him. I thought he might purchase one for me when I reached my majority, but as that is six years past, I suppose I should see about purchasing my own.”
“What did he give you when you reached your majority?”
“Nothing, as I recall.”
The words came out even and flat, as though he harbored no emotion regarding them, but how could he have not been disappointed? “I’m so terribly sorry.”
An emotion now sparked in those blue-gray eyes. Anger, embarrassment, irritation. “I don’t require your pity. If you’ll excuse me, I must away. Lady Luck and other ladies await my arrival.”
Once more he made to leave—
“Is it likely that you might cross paths with the Duke of Kingsland this evening?”
This time when he faced her, his eyes were narrowed and his jaw taut. “It’s possible. We frequent the same club.”
Licking her lips, she clasped her hands together and took a step