Page 73 of His Scandal
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Just relax into it. If you don’t know what you’re going to say, just smile or laugh while you’re thinking, instead of stiffening.”
“And is this how you deal with every situation?” Emmeline asked, her probing eyes seeing more than he meant to show her.
“It is quite natural for me not to take anything people say to heart. Why would I allow them that kind of advantage over me? Max, make a joke of things when you need to.”
“I already have a sense of humor,” Willoughby said mildly, “though I admit to not always using it. But I am not here to have you rebuild me in your image, Alex.”
Instead of being offended, Alex found himself rather impressed. “Nicely done. I think we can make this work. Now, my lady, you mentioned food?”
Emmeline looked between them with obvious confusion, then she shrugged and turned toward the dining chamber. Alex stepped quickly to walk at her side, and found that Willoughby was already on her other side. Damn, the man wasn’t as foolish as Alex had surmised. Together, they led Emmeline into the next room.
Alex let the lessons go as he studied Willoughby’s ease of conversation with Emmeline. There hardly seemed to be a problem in this area, so did she want Willoughby to be more confident in other areas? He couldn’t stop his thoughts from dwelling darkly on this, and didn’t realize the others were looking at him.
“Alex?” Emmeline said.
He glanced at her. “Yes?”
“You’ve hardly eaten a thing. Is something wrong?”
He smiled. “I just broke my fast at a late hour this morn, my lady. Do forgive my lack of appetite. Max, are you ready to begin?”
They returned to the parlor, and with amusement, he watched Emmeline nervously look out into the hallway. She didn’t quite have the nerve to shut the doors, though.
“Emmeline, don’t hide yourself in a corner,” Alex said, trying not to laugh. “Do come here with Max and me. You’ll be an integral part of our lessons.”
“Me?” she managed, coming toward them.
He couldn’t help taking in the whole lovely picture she made, from her hair pulled up tight beneath her French headdress, down to her corseted waist, which only made her full breasts and curvaceous hips all the more appealing. When she looked like that, he could not imagine why another man had not snatched her up in a mouthful.
But not Willoughby, of course.
“Yes, Emmeline,” he continued, “it will be impossible for me to show Max the lessons I’m trying to teach without someone to demonstrate on.”
He watched with satisfaction as the scarlet coloring began in her cheeks and traveled all the way down her neck to disappear under her ruff.
“What an improper suggestion!”
Willoughby looked between them in a bemused fashion.
“Lady Emmeline,” Alex said, as if affronted, “surely you misunderstand me. I will teach no lessons I think improper for public viewing. Did you expect such a thing of me?”
“No!” she replied too quickly.
He saw the glance she shot at Willoughby, and his gut tightened. So she didn’t want her latest conquest to know she was attracted to Alex?
“Max, let’s pretend that Emmeline is a lady I’ve just been introduced to.”
He swept into a deep bow before her, extending one leg. She gave a quick curtsy, then Alex caught her hand.
“While still bowing,” he continued, “reach for her hand and kiss it. Linger for a bit.”
Alex brought Emmeline’s hand to his lips and held it there.
Willoughby cleared his throat. “Surely bowing is enough?”
Though she tugged, Alex didn’t release her, and spoke against her sweet-smelling skin. “A kiss, Max,” he murmured, pleased to feel her tremble. “And linger. Even meet her eyes again.”
