Page 68 of Never a Bride
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 own 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.”
He looked up her arm and found her gazing at him wide-eyed.
“Emmeline, does this work?” he asked, lifting his head ever so slightly, letting his breath bathe her hand. Her hesitation fed his victory.
“I—I suppose ’twould not betooimproper.”
He released her and stepped back. “Your turn, Max.”
Emmeline gathered her composure as she watched Maxwell take her hand. He kissed it, even lingered, but…it was not the same. Over his head she looked up at Alex, who was staring at her in obvious triumph. Oh, why did he have to know that his kiss affected her more than Maxwell’s?
Maxwell released her and stepped back. “What if a woman does not freely give me her hand?”
Emmeline knew he was imagining Blythe’s rejection.
“Then you take it,” Alex said. “A woman does not always know what is best for her.”
Glaring, she fisted her hands on her hips. “I beg your pardon?”
He held up both hands and laughed. “Perhaps my choice of words was poor. Let us say ‘a woman does not always know her own mind.’”
She shook her head.
“‘A woman does not always know how she feels about you until you show her’?” he asked, his voice softening.
Emmeline swallowed heavily. “Still not accurate, but not so insulting.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
“Shall we move on to another topic?” she asked, knowing Maxwell watched them with curious eyes.
Alex studied her thoughtfully, his brow furrowed, and even had the audacity to walk about, perusing her from all sides.
“What are you doing?” she finally demanded.
“Deciding what to teach next. My lady, it is not as if I ever deliberately think of the way I relate to a woman. It comes very naturally to me.”
