Page 69 of Never a Bride
Emmeline suppressed an unladylike snort.
He held up a hand. “I have it! Max, it’s often about how you look at a woman, as well as what you say. A woman wants to know she’s the center of your thoughts—at the moment, anyway—and she should be able to read that on your face. Look deeply into her eyes and don’t look away. Emmeline?”
He caught up her hand again, pressing his lips to the back of it.
“You already demonstrated this,” she said tightly.
“We must reinforce the lesson,” he murmured, then looked up at her with laughing eyes.
But the laughter died, and he stared at her as he slowly straightened to his full height. She looked into those black, mysterious depths, transfixed by the intensity and the banked emotion he usually kept hidden.
Then it was all suddenly gone, as if it had never existed.
He grinned at a wide-eyed Maxwell. “Do you see what I mean?”
Emmeline felt like slumping into a chair, as if she were a puppet with her strings cut.
Maxwell shook his head. “I could hardly stare in silence at a woman, Alex. I’d be laughed out of the room.”
“I admit, there’s a trick to knowing exactly how long is enough. But you could be complimenting the style of her gown meanwhile, or the color of her eyes. Women love compliments, don’t they, Emmeline?”
“Uh…of course, provided it’s tastefully done and not to the extreme.”
“Just don’t look away, Max,” Alex said.
“What if the women looks away first?” Maxwell asked.
“Then use the tone of your voice and your compliments to woo her attention. Practice the things you’ll say. Ask her what she enjoys. Don’t brag about yourself, unless she asks you first. Now would you like to practice on Emmeline?”
Maxwell wiped a hand across his face and gave a tired sigh. “Before I make a fool of myself, I think I need to practice in private. Thank you for your help, Alex.”
“That can’t be all,” she said quickly. “Aren’t there more things to tell Maxwell about?”
“I did have a few others in mind,” Alex said.
“Then could we meet another time?” Maxwell asked. “I have an appointment with a vintner who wishes to sample my wine.”
Emmeline handed him his hat and gloves. “If we meet two days from now, will that give you enough time?”
She almost felt sorry for him as he sighed—but not quite. She was doing this for his benefit, after all.
“Lady Emmeline, you have been too kind. I cannot ask—”
“But you can, and I insist. Noon again, on Monday? Our cook will make another wonderful dinner.”
He finally smiled at her. “You are persuasive, my lady. I shall be here.” He turned to look at Alex. “And thank you for playing the tutor so well. Would you care to ride into town with me?”
To Emmeline’s surprise, Alex shook his head. “No, I have to discuss our next lessons with my assistant. A good day to you.”
Maxwell gave Alex a speculative look, nodded politely to Emmeline, and left the room. She kept her back to Alex, wishing she could have begged Maxwell to stay. But then she would have had to admit she didn’t want to be alone with Alex.
Chapter 20
Emmeline was not about to play the coward. Straightening her shoulders, she turned around and confronted Alex.
“More of your secret tricks?” she asked coolly.
“They aren’t tricks, Em,” he said softly. “I’m not lying when I tell a woman she interests me, or show it with my attention to her. Women fascinate me—youfascinate me.”
