Annoyance skittered through him. “Well, that is not what you know what means. You know what refers to sexual matters. At least it did when I left England ten years ago. Who in God’s name is making these bloody rules?”
Her eyes all but spewed smoke. “The more pertinent question is, what would possess you to discuss such a topic with proper young ladies?”
“You told me to mingle. So I mingled. And you’re still not happy. Has anyone ever told you that you’re very difficult to please?”
“I prefer to call it simply expecting decorous behavior-”
“I’m certain you do.”
“-which unfortunately seems beyond you a good portion of the time.”
“Well, since I seem to have committed such an undecorous faux pas, we can only be grateful that you happened along when you did. Otherwise I no doubt would have shown them the sketches I’d drawn of the hieroglyphs I was discussing.”
“Yes, we can only be grateful.” She drew a breath. “All right, remain calm-”
“I am perfectly calm. You, however, may require a dose of laudanum.”
She shot him a glare clearly intended to incinerate him where he stood. “There must be some way to cast a positive light upon this. If not, dear God, I can see the headline in The Times: Cursed, Impotent Viscount Caught Showing Indecent Sketches to Ladies of the Ton. ”
He glared right back at her. “The sketches depict ancient glyphs and are not indecent, nor did I even show them to the young ladies. And for the last damn time, I am not impotent.”
Although she clearly recognized his anger, she didn’t step back. Rather, she lifted her chin another notch. “Fine. But what we need to concentrate on now is fixing this situation before Lady Emily’s and Lady Henrietta’s mouths run amok and ruin everything. Our best recourse is for you to squelch any rumors before they start, and the best way to do that is with flattery. Lots of flattery. Talk your way around the room, commenting on how both young ladies are so very intelligent and their conversation so stimulating. Applaud their curious natures.” She raised her brows. “Do you think you can do that?”
“I suppose, although I fear it will prove a strain to think of lots of flattering things to say about those two nincom-”
“Lord Greybourne. You will recall that the purpose of this evening is to find you a suitable bride-not to scare off every eligible young woman in the room. Now go undo the damage that you’ve done. And please behave yourself.”
Before he could reply, she glided away, regal as royalty, leaving him gnashing his teeth. He watched her leave the room, her gown swaying against her feminine curves. Damn annoying, dictatorial, autocratic, infuriating woman. A slow smile tugged at his lips. He couldn’t wait until this damn party was over so he could tell her exactly what he thought of her.
With the last of the guests finally gone and his home restored to rights thanks to the army of servants Catherine had engaged and brought from her own home, Philip breathed a sigh of relief. He escorted Catherine down the cobbled walkway to the waiting carriage, followed by Bakari.
“The party was a success,” Catherine said. “Speculation and curiosity about you is rampant.”
“And I gather that is preferable to rumor and innuendo?”
She laughed. “Most assuredly. Um, Miss Chilton-Grizedale apprised me of the”-she coughed delicately into her hand-“you know what situation with Lady Emily and Lady Henrietta.”
“Ah. Well, fear not. Through gobs of insincere flattery I was able to divert a disaster.”
Amusement glittered in her eyes. “According to the rumors I heard, several of the young ladies are ‘cautiously smitten’ with you.”
“How excruciatingly complimentary.”
His desert-dry tone elicited a smile from her. “Considering how dire the circumstances were only days ago, we’ve made good progress. Did any of the young ladies capture your interest?”
“You could perhaps categorize me as cautiously smitten with one of them.”
“Indeed?” Her voice was ripe with interest. “With whom?”
He chucked her lightly under her chin, a childhood gesture he’d never outgrown. “If I told you now, Imp, we’d have nothing to talk about when I visit you tomorrow.”
She stuck out her tongue at him, a childhood gesture she’d never outgrown. “That’s beastly, Philip! I shall expire from curiosity before tomorrow.”
“Yes, well, you know what a beast I’ve always been.”
“Actually, I was the beastly one. But I’m glad someone has gained your attention. Father will be very pleased. He’s been much improved in the past few weeks, anticipating your homecoming and wedding.”
“I’m glad.”
“Have you resolved your differences?”
“Not yet.”
“Don’t wait too long, Philip. Even though he’s experiencing a number of ‘good’ days, he slips a bit further away every day. I’d hate for you to have any regrets, of things left unsaid, when he passes away.”
Sadness, guilt, and remorse reared their heads, glowering at him, but he bludgeoned them back. “Don’t worry, Imp. I’ll make things right.” Then, resting his hands on her shoulders, he said, “I’ve something to tell you. Someone broke into the warehouse this evening and ransacked several of my crates.”
Instant concern reflected in her eyes. “Was anything stolen?”
“I’m not yet certain. I don’t want to alarm you, but it’s possible this may be more than a simple robbery attempt. It might be more personally directed-at me. Promise me you’ll be extra careful and not go anywhere alone. Bakari will see you home.”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded. “All right. I promise. But what about you?”
“I’ll be careful as well.” When she expectantly lifted her brows to an imperious height, he added, “I promise.”
He handed her into the carriage, offering a wave and a reminder to expect him to visit her tomorrow. He then strode quickly back up the walk to face the only guest who remained. Just as he closed the door behind him, Meredith entered the foyer and their eyes met. His heart performed a crazy roll and he had to clamp his jaws together to keep from laughing aloud at himself and his strong reaction to the mere sight of this woman.
“I’ll escort you home after Bakari returns with the carriage,” he said, crossing the marble-tiled floor. “May I offer you a drink while we wait? Perhaps a sherry?”
“Thank you. This time together will also afford us the opportunity to compare notes on the evening.”
“Er, yes, compare notes. That is exactly what I wish to do.”
“So you’ve reached some conclusions regarding the young ladies, then?”
“Indeed I have. Come. Let us retire to my study.”
Philip led the way down the corridor, then closed the door behind them. Leaning back against the oak panels, he watched her cross the room, his eyes drawn to the generous curve of her hips hinted at beneath her gown as she walked. His gaze wandered upward, resting on the vulnerable nape of her neck showing where her lustrous hair was upswept into a Grecian knot. Turquoise ribbons, the same shade as her gown, twined through her curls. God help him, she looked as delectable from the back as she did from the front. What had he called himself? Cautiously smitten? Not bloody likely. There was nothing in the least bit cautious about the feelings this woman inspired.
He expected her to sit on the settee, but instead she appeared to sink out of sight. Concerned she’d fallen, he quickly crossed the room to discover her kneeling on the hearth, tickling her fingers over Prince’s belly, much to the squirming puppy’s delight.