“You are not. If I had to describe your condition, I’d say you’re totally in your element. This kind of garden and house are exactly where you belong. I wouldn’t deem it unusual to learn you were reared in a palace.”
“I like fine things. It would be futile to deny it.”
“You mentioned your Uncle Harry wasn’t your uncle after all. Were you ever able to determine who your parents were? You’re so magnificent. If you confess that your father was a king, I will absolutely believe it.”
She smirked. “My father wasn’t a king.”
Luke raised a brow. “You found out who he is then?”
“Yes, recently—after Harry passed away.”
She was stunned to find herself blabbing portions of her secret to him. She hadn’t even told Fish or Simon, but he simply encouraged candor. Tidbits were begging to leak out, and she couldn’t shut up.
“Tell me about your father,” he said. “Is he noble? Is he British? Might I be acquainted with him?”
A myriad of replies flitted about in her head. She sifted through them, struggling to figure out the best response.
After she’d realized the import of Harry’s old letters, she’d been dying to apprise someone of the discovery. She’d tamped down the urge though, having convinced herself to tread cautiously, to ponder the angles and ramifications. She had a very tender heart. If she stepped forward and was denounced as a liar—which was very likely—she’d be crushed.
Her greatest wish was to fit in somewhere, to have a family—a real family—where she was a cherished member. She now knew where she’d originally come from, but she couldn’t fathom how to barge back to that spot and demand she be accepted. Her story was—like the monologues she performed on stage—too fantastical to be true.
“I’m certain you’ve never heard of him,” she said, and he scoffed with disgust.
“You’re lying to me again. Why? Is he a criminal? Is he a notorious scoundrel? What?”
She tsked with exasperation. “I might confide in you—someday. And why are you always so sure you can perceive when I’m lying.”
“Your face is an open book to me. We shouldn’t ever gamble.”
“Trust me. We won’t.”
He pointed to the food, and she pretended to swallow small bites. Mostly, she pushed it around with her fork while they talked about everything and nothing. They finished by sharing a piece of pie, with him feeding her from his own slice. It seemed terribly intimate, and she hadn’t understood that sharing a meal could be so personal.
Ultimately, he declared himself stuffed, and he shoved their plates aside and leaned toward her. He studied her in that severe manner he had, his fabulous blue eyes digging deep.
“What should I do with you?” he murmured.
“What a silly question.”
“How shall we carry on? I’m interested in your opinion.”
“I will be happy to dine with you or to join you on a carriage ride whenever you choose to invite me. I’d love to see some of your horses too. We could take a fast canter together.”
She’d already decided that she’d have to devise ways to avoid him. He was entirely too enthralled, and she was beginning to worry that she was too, but she wouldn’t lead him on and have him assume they could have more than a casual meeting.
“I don’t suppose you’d ever agree to a night out at the theater,” he said.
She chuckled. “Since I’ve spent my life on stages, it’s not much of an enticement.”
“If I could walk in with you on my arm, all the other men would be green with envy.”
“I’m afraid it’s an experience you will just have to miss.”
He downed the last of his wine, then he patted his thigh. “Come here.”
“Why?”
“I intend to kiss you senseless. We had pie to conclude the meal, but you are the real dessert.”
“I don’t like the gleam in your eye. It’s obvious you’re planning mischief.”
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You are so stubborn.”
“So are you.”
He rose and stepped around the table, and he lifted her and slid onto her chair, then he snuggled her onto his lap. She could have protested or leapt up and escaped, but the sad fact was that she’d wound up precisely where she’d been desperate to be.
“There’s a potent attraction sizzling between us,” he said.
“No, there isn’t. I constantly suffer through flirtations like this.”
“This isn’t a mere flirtation. How shall we proceed?”
“I’m not the woman you imagine, and I’m definitely not the woman you seem to be seeking. I’m acquainted with dozens of trollops who would be delighted to have an affair with you. If you’re looking for carnal companionship, I can introduce you to some of them.”
He snorted at that. “I’m not looking just for carnal companionship, and with you voicing a word like carnal, I’m convinced you’re not quite as innocent as you claim to be. It makes me want to try harder to wear you down.”
“We’re not at the spot where you’ll get grouchy, are we?”
“No. You could never upset me.”
“Even if I’m not loose with my favors?” she asked.
“Even then, but I think you’re lying about it. I think you’re reeling me in like a fish on a hook. Are you hoping to stir me to an insane level of infatuation in order to drive up your price?”
“You are being absurd, and I have no price.” She rolled her eyes with annoyance. “You’ve insulted me, and I’d like to leave. Will you take me? Or will you force me to find my own way home?”
“If that’s how you presume I’d act, you’re the one who’s being absurd.”
She struggled to scoot away, but he gripped her waist and wouldn’t let her go.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m being an ass.”
“Yes, you are, and if you’re not careful, you’ll spoil a perfectly lovely picnic.”
“You simply tempt me as I’ve never previously been tempted.”
“I wish I could prevent it, but I can’t fathom how I would.”
“I blame it on Fate,” he bizarrely said. “The gods
