Page 33 of Just a Little Daring

“I forbid you to tell him I said that,” Vivien warned him.

“Oh-ho, but you cannot tell me something so intriguing and not explain why my friend has been so labelled. At least, not if you wish me to hold my tongue,” he teased.

Vivien laughed, reflecting that it was far too easy to enjoy this man’s company. “I am afraid I cannot, for I don’t know, other than that they did not get along. Strange, as Aisling is shy and tender-hearted, and I have never known her take anyone in dislike before. She is the kind that has a good word for everyone and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt.” Vivien hesitated, not wanting to insult the man but worried for her friend. “He… He isn’t the kind of man who would—?”

“Good heavens, no!” August said at once. “He’s got a devilish sense of humour, like his brother and he can be a little overbearing, but he’s a decent fellow, good-hearted. He likes to tease, I’ll grant you, but he would never importune a lady.”

Viv sighed, shaking her head. “Well, something is causing her to react so strongly towards him.”

“Well, perhaps he disturbs her peace of mind.”

“I beg your pardon?” Viv said, frowning at him.

August returned a rueful smile. “You disturbed my peace of mind, Miss Anson. You did from the very start.”

Viv’s eyes widened, and she looked at Aisling again at the very moment she stole a covert glance at Sylvester Cootes. Vivian watched them both with interest, aware of August doing likewise. Mr Cootes had by now demolished his bread roll and, discovering the basket empty, attempted to steal Aisling’s. He did it in such an obviously furtive way that he must have known full well she would discover his thievery. She did. Aisling smacked his hand.

“Mr Cootes, the waiter will bring more bread presently. There is no need to steal mine.”

Sylvester returned a pleading expression. “But I’m famished, my lady, and your bread roll was just sitting there, forlorn and forgotten.”

“It was not forgotten,” Aisling said tartly. “I was simply not ready to eat it yet.”

“Whereas I am fading away from a lack of sustenance,” he said with a wistful sigh.

Aisling snorted. “You seem perfectly robust to me!”

A slow, pleased smile curved over the rogue’s mouth. “Why, thank you, Lady Aisling. How kind of you to notice my virile masculine physique.”

“I did no such thing,” she spluttered, colouring.

“Yes, you did. You just said so. You said I was robust.”

The devil’s eyes glinted with mischief.

Aisling’s chin went up. “I only meant that you were in no danger of swooning from lack of nourishment.”

Sylvester shrugged, giving her a pensive sigh. “Perhaps not from a lack of nourishment. At least, not of the kind you eat. My heart and soul, however, are withering away. Why do you treat me so ill when you know I admire you?”

Aisling sent him an incinerating glare. “Why are you such a pestilential nuisance?”

“I bother you, don’t I?” he said, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

“Yes, you do, though why you should look so vastly pleased about it, I cannot fathom.”

“Can’t you?” His grin was growing wider by the moment, an event that seemed to undermine what remained of Aisling’s composure.

“No. And I do wish you would cease speaking altogether rather than talk drivel,” she snapped.

“I am pleased that I bother you, because it means I provoke a reaction,” Sylvester explained with the utmost patience. “If you were indifferent to me, that would be truly devastating, but you are not indifferent.”

“No. Not indifferent,” Aisling agreed with a brittle smile. “I dislike you intensely.”

“Intensely. How fascinating. But why? I do not believe I have done anything to cause great offence. I have teased you a little, perhaps, made you somewhat flustered, but to dislike me intensely without reason is a little odd. Don’t you think?”

“Not in the least.” Aisling put her chin up. “Perhaps you were cruel to me in a previous incarnation.”

Sylvester choked on the wine he’d just taken a sip of. August pounded him on the back until he was breathing easy again. “Forgive me, Lady Aisling, but… but do you mean to tell me I am being punished for sins I committed in another lifetime?”