Page 33 of Beguiling the Baron

“You must think me rude, reading my paper at table.” His tone was easy, relaxed.

“Oh, not at all,” Mama replied, “so long as you don’t object to me perusing my correspondence.”

“Not in the least.”

Tia watched this exchange, inwardly congratulating her mother on appearing so poised in light of what Hal might—or might not—have overheard.

The small teapot was brought in. He was still trying the St. John’s Wort, even though it must taste foul. He genuinely was taking some of her suggestions to heart.

Triumph upon triumph!

If only it weren’t for that damned folly, and his blind refusal to accept what was best for his daughter, she could almost . . . she could almost like the man.

“I trust the room is feline-free at present? I’ve had two pairs of breeches ruined already by the mountaineering monster.”

“I believe so, sir.” Tia was thankful to have her thoughts steered in another direction. “One might imagine the kitten has taken to you.”

“Indeed. I have the scratches to prove it.” He gazed at her intently. “Not because I’ve been unkind to it, you realize. It simply plays a trifle too . . . enthusiastically.”

She acknowledged the hit with a brief nod and waited to see if he was prepared to make any further attempt at ‘normal’ conversation.

His long fingers caressed the curved sides of the small teapot, making her recall with a shock how those same fingers had caressed her naked breast that mad midsummer’s night. Damn the man. Was he doing it on purpose?

“Is your preserve not to your liking, Miss Wyndham?”

What preserve? Oh, her breakfast, or what remained of it. Forgotten, apparently.

“I’m not as hungry as I thought, my lord.”

Her mother folded up her letter and placed it beside her plate. “Are you content to have us call you by your title, sir? It seems rather formal at the breakfast table.”

“Quite right,” he agreed affably. “We are family after all. I’m happy to be Henry, or Hal, whatever you prefer.”

Family? This was a development of enormous significance. Tia had never heard him use the word ‘family’ before. Surely this augured well for her plans for Polly?

The next moment, he spoiled it all by saying, “Although I believe I should call Galatea ‘Miss Wyndham’ in front of Polly. The child needs to respect her elders and betters, at least while Tia remains her teacher.”

At least while Tia remains her teacher . . . What on earth did he mean?

That he intended to send Polly off to the dreaded Academy earlier than planned? Or that Tia might soon be connected with Polly in a different capacity entirely?

If only she hadn’t made that comment about marriage. She was going to have to have a private word with Hal. He needed to explain his cryptic remark.

An explanation she needed, and soon.