Page 9

“I suspect that principle has led you into difficulties before,” she replied coolly.

“Repeatedly.”

Edward laughed outright.

“You have arrived earlier than expected, Baines. Simmons will have your room prepared.”

“I beg your pardon. ‘Tis an unfortunate consequence of military habits. Armies become peevish when idle.”

“And yet house-party guests are generally given to cultivate lateness deliberately.”

“Then I shall endeavour to accommodate your habits, ma’am.”

Again the answer arrived too smoothly, too quickly, and with entirely too much charm. His ease was genuine enough to convince most people. No man survived war retaining that degree of awareness unless habit—or danger—required it.

“Did you have a long journey?” she asked.

“Long enough to reconsider every poor decision of my life.”

“That must have delayed you considerably.”

Baines looked delighted. “Oh, excellent,” he said softly.

Judith lifted one brow. “Did Colonel Renforth not warn you against provoking strangers?”

“He warned me against speaking in general.”

“Yet you persist in doing so, I see.”

“I have often been accused of bravery.”

“Recklessness and bravery are cousins, sir. One should distinguish them carefully.”

“Should one?”

His eyes held hers a fraction too long. Up close, they were a russet colour, Judith noticed unexpectedly, and not a soft russet either. They were warm, earthy, masculine and laughing. There was danger in men who looked amused by life. They generally treated consequences as negotiable.

When he later returned downstairs, he had taken the time to bathe and change into a dark green waistcoat and superbly tailored coat, worn with irritating naturalness. Some men looked overdressed by intention. Major Baines looked elegant by instinct. Beneath the charm, he also looked tired. She saw it only briefly before amusement covered it again.

“You disapprove of me already,” he observed pleasantly.

Judith lifted her chin. “Do I?”

He raised a knowing eyebrow.

“That is a remarkably efficient deduction from such a short acquaintance.”

“I value efficiency in others because I possess so little myself.”

She did not believe that to be entirely true. Deliberate carelessness clung to him like expensive cologne. Judith had known men before who cultivated disorder because Society forgave charming incompetence more readily than serious intelligence.

“I trust that Sir Lionel remains willing to receive early arrivals.”

“My uncle would invite highwaymen to dinner if they complimented the wine.”

“Then I shall endeavour to appear criminally charming.”

“You appear experienced already.”