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“Being allowed to cut something to pieces without appearing unkind,” she said, with a wicked gleam in her eye.

He laughed, and the hat shifted in his hands. “Steady,” she warned, reaching out.

“My apologies.”

She reached to adjust it, her fingers brushing his. Neither of them moved away, and the contact sent a quiet, bright current up his arm. Alexander looked up. Charlotte’s expression had softened. He saw the same warmth he remembered from the bedchamber, and for one foolish moment he thought to lean across the hat and kiss her, his heart hammering against his ribs. A pair of scissors rested in her other hand, the blades glinting in the sunlight. He decided to wait.

“Would you walk with me tomorrow?” he asked instead.

Charlotte considered him, tilted her head, and held her breath. “Where?”

“Somewhere you may tell me everything I am doing wrong without my sister listening.”

“That requires a very long path,” Charlotte said dryly.

“I am prepared,” he said solemnly.

Charlotte laughed again, then caught her lower lip briefly between her teeth, a small, shy gesture that undid him. “Hyde Park,” she said. “At eleven. I have an engagement afterward.”

“Shall I meet you there or escort you from your house?” Alexander asked, his voice rough with relief.

“My house,” she said. “And you may call upon me, Alexander.”

He looked at her more closely, searching her face. “I beg your pardon?”

“When you wish to see me,” Charlotte added, softer now, her gaze steady on his. “You need not wait until we happen to meet over damaged millinery.”

His fingers tightened around the brim, and the hat gave a protesting crackle. “I shall remember,” he said, and meant it with all his heart.

Eleanor returned with a folded letter and stopped in the doorway, one brow raised. “Good heavens,” she said. “You have improved it.”

Alexander looked down at the hat. Charlotte had removed two feathers, half the ribbon, and something resembling a small yellow cabbage, and what remained looked almost respectable. “It could scarcely have deteriorated,” he said.

Charlotte took it from him before Eleanor could retaliate, cradling it in her lap with exaggerated care. “He has been very helpful.”

His sister regarded them both, her eyes narrowing as she speculated. “Has he?”

“Exceedingly,” Charlotte said, with perfect gravity. “He held it while I made all the decisions.”

Eleanor’s mouth curved, slow and satisfied. “A useful arrangement. You should preserve it.”

Charlotte glanced at Alexander, her eyes bright with amusement. “I shall see what can be done,” she said.

Charlotte waited when Alexander arrived the following morning, standing at the gate in a pale gray walking dress. She had her parasol folded over her arm. That alone would have made the outing agreeable. The pleasure in her face as she greeted him, bright and unguarded, made it considerably better. His own smile rose with pleasure.

He offered his arm, and she took it, her fingers resting lightly on his sleeve. They set off along a path shaded by mature trees. Sunlight fell across the gravel. A nursemaid pushed a small carriage farther ahead, humming to its occupant. A couple of elderly gentlemen sat on a bench, seemingly having a serious disagreement about the weather, their canes tapping the ground for emphasis.

Charlotte looked toward them, her lips twitching. “Do you suppose they have been arguing since breakfast?” she asked.

“Possibly since last Thursday,” Alexander said, and a simple, unforced smile tugged at his mouth.

“One admires their devotion,” Charlotte said. Her eyes sparkled, and she pressed her lips together to keep from laughing outright. Her parasol tapped lightly against her skirts.

“Would you prefer a less contentious companion?” he asked, glancing down at her and, to his surprise, finding himself holding his breath for the answer.

“No,” she said, tilting her head up at him as sunlight slid along her cheek. “An agreeable man might become dull.”

Warmth moved through his chest, quick and bright. She had said it lightly, but it landed like a compliment. “I shall endeavor to disagree with you at suitable intervals,” he said, lowering his head toward hers.