“There’s always the floor,” he commented, smirking.
“Or I can simply stab you with my fork if you get any ideas,” she snapped, choosing a chair on the opposite end of the table.
“I have a scar from the last time you tried that.”
“I didn’t try. I succeeded. And you were trying to steal my bacon.”
“I forgot… never get between a hag and her prey.”
“Never get between a lady and her breakfast.”
He held up his hand, palm inward, displaying the three tine scars as if to prove her point.
“Nice to know you’re capable of learning something in your old age.”
“Ah, what’s your excuse then?”
“Intelligence needs no excuses.”
“Pity you don’t possess either.”
“May I eat, please? Or are you wanting to verbally spar all day? While you might have nothing better to do with your time, I find that I’m not challenged, interested, or amused by your ill attempts at wit.” She lifted a piece of bacon and bit, glaring.
“If my attempts are so futile…” He lifted his plate and teacup, rose from his chair and walked around the table toward her. “…then why rise to the occasion with a reply?”
Her eyes narrowed, her chewing slowed.
He sat.
Right beside her.
A dangerous gleam illuminated her gaze, and she lifted her fork.
“Needless assault? I didn’t think even you would stoop so low.” He lifted a forkful of eggs to his mouth and chewed, trying to appear unaffected yet prudence told him to remain cautious.
“Self-defense,” she retorted, but lowered her fork. She calmly spread jam on her toast and took a bite.
“I thought you understood… after last night.” He leaned inward slightly, trying not to chuckle at her quick gasp. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
Her head spun to face him, her eyes drew together and became mere slits.
That was a common reaction around him.
Yet all he could notice was the slight smear of apricot jam at the corner of her lip. Tasty, sweet, it was a distraction that could prove dangerous.
“Why you—”
He silenced her mouth with his own, removing every trace of delicious jam from her lips then retreated slightly. “Are delightful,” he finished for her then faced his own meal.
“Not what I was going to say.” Her tone was breathy, shocked. “You mustn’t do such things,” she scolded, yet even from the corner of his eye he could see the rosy hue of her cheeks.
“Why?” he asked, taking a sip of his now tepid tea.
“Because…” She took a deep breath. “While the little war we have is a game…”
He turned to face her, noticing how she wrung her hands in her lap. ”Love… affection… is not.”
“And you think I’m simply changing the strategy of the war?” He leaned in slightly, reaching over and stilling the incessant movement of her hands.
“I think you’re capable of trying anything to win,” she answered, her eyes steely.
“Meredith!” Louisa’s voice preceded her entrance in the breakfast room. Meredith pulled from his hold and stood, walking to the sideboard, leaving him brewing with irritation at her comment and burning with the desire to kiss her once more.
Damn woman, she was a devastation of emotion and he was not the type to enjoy so many sensations!
“Meredith! Did you hear?” She came into the room, her eyes focusing on Lucas and glaring. “You,” she sneered and walked to where her sister waited.
“Hear what?” Meredith asked, ignoring Lucas.
“Tonight we are going to have a party in the maze! The Duchess of Ashbury will have a frost-themed dinner, and the maze will be lit with torches! Do you remember the last time she did that? It was so diverting! I simply cannot wait! Will you be my partner?”
“Partner?”
“Yes, we need partners for the game!” Louisa took her sister’s hand.
“I’m afraid your sister cannot be your partner, Miss Bright,” Lucas interrupted just as he saw Meredith’s lips start to move.
Louisa turned to shoot him an annoyed glare.
“It’s true. My mother has all the teams set up as couples. Already she informed me that my brothers and I will be teaming up with you and your sisters. I do hope you are able to control yourselves for one evening. My mother has assured me that you’ve… matured since our last encounter. So you see, Miss Meredith is my partner for the challenge.” He gave her his best wolfish grin.
“I heard nothing of the sort when I was speaking with your mother.” Louisa placed a hand on her hip.
“Nor I,” Meredith added.
“She informed me, I’m informing you. Simple as that.” He shrugged, hoping they didn’t see through his quickly thought lie.
“I don’t believe you,” Louisa confronted him.
“You don’t need to. Simply ask my mother once she is up and about this lovely morning. Now. If you two ladies will excuse me.” He stood and bowed, watching with glee the shocked expression on the two sisters’ faces at his manner toward them, and turned and left.