“If you ask for an opinion, expect to receive one, and don't make fun of it.”

“I’m going to say a word, just for your general opinion and consideration,” he said, his light blue gaze touching hers.“I’m listening.”“Marriage.”Zephyr blinked. Had he actually just suggested a proposal? A marriage? With her? A thousand thoughts all flitted through her mind, none of them making any sense, but several of them centering on whether she was reading too much or too little into one blasted word. “I think”—she stumbled, backing away from him and toward the village—“that if you mean to ask a question, you should ask it. And you shouldn’t make it so stupidly ambiguous just on the chance that a negative response might embarrass you or wound your feelings.”“Is that so?” He stalked after her.“It is so. And another thing. Before you ask such a question, consider giving me—or whoever you intend on asking—a reason to say yes.”

“The animal is making quite a mess,” the butler droned.“Are you referring to the monkey, or to my nephew?” Fennington drawled, strolling into the room.“Hm. How long did you lurk outside the room waiting forthat opportunity?” Bennett asked”

“Yes, it is.” Bennett blew out his breath. “You can’t expect me to…sit in the morning room and chatabout the weather with her mother, and hold her yarn while she knits, and…wait five weeks before Iattempt to hold her hand.”

“For a long moment the butler sat in silence, his jaw hanging open. “I . . . my lord, I simply don't feel qualified to advise you about such matters.”“Don't tell me that,” Saint protested. “Tell me whether you can imagine me as a married man or not.”To his surprise, the butler set aside his brandy snifter and sat forward. “My lord, I do not wish to overstep my bounds, but I have noticed a change in your demeanor of late. The question of whether anyone can imagine you married or not, however, is one I believe must be answered by you. And the lady, of course.”Saint frowned. “Coward.”“There is that, as well.”

“He sighed. “You’ve chosen poorly, you know. When we return to England you’ll be celebrated, just as I will be. If you’ve decided to abandon me, you might have netted someone titled, someone with enough wealth to see you esteemed and me able to continue my botanical studies. That would have been the aim of a dutiful daughter.”“I’m not abandoning you, and I chose Shaw. You’re the one who declined to attend your daughter’s wedding.”“You never used to speak to me like this. A dutiful child would never have accepted a proposal from the first man who asked, simply because he did ask.”“He didn’t propose to me. I proposed to him.”Finally he looked more surprised than angry and frustrated. “You proposed to him?”“Yes, because I didn’t think he believed me when I said that I loved him. I can hardly blame him, since I had to think about it for an entire day after he said it to me, but I do love him. More than I can articulate to you.”

“Did you hear that?” the duke asked with a wide grin, turning to Dare. “She said 'papa.'“The viscount returned the candy dish and tea tray to the relocated end table. “I distinctly heard'baboon.'““Hm, well, you're distinctly deaf.”