“I think you’re forgetting something.”
He rounded. “What’s that?”
“You need true love and you must change. See? Here it says,If true love they findand thenChanged.”
“True love? How am I supposed to find true love?” He raked a hand through his hair. “Let’s go over it all again. There must be something I’m missing.”
But no matter how many times they reviewed the curse and the fragment of the counter-spell, Henry didn’t see a way forward. Finally, he threw his arms out. “We’ve been going over this for hours. There’s no time for me to search the libraryfor clues about the land in France tonight. What must I do to convince you to allow me to return tomorrow night?”
She pressed her lips together, considering. “You might help me with one of the tenants.”
“Katie.” Henry groaned. “I took you to Dunwich and helped you confront Gillett. Isn’t that enough?”
She rose and gave him a sweet smile. “No. If you don’t want to help, then I can’t force you. You may see yourself out.” She moved toward the door to the library, calling over her shoulder, “Though the counter-spell did say you must change.”
Henry took two steps and caught her wrist, spinning her back around. “Fine. I’ll change. I’ll be a do-gooder. Which tenants, and when should we meet?”
“The Robins family on the other side of the slough. I haven’t met them before, but my maid said she heard they lost their lean-to in the recent rains. They have nowhere to shelter their animals.”
“And what am I supposed to do about it? What do I know about repairing lean-tos?”
“About as much as I know. But you can lend support. Surely those big muscles of yours are good for something other than climbing onto roofs.” She reached up and stroked his bicep. Henry felt a flicker of heat in his belly.
“You think I have big muscles?”
Her eyes widened as though she realized what she’d said. “Bigger than mine.”
He took a step closer. “What else do you like about me? Besides the fact that I’m unmarried and can act as a pawn in your scheme to escape your father?”
She shrugged. “That’s the extent of it, really.”
“There’s nothing else about me you like? Nothing else you find remotely laudable?”
“No.”
He ran a hand up her arm and back down again. “Not even one thing?” He held her arm lightly and tugged her closer. She didn’t resist.
“Perhaps I can think of one thing.” She closed her eyes as though waiting for his kiss. He didn’t comply. After ten seconds, her eyes opened. “You want me to say it.”
“Most definitely.” He slid his hand around her waist to rest on her lower back. “Tell me, Katie, what else do you like about me?”
“You have nice eyes.”
His brows went up. “Really? You have nice eyes too.”
“I have brown eyes. Yours are blue or sometimes green. They’re quite unique and beautiful.”
“My eyes have graduated fromnicetobeautiful.” He exerted gentle pressure on her back until she was flush against him. “I think your eyes are beautiful. I’m jealous of those lashes.”
“You’d look ridiculous with my lashes.”
“Mmm-hmm.” He touched his nose to hers, nuzzling her. “Anything else about me you like? Besides my big muscles and beautiful eyes?”
“No.”
Henry pulled back. “I’ll be on my way, then.”
She grabbed his neckcloth and pulled him close. “I forgot that there’s one more thing.”
