“I know. Lonsdale called on me. He is worried about Caroline.”
“Spying for my brother, are you?”
“I have better things to do with my time than to spy.”
She grinned at him. “Such as sow your youthful oats?”
His gaze whipped to her, equal parts horror and astonishment. “Christ, Rebecca. You cannot say such things!”
“Why not? I heard Lady Chestbury mention Lord Haywood is still sowing his wild oats which is why he is not actively looking for a wife. You aren’t actively looking for a wife, so I gathered you must be sowing these oats as well.”
“Bloody hell,” Wolfstan barked out. “That’s beside the point.Youshould not be saying such things!”
“Why? Does it not mean merrymaking?” Her eyes widened. “It does not, does it?”
“No. It does not.”
Rebecca laughed. “What does it mean then?”
“Nothing I care to speak about.”
“Oh?”
“Rebecca.”
“Settle down. I am only teasing. And it’s hard not to hear about things when I have ears. It is one of the perks of being inappreciable.”
“You arenotinappreciable.”
“I’m a wallflower, ergo of no account.”
“You do not behave like any wallflower I’ve ever met.”
“That is because you have known me all my life. Which is why I am allowed to mercifully tease you.”
“It’s also impolite—”
“To tease you?”
“About topics such as the one you are teasing about, yes,” he all but growled.
“Are you truly going to leave me in the dark about its meaning?”
“Yes.”
“You are no fun.” Rebecca pouted. “I thought we would be able to speak about such things.”
“Not that.”
“Very well. You have no topics you wish to tease me about?”
He swiveled, and Rebecca nearly stepped into his chest. She stopped in time and craned her neck to stare up at him. Lawd, had he always been this tall?
His gaze delved into hers as he asked, “Are you in love with Langley?”
Startled, Rebecca took a step back. “Why would you ask me that?”
“Can we not speak about such things?” he tossed back at her, brows raised.
