“He did.”
So that was where he’d gone. Leonora turned her body to Dare. “Well, what happened? What did he say?”
Dare’s eyes glinted. “He warned me away from you.”
That Heart . . . “So, nothing new.”
“For most, it would be enough.”
Leonora snorted. “Well, we are not most, or we wouldn’t be sitting with each other at a picnic in the park after those headlines.”
He chuckled. “Right you are. A bold move, certainly. However, some might say that it’s even more concerning.”
“For you, perhaps. Not me.”
“Why me and not you?”
“Youare the rake, I am not. Me being here is normal. Don’t you rakes only venture out at night?” Plus, the two of them sitting together should prove they had nothing to hide.
He leaned onto his other elbow as well. “I’ve never met a woman who played the rake thing as thick as you.”
“I daresay you did that all by yourself.”
He chuckled and rose to shrug out of his jacket, drawing her eyes to his chest. “Can’t argue that.” He tossed the garment aside and resumed his former position, the picture of a handsome lord relaxing in the sun.
“What are you doing? Undressing in public now?” Leonora’s pulse fluttered a tiny bit.
“Shall I scandalize a few mamas?”
“Why not? You are the subject of many a warning to debutantes. I wouldn’t be surprised if they study you in finishing school. Perhaps a lecture entitled ‘How To Spot a Rogue With One Glance.’”
He laughed. “You might benefit from that teaching. Why aren’t you heeding your brother’s warning about me?”
“Listen to him? Dear lord, where would the fun be in that?” She might as well retire from society and live an uneventful life.
“It’s not all about fun.”
“I beg to differ.” Very much so.
He looked over to her. “How so?”
“We only ever have the moment we are living in now, don’t you agree?” Her gaze turned toward the lake. “Tomorrow, we might have nothing.”
“True, but does that mean you must engage with me? Am I that fun?”
She glanced at him. “You don’t think so?”
“I have no denial about who and what I am.”
Which was why she enjoyed his company so much. “But you do know how to have fun,” Leonora said. “That is all that matters.”
“You’re the first woman who has ever called me fun.”
“Then we make quite the pair, for I’m the first woman not seduced by your charms.”
“Ah come, now, not even a little bit?” He waggled his brows at her.
Rogue.
