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on something frivolous.”
    “ To you, perhaps,” he allowed. “To me, it's not so frivolous.”
    “ Why's that?”
    He stretched his legs out and casually crossed his ankles, simultaneously willing the butler to announce dinner before he revealed too much. “I find it curious you're not with Louise and Hampton in London.”
    Emma's long, slender fingers pinched the fabric of her skirt so tightly that when she let it go, she'd left dozens of little creases in her skirt. “I just decided I needed some time away.” Her tone gave nothing away. Unfortunately for her, her stiff body language gave away enough.
    “ Emma,” he said slowly, softly. “Does your need for time away have anything to do with your sudden interest in becoming a governess?”
    Her green eyes sparkled, and not in a good way. “Please, leave it alone, Marcus.” Her voice could only be described as a harsh whisper.
    “ All right. But please remember if you need anything, you can come to me.” He'd told her as much earlier, but he knew his words had been in vain. He'd have to tell her again and again with the hope that eventually it would take root in that thick head of hers.
    She didn't acknowledge his offer of help, not that he'd expected her to. Instead, she glanced down to inspect the hem of her gown and sat quietly until Chapman came in to announce dinner.
    Standing, Marcus offered her his arm. “May I escort you down?”
    “ Always.” Emma lightly placed her fingertips in the crook of his proffered arm. “It smells good,” she commented as they neared the dining room.
    He inhaled. “Yes, it does. Although, after our tea this afternoon, I'll be cautious about what I drink tonight.”
    “ How could she possibly ruin lemonade?”
    “ Trust me, she could.”
    “ Do you know this from experience?”
    “ Yes. As the bitter tea we had this afternoon can attest, she's fairly new to the trade of cooking. I don't think her former employer asked her to do much besides make biscuits, roasted chicken, kippers, and coddled eggs. I'd wager our dinner will have all four of those dishes. Oh, and custard with a strawberry on top for dessert.”
    She eyed him askance. “That's not what you ordered, is it?”
    “ No. But I ordered her to make the best meal she could. And since those are the only dishes she can make that are decent, I wager that's what we'll be eating.”
    “ All right, my lord, I'll take your wager,” she said cheekily. “I honestly doubt she'll be serving biscuits and coddled eggs at dinner.”
    Marcus stopped walking. “And what shall we wager?”
    “ What can you stand to lose?” she asked, grinning.
    “ What do you want?”
    She twisted her lips and tapped a long, slender finger against her cheek. “I don't know,” she admitted at last.
    “ Would you like a new gown?”
    Her green eyes went wide like he knew they would. “No! Nothing so valuable.”
    “ Why not?”
    “ I have nothing nearly as valuable to offer you,” she explained, breaking eye contact.
    He placed his free hand under her chin and tipped it up toward him. “Does that matter? You seem confident you're not going to lose, so wager anything you wouldn't mind giving me.”
    “ I don't have anything,” she said with a hard swallow.
    In her eyes, he read the truth. Something terrible had happened between her and Louise, and she truly had no real possessions. None of the tangible variety, anyway. That must be why she was so willing to accept a gown from him, even if it was the furthest thing from proper for an unmarried lady to accept such a gift from a man who wasn’t her father, brother, or protector.
    “ What of a kiss?” he asked suddenly, the tips of his ears burning as unease settled over him. She'd never be willing to kiss him. He was a fool to have asked. “Never mind,” he mumbled, trying to hide his slip. “Just forget the whole thing. I forfeit. Tomorrow, I'll send for the village seamstress.”
    “ No,” she said adamantly, shaking her