He thought of the countless meetings he’d sat through, some lasting days, of the hard-won negotiations, of the endless hours he’d spent traveling to their holdings. “Tell me, Miss Certainty, have you tried it?”

She pursed her lips. “No. I suppose I shouldn’t speak, then.”

“No,” he agreed. “Any more than I should make assumptions about your glasswork.” He hesitated a moment, then added, “Perhaps one day you can show me the glass shop. I wish to see how it all works.”

She shot him an uncertain look. “No one has ever asked me that.”

“Well, I’m curious. Especially after your brother showed me some of your efforts.”

“I could spit on a glass and tell Malcolm it was a lantern shield and he’d think it was the best thing he’d ever seen.”

Devon smiled. “That’s what brothers are for.”

She nodded, her lips curving into a returning smile. For a moment, a simple sort of harmony seemed to build between them. Perhaps it was the cool breeze that kept tugging her dress and fanning the fringes of her hair. Or perhaps it was gradual realization that they were not quite as different as they thought. Whatever it was, Devon found himself lingering, wanting to stay a little longer. And a little longer yet.

Kat scuffed her toe on the ground. “How many brothers do you have, St. John?”

“Four. And a sister.”

Her eyes widened. “That many?”

“My father said we were his army, and indeed our house was often like an army camp.”

She looked at him wistfully, but didn’t say anything.

“You and Malcolm seem unusually close.”

“He’s been a good brother to me.”

“And I’m sure you’ve been a good sister.”

“I try,” she said softly, “though he does so much—” She bit her lip.

“I daresay you do more than you realize.”

A horse could be heard coming down the path. Devon recognized Malcolm the same instant Kat did.

“Blast it,” Devon said with a sigh. “Your brother has an uncanny way of showing up when he’s least wanted.”

“It’s a trait he’s had his whole life,” she replied in a grim voice.

Devon pulled Thunder closer. “I shall see you tomorrow then?”

“At ten,” she agreed.

“Excellent.” He took her hand and placed one last kiss on the back of it.

Kat had to fight a shiver as his lips brushed her skin. Her entire body seemed to tighten whenever he was about, and when he touched her, she had to clench her teeth against a tremor that traced her spine.

“Till tomorrow, Miss Macdonald.” With that, he left her and remounted Thunder.