“For the most part, people like to talk about themselves. Whenever I am at a loss for words, I inquire about them, what they did that day or what they plan to do that night. Their likes and dislikes. Hopes and dreams.”

“And they don’t feel as if you’re prying? My mother says invading someone’s privacy is rude.”

“There’s no law forcing them to answer. However, I find most people are self-centered. They will leap at any opportunity to discuss themselves.”

“Even you?”

“Oh, especially me. I am more self-involved than nearly anyone on earth.” After all, wasn’t that what Father had said, that Kit’s thoughts centered only on himself and nothing else?

You’re as shallow as a saucer, Christopher.

It had been a frequent refrain in the Ward household, like any time Kit smoothed his hair in a mirror or took pride in his clothing. When he bounced from activity to activity, eschewing church and schoolwork to make the girls laugh instead. His father never failed to comment on it, and Kit came to hate him.

Mostly because he feared his father’s words might hold some truth.

Kit threw back the rest of the bourbon in his glass and stood to refill it. “One question down. This is going well, I think.” When he returned to his seat, he glanced at her paper. “Next question. What do men find attractive about women? Well, that varies with each man you ask.”

“In general,” she blurted, her color rising once more. “Or you. We can use you as an example.”

“Me?” He rubbed his jaw. “Well, there is the obvious, like breasts. Any size, any shape, will do.” She opened her mouth, probably to complain about his banal but true answer, so he held up a hand. “Beyond that, I like eyes. There’s nothing more powerful than when a woman stares at you from across the room like you are the only person who matters.”

Alice quirked a brow like she didn’t believe him and he felt his skin grow warm. Was she disappointed in his answer? “Is that all? Bosoms and eyes?”

Yes, definitely disappointed. The old humiliation, the feeling that he wasn’t smart enough in the things that mattered, crawled along his neck. Show her you are more than a thoughtless clod.