Leaning forward, he put his elbows on his knees and stared at the drink in his hand. The liquid was nearly the color of Alice’s eyes. He dropped his guard and let his thoughts run free. “I like a woman’s smile. Her laugh. Someone who makes me laugh, as well. A sense of confidence, that she is competent and interested in more than just gossip and fashion.” He took a breath. “I like . . . kindness. To see that she’s worried about others, not just herself. She must be able to hold a conversation. And I’d want her to be smart, smarter than me. Which isn’t difficult, granted—” He snapped his jaw shut. His throat tingled with irritation, an overwhelming panic that he’d exposed too much.

Alice stared at him in a way he couldn’t decipher, but it seemed like a mixture of pity and fascination. Definitely exposed too much.

After taking a long drink, he offered her his best seductive grin. “Did I mention long legs? And breasts definitely bear repeating.”

She took another small sip from her glass, then licked her lips with a provocative swipe of her tongue. No grimace this time, which felt like a minor victory. She tapped her finger on the side of the crystal. “Your expectations seem very high. Is that why you haven’t yet married?”

“I am a scoundrel, dear Alice. That is why I haven’t married.”

“So, no need to limit yourself to merely one.”

“Indeed.” He crossed his legs and settled deeper into the chair. “There is a whole world full of beautiful women out there—and I have no need of a dowry.”

There was that look in her eye again, the one he didn’t care for. “What about companionship?”

Why was the little innocent intent on turning this around on him? Kit’s fingers tightened around his glass. “I have companionship any time I want. I can companionship every damn night, if I feel like it.”

She cocked her head and he could practically hear her thinking. This first lesson had taken an unexpected turn—and he wasn’t sure he liked it. He stood. “That’s enough for tonight. We’ll pick this up tomorrow.”

He half expected her to argue, but she merely nodded and set down her glass. “I will see you in the morning, then.”

They walked to the door. He peeked into the corridor to ensure it was safe. “Completely empty. Off you go.”

She started to leave, but then paused. “Kit, forgive me. I have no right to question how you live your life.”

The apology stunned him. For a supposedly shy woman, she had no trouble speaking her mind. And now he felt even worse, like he’d ruined the night with his prickly insecurities. “You have nothing for which to apologize. It’s been a long day and I am unnecessarily irritable. I am sorry.”