“Much better,” he said again.
“Is the entire lesson hair?” she demanded. “I had hoped for something…”
“...complicated?” He shook his head. “There is no need. You require a few tools and practice until they are habits.” He tapped the table with two fingers. “Also: when you are bored,say sowith kindness. ‘Mr. So-and-so, you make an enemy of silence. Shall we attempt a truce?’ The brave will laugh. The dull will go away.”
She stared.
“I cannot say that.”
“You can,” he said. “If you are wearing blue.”
“Stop making colors into sermons.”
“Tell me to stop again.”
“No.”
“Excellent. Refusal looks well on you.” He sobered. “One more exercise. Pretend I have just approached you in the garden after breakfast. You were unkind to Mr. Morton this morning.”
“I was not.”
“Miss Havenford. Do you find the lake as blue as the gossip claims?” he slipped into the role with ease.
She fought a smile.
“I find the gossip exaggerates.”
“As gossip must,” he said. “What would you have it say instead?”
“I cannot say. But perhaps we are both entitled to our own opinions.”
“Keep that,” he said finally. “A suitor will feel privileged to be allowed near a truth said so calmly.”
“You are very quick to declare truths.”
“It saves time. Why fret when the alternative is much swifter?” He rose and stepped around the table to stand beside her chair. “Now, you must stand.”
She stood. The library shifted again, as if the room rearranged itself whenever he changed his mind.
He walked a slow half-circle around her.
“Chin where it is. Shoulders down.” His hand hovered an inch from her back, guiding without contact. “Weight on both feet. Ladies are taught to lean. I prefer you upright. If a man wants you near, let him come to you.”
“I would feel quite scared, as if he poses a threat.”
“An invitation,” he corrected. “Now. Look at me.”
She did. He was too close for comfort. He lifted a hand, and the air between them tightened. She tried hard to keep her breathing from coming out too hard.
“Two heartbeats,” he said quietly. “One. Two.”
“Stop counting,” she whispered.
He smiled without showing his teeth.
“Much better.”
“You say that too often.”