Free A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

aren’t you still abed?”
    â€œI’m an early riser.” Hannah decided to throw the audacious inquiry right back at him. “Why aren’t you?”
    A playful glint shone in his eyes. “There’s no point in lingering in bed when I’m alone.”
    She glanced at their surroundings to make certain none of the children could overhear. The imps had tired of their game and were filing inside the house through doors that led to the main hall. “I suspect that is a rare occurrence, Mr. Bowman.”
    His bland tone disguised all sincerity. “Rare, yes. Most of the time my bed is busier than a sheepfold at spring shearing.”
    Hannah viewed him with patent distaste. “That doesn’t speak well of the women you associate with. Or of you for being so indiscriminate.”
    â€œI’m not indiscriminate. It just so happens that I’m good at finding women who meet my high standards. And I’m even better at persuading them to come to my bed.”
    â€œAnd then you fleece them.”
    A rueful smile crossed his lips. “If you don’t mind, Miss Appleton, I want to retract my sheep analogy. It’s becoming disagreeable even to me. Would you like to take a morning stroll?”
    She shook her head in puzzlement. “With you?…Why?”
    â€œYou’re wearing a walking dress and boots. And I assume you want to find out what my opinion of Lady Natalie is. Keep your enemy close, and so forth.”
    â€œI already know what your opinion of Lady Natalie is.”
    His brows lifted. “Do you? Now I insist that we walk together. I’m always fascinated to hear my opinions.”
    Hannah considered him sternly. “Very well,” she said. “First I’ll take the teacup in, and—”
    â€œLeave it.”
    â€œOn an outside table? No, someone will have to tidy up.”
    â€œYes. That someone is called a servant. Who, unlike you, will get a salary for it.”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean I should make more work for someone else.”
    Before she could retrieve the cup, Bowman had taken it up. “I’ll take care of it.”
    Hannah’s eyes widened as she saw him stroll nonchalantly to the stone balustrade. And she gasped as he held the teacup over the side and dropped it. A splintering crash sounded from below.
    â€œThere,” he said casually. “Problem solved.”
    It required three attempts until Hannah could finally speak. “Why did you do that? I could easily have carried it inside!”
    He seemed amused by her astonishment. “I would have thought my lack of concern for material possessions would please you.”
    Hannah stared at him as if he had just sprouted horns. “I wouldn’t call that a lack of concern for material possessions, but rather a lack of respect for them. And that’s every bit as bad as overvaluing them.”
    Bowman’s smile faded as he comprehended the extent of her ire. “Miss Appleton, Stony Cross Manor has at least ten different sets of china, each one with enough teacups to help caffeinate all of Hampshire. They’re not lacking for cups here.”
    â€œThat makes no difference. You shouldn’t have broken it.”
    Bowman gave a sardonic snort. “Have you always had such a passion for porcelain, Miss Appleton?”
    Without a doubt, he was the most insufferable man she had ever encountered. “I’m sure you’ll consider it a failing that I’m not amused by wanton destruction.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure,” he returned smoothly, “that you’ll use this as an excuse to avoid walking with me.”
    Hannah contemplated him for a moment. She knew that he was annoyed with her for placing such importance on the loss of a small item of china that would make no difference in the scheme of things. But it had been the boorish gesture of a rich man, deliberately destroying something for no reason.
    Bowman was