Worrying that Kincade had noticed her disquiet, she cast a sideways glance at him as he moved to take his own seat. CC was relieved to find that he seemed totally unaware of the fact that his nearness had sent her senses reeling, and she breathed a little easier. What in the world was wrong with her? she berated herself as she tried to resist the feelings that were flooding through her.

Though he gave no outward indication, Noah was irritated as he took his seat opposite CC at the table. He had felt her sudden tenseness as he’d guided her to her chair and he wondered if the dislike she had for him truly ran so deep that a simple touch could affect her so. The thought irked him more than he was willing to admit. Not that he cared. However, it was just that women had always found him attractive, and the idea that CC, a simple colonial, thought him less than desirable was annoying.

Edward had stood back and allowed Noah and CC to lead the way into the dining room. His eyes were shining with pride as he watched them walk ahead of him, and he couldn’t help but admire the handsome couple they made. The idea of a match between them suddenly occurred to him, and the thought was not without merit, he decided. Kincade was pleasant enough, and the possibility of his daughter marrying a wealthy aristocrat pleased him immensely. He knew that if he could arrange a marriage between them, he would have done his best for CC. Still, Edward wondered in dismay how he could possibly encourage it when CC had already ardently proclaimed her dislike of all English noblemen. It was a tricky situation, and he realized that he would have to use the utmost discretion in whatever he tried to do. Hurrying forth, he joined them at the table and set about to enjoy the repast.

“So tell us of your home in England,” Edward invited as the servants set the main course before them some time later. “You have family there, of course?”

“Actually, no. My younger brother Matthew is my only family, and he traveled with me this trip.”

“He’s here in Boston? We could have sent the carriage for him…”

“He knew that I was coming here on business and that there was a possibility I would be delayed,” Noah explained. “So I told him before I left the inn to avail himself of the services there.”

“Perhaps another time then?”

“Of course,”

CC was paying little attention to their small talk as she sat at the table opposite Noah. The titillation of his touch had left her disturbed and distracted, and she was still wondering, in some confusion, why she had reacted the way she had. What was there about this man that he had the power to unsettle her with such a simple touch? Surely, CC tried to rationalize, it was only because Kincade was handsome, and nothing else. But even as she made the effort to convince herself of that, she knew that she had been with good-looking men before and had never experienced any reaction like this. Finally, unable to find a logical answer, she determinedly put all thoughts of it from her and busied herself with the meal.

“We’re having a formal ball on Friday evening, and we’d be honored to have both you and your brother attend,” Edward invited.

“It’s most kind of you to include us, Edward,” Noah replied graciously, hoping that the rebels he needed to meet with did not hold their next meeting that night.

“Then you’ll come?”

“Matthew and I would be delighted.”

“That’s wonderful.” Edward smiled widely as he glanced at CC. She had been quiet during the dinner, too quiet, and he wanted to bring her into the conversation. “Don’t you agree, CC?”

“Oh, definitely, Father.” CC forced a smile as she looked up. She fought to keep her expression pleasant, but when her gaze unwittingly locked with Noah’s, she couldn’t hide the irritation she felt at knowing that he would be in attendance Friday night. Thank heaven she had John! At least with him as her escort, she would be able to avoid Kincade as much as possible.

Noah saw the flicker of annoyance in CC’s face, and his eyes narrowed as he regarded her coldly. CC found herself staring into his impenetrable silvered gaze. Though she was unnerved by the complete lack of warmth in his mirrored regard, she held his eyes levelly, breaking away only when the sound of her father’s voice broke the mood.

“Good, good,” Edward was saying cheerfully. He had been so absorbed in his food that he had missed the sudden tension between them.

Desperate for something to say to prove to him that she had not been affected by his frigid glare, CC asked, “How old is your brother, Lord Kincade?”

“Matthew is seventeen, although he’ll be the first to tell you that he’ll be eighteen within the month,” Noah smiled.

It was the first time that CC had seen him smile, and the transformation in him was nothing short of amazing. His features before had been so cruelly arrogant, so set and hard. Yet when he smiled, he seemed a different man. His whole countenance had been softened by the power of that one gesture, and she wondered distractedly what it would be like if he ever smiled at her that way.

Her musings were interrupted then as the dessert was served, and when they’d eaten their fill of the chef’s creamy concoction, they retired to the parlor to savor an after-dinner drink.

CC wanted nothing more than to retire to her room, to get away from Kincade’s disturbing presence, but she knew she had no good reason to go to her chambers early. She had to remain and help entertain her father’s guest.

“The dinner was delicious, Edward,” Noah complimented as he accepted a snifter of brandy from his host. “Extend my best to your chef. He’s a talented fellow.”

“Indeed he is. I’m most fortunate to have him in my employ,” Edward agreed as he presented CC with her liqueur before seating himself beside her on the sofa. “You’ll have to come to dinner often. We’d be delighted to have you.”

Noah sipped casually of his brandy. “Your hospitality is most welcome. I appreciate it.”

CC almost choked on her liqueur at her father’s open-ended invitation. That would be all she’d need…Lord Kincade to dinner regularly. It took all her willpower not to show her displeasure at the prospect.

They chatted idly for a while, Noah filling Edward in on things back in England, and he, in turn, describing the pleasures of life in Boston.

“Tell me of the political scene,” Noah ventured, wanting his opinion on what he’d heard the day before. “Yesterday at the inn, Matthew and I overheard a conversation between two merchants regarding unrest here. Is there any truth to the talk?”

“I’m afraid there is some truth to it.”

“Oh? What’s the problem?”

“The troublemakers are nothing but blithering idiots! That’s the problem,” he told him heatedly.

“Who are they?” His question was mildly put, a mere request from someone who wanted to know what was going on.

“The refuse of the earth,” Edward snorted in disgust.

“Is it true that they want independence from the king?” Noah tried to sound incredulous.

“They’re always trying to stir up trouble, but this time they’re going too far. It won’t work. We’re loyal here. Have no doubt about that.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt your loyalty to the Crown, Edward. I was just trying to understand why anyone would want to break away.”

“I don’t understand it.” He took a drink of his brandy. “It seems outrageously drastic to me to scream for independence over a simple tax on tea. There have been arguments in Parliament before over taxes. I’m sure there always will be.”

CC tensed as her father tried to dismiss as unworthy the grievances of the dissenters.

“Indeed?”

“The agitators have been stirring mobs to action. They’re trying to encourage an open rebellion against the king, but it won’t work. This stupid tax on tea they’re complaining about is negligible, and this argument that England now holds a monopoly on the tea trade is a most ridiculous complaint…”