the theory properly we need more than one subject.’
Both Miss Forrester and Hart stared at him.
‘You want me to remove my coat?’
‘It was your idea,’ Miss Forrester pointed out.
‘His Grace never does anything improper,’ Hart muttered, refilling Miss Forrester’s glass.
* * *
Katrina thought that Julian had done nothing but act improperly with her since the moment they’d met. However, she was not about to voice that thought. She had seen men in their shirtsleeves before. Why was the mere thought of Julian in his making her feel different? Suddenly she was very eager to see him remove his coat.
He looked over at her. ‘What is your opinion on the matter, Miss Vandenberg? It is your question we are addressing.’
She rubbed her lips. ‘Hartwick in his shirtsleeves is having no effect on me. I suppose if we are to be scientific on the matter we need you to remove your coat as well.’
He smiled at her and her stomach flipped. ‘I am glad to hear he has no effect on you.’
‘Yes, yes...we know. I have no effect on the ladies,’ Hart said impatiently, with a wave of his hand. ‘Just take your damn coat off.’
‘Tut-tut, Hartwick. There is no need to resort to such language,’ Sarah said in amusement.
‘Very well,’ Julian said.
Reluctantly, he stood and removed his coat.
The air left her lungs as she watched his brown coat fall away, revealing a broad chest behind his yellow waistcoat and a pair of strong, curved shoulders. Maybe the English were correct. Maybe women should not see men in their shirtsleeves.
‘I am sorry,’ Sarah said. ‘It appears we still have no answer as to why men need to remain in their coat-tails.’
‘Wait, Miss Forrester,’ Hartwick said slowly. ‘Miss Vandenberg hasn’t given us her opinion.’
What could she say? Could you remove your waistcoat and shirt as well?
She scratched the back of her neck and bit her lip. ‘You look very nice without your coat.’
He looked triumphantly at his friend.
‘Just because she gave you a compliment it doesn’t mean you look better than I do. Miss Vandenberg is being polite and doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.’
‘This is not a comparison of who looks better, Hartwick,’ Sarah said. ‘We are trying to determine if seeing a man in his shirtsleeves causes us to act irrationally.’
‘Are you sure, Miss Forrester, that you have no desire to act the least bit irrationally?’ Hartwick asked, wiggling his brows.
‘No, Hartwick. I have no desire to do so at all.’
Katrina shifted her gaze to Julian’s yellow silk waistcoat and bit her thumb. She had a longing to slide her hands over his firm chest to his broad shoulders. Her gaze edged to those inviting lips of his...
‘I have already showed you the view of the river, have I not, Miss Forrester?’ Hartwick called out.
‘Yes, but I suppose one can never fully appreciate such a lovely view unless one sees it for a second time.’
Julian was staring at Katrina, making her feel incredibly warm.
‘We can hear you,’ he bit out.
Sarah laughed, and Hartwick cleared his throat. ‘Would you like us to leave the two of you alone?’ he asked.
‘That would be highly improper, Hartwick,’ Sarah said, ‘since His Grace is in his shirtsleeves.’
‘Sarah! Honestly...’ chided Katrina, narrowing her eyes at her friend.
Julian turned to Hartwick. ‘So when I finally do something improper this is how you react?’
Hartwick raised his hands in surrender. ‘We are only trying to be accommodating. So, I think we have determined the reason why it’s improper for men to be seen in their shirtsleeves by ladies.’
Katrina turned to Hartwick. ‘No, we have not. Sarah and I are completely composed.’
‘Well, I am anyway,’ muttered her traitorous friend.
‘What other rules can we test today?’ asked Hartwick eagerly. ‘Is there some article of clothing you are not supposed to remove in our presence? I am open to suggestions.’
‘You rake!’ replied Katrina, laughing. ‘Are you trying to get us to show you our ankles?’
‘Your hair,’ Julian said suddenly.
All three turned to him, and he shrugged.
‘A lady’s hair is usually pinned up.’
Hartwick sat up. ‘That’s the spirit. We are in our shirtsleeves and you owe us a boon. I think Julian has a fine idea. You ladies should take down your hair and Julian and I will see if we can resist you.’
Sarah eyed Hartwick. ‘Suppose you lose your senses and your over-amorous nature overcomes you?’
‘That’s what Julian is here for. He is forever proper.’
‘He is sitting here in his shirtsleeves,’ Katrina pointed out sceptically as she eyed him up and down.
‘Oh, please... He has so much restraint that even if his life depended on it he would never touch you. He is the epitome of the proper English aristocrat,’ Hartwick said, with sarcasm in his voice.
Julian turned to his friend. ‘You speak as if being responsible and acting honourably is a bad thing. Maybe you would find yourself in less trouble if you tried it.’
Katrina peered through the lowest hanging branches towards Sarah’s barouche. ‘What do you think the footmen will say if they see us like this?’
‘Do not fret. No one can see us,’ replied Hartwick as he chewed on a long piece of grass.
‘Why do I believe you have said that before?’ Katrina muttered.
‘Why, Miss Vandenberg, I am offended,’ Hartwick said, bringing his hand to his chest. ‘I think there is a bit of fire in you.’
She turned to Julian. ‘Was that a compliment?’
The enticing man with the broad shoulders shrugged. ‘It’s difficult to tell.’
‘Of course it was a compliment. A lady with a bit of fire in her is much more enjoyable than a milksop.’
‘You thought I was a milksop?’
‘No. As I said, you have a bit of fire in you. Miss Forrester, on the other hand, is infinitely boring.’
