Page 44 of Holly & Folly

He looked at Miss Hollis, wondering if the decision to follow her friend would be noticed—and how she would look upon it.

But Archie and Miss Prescott were meant to be pretending some sort of courtship, were they not? Miss Hollis was enough of an audience to demand it. Or justify it, at least.

Archie rose, and though Miss Hollis seemed to note it, she continued reading. He took the stairs with the lightest feet he could manage, his heart beating faster than the ascent could explain as he stopped a few feet from Miss Prescott and began perusing the titles.

“Dissatisfied with your selection, my lord?” she asked.

“Most certainly.”

She turned to him. “Perhaps I would enjoy it.”

Archie looked at the front of his book and, for the first time, realized the title he had chosen: A Complete Treatise on the Human Bowel and Its Disorders. He cleared his throat, trying to control his amusement. “Do you think so?”

“I am far more open-minded than you suppose,” she said, putting out a peremptory hand.

“By all means, then.” He put the book in her hand and watched as she read the title.

She rolled her lips between her teeth, her eyes flitting to his.

He clasped his hands behind his back and looked at her with polite interest. “Do you think it shall be to your liking?”

“The very topic I have been pondering on recently.”

“Mm. You will no doubt be here until the wee hours of the morning.”

“You may depend upon it. But what will you read? Shall I choose for you?”

He gestured to the shelves to welcome the suggestion.

She tapped her lips with a finger as she browsed the selection, and Archie was momentarily distracted by their shape and perfectly pink hue.

“Yes,” she said, pulling out a title. “This ought to keep you engaged.” She handed it to him.

His gaze held hers as he received the weighty tome. “I am certain you are right.” He looked down.

A Lady's Complete Guide to the Domestic Arts.

He controlled his mouth with effort. “You know me so well, Miss Prescott.”

“Shall we?” She put out a hand, inviting him to lead the way to the stairs.

They shared another look, both trying to maintain sober expressions, and Archie preceded her. “I am anxious to begin. As, I imagine, are you.”

Miss Hollis’s gaze was upon them as they began their descent, and it lingered for a moment before dropping to her book again.

Archie and Miss Prescott resumed their seats and opened their books, sharing a glance before both of them focused their attention on their respective subjects.

Minutes passed.

Then half an hour with only the gentle ticking of the case clock and a dozen shared glances.

They had not verbalized a formal challenge, but instinctively, Archie understood that Miss Prescott was every bit as determined as he not to be the first to break the act.

For what seemed an age, Archie read how to pickle cabbage, air the linens, perform both ornamental and plain needlework, and instruct children in matters of virtue.

He rather thought he had the easier read, as more than once, Miss Prescott’s face screwed up in distaste, making it nearly impossible for him to maintain a studious expression.

It was Miss Hollis who saved them from their self-inflicted torture. With a grand sigh, she closed her book and stood. “I think I shall go to the drawing room. Will you join me, Nell? Or will you remain here?” Her gaze flicked to Archie.