His comings and goings weren’t her business, but—would he go there simply to check up on her cousin? She weighed the idea, testing its possibility. Regardless, it didn’t matter. But if he did find some information, he’d surely share it, wouldn’t he?
“Do you miss teaching?” she asked, belatedly realizing that he was likely going back to Cambridge to participate in something at the university rather than anything to do with her affairs. Scolding herself, she widened her world view beyond herself and her own problems.
“Yes and no.” Quin’s shoulders relaxed, and then he answered her query. “The students can be…unruly at times. But I love the material. History and politics go hand in hand. Naturally the field is varied and constantly shifts, making it an ever-growing study.” His green eyes flashed with delight at he spoke about it, conveying his true love for scholarly pursuits.
Did she feel passionate about something like that? Enough to dwell on its subject matter day and night till she understood it? She frowned, unable to think of anything in particular that captured her so. She enjoyed mathematics and managing the estate, but that wasn’t what she fancied most. Her thoughts flickered back to her plans with Avery. Philanthropy: to benefit the arts, to assist the poor, to do more than just work on her ledgers and count money—but to do something with it that made a difference.
“History isn’t the most exciting subject matter to most,” he said, studying her. Had he interpreted her frown as disinterest?
“I think anything can be fascinating if you are passionate about it.” The curricle hit a rut, and Catherine gripped the side. Quin’s hand had grazed hers when they’d hit the rut, sending shivers through her. “And to have such an inclination to study something as you have is commendable,” she complimented him, swallowing hard as she fought the temptation to feel his touch once more, even fleetingly.
His green eyes held a wealth of intelligence, adding a becoming light to his face. Catherine was unsure how she had missed that before. Her hands tingled, her fingers twitched as if wishing to tip his chin ever so slightly upward to get a fuller view of his countenance, to study that keen awareness in his eyes. His chin arched gracefully to his lips, drawing the eye of the beholder to the masculine beauty of them.
He inclined his head.
Abruptly, she realized she’d been staring. Clenching her hands into fists, she took a long, calming inhale through her nose before speaking. “How long will you be staying in Cambridge?”
“A week. And I would expect my mother will be calling upon you during that time. She’s been asking how you and Lady Greatheart are faring.”
“That is very kind of her.”
They fell into companionable silence, and Catherine studied him from the corner of her eye. Usually the impulse to fill the void in a conversation was overwhelming, but with him it seemed natural, as if they had chosen to enjoy the quiet rather than run out of things to speak about.
“Promise me something?” he murmured softly.
Catherine turned to him, but his attention was ahead on the road. She waited, watching, using the moments to study him once more. Something swirled in her belly, hinting at attraction.
He turned to her, arching a brow.
Forcing herself to meet his regard unabashedly, she raised her own brow as she answered. “I’m not promising anything till I know what you’re asking.”
He spoke in a wry tone. “Very well. Just promise me you’ll not sequester yourself in your rooms and parlors while I’m gone.”
“I wasn’t—”
“Be that as itmay,” he interrupted, “just promise me.”
Catherine narrowed her eyes, then answered, “Very well.”
“See? Was that so difficult?”
“Yes,” she replied.
He rolled his eyes. “Only because you made it that way,” he retorted.
She bit her lip to keep from smiling too widely. “I would never do that…”
“Clearly.”
She giggled softly, the relaxing nature shifting something in her heart, releasing some of the tension she’d been carrying.
“Promise me something?” she asked him, using his words.
He bent forward. “Yes.”
“Yes you’re listening, or yes you promise?”
“Yes.” He shrugged.