Harriet’s was bright and openhearted.
She smiled with her eyes and her beautiful lips, and he felt all of her heart going into that expression of happiness.
Beatrice held back.
No dazzle in her eyes.
No wide arc of her lips.
He thought her reticence was a shame, for she was in contention as a wife prospect. Having passed the orange peel test and now the breakfast conversation test put her in the lead as of now.
However, she did not appear to be particularly enamored of him.
Was it merely shyness on her part?
There was no fault in being cautious in one’s friendships.
In fact, he considered it prudent to tread carefully.
He thought it showed common sense on her part.
Yet, she appeared undecided about liking him. How difficult a decision was it to make? Perhaps he was making too much of her reluctance.
All the others were throwing themselves at him, and he did not like that at all.
But he couldn’t have it both ways.
It was not fair of him to dismiss the debutantes who overtly sought to gain his favor while also being irritated with the ones who held back.
Lady Beatrice was the only one who held back, and could not Harriet help him with her situation?
Would Harriet be indignant if he asked her to strike up a conversation with Lady Beatrice? Harmless, really.
All she had to do was find out what Lady Beatrice really thought of him.
It would not be considered spying, would it?
CHAPTER FIVE
HARRIET HAD TAKENseveral hours to finish altering two of the dowager duchess’s gowns. The work was detailed and left her stiff while hunched over her sewing, so she decided to take a moment to stroll to the pond for a much needed stretch of her legs and ease of her aching back.
Since the duke and his guests were on the terrace enjoying the light breeze as they had their afternoon tea and cakes, she avoided them by darting through the conservatory and onto a nearby wooded lane. She hadn’t walked far before the duke caught up to her. “Is something wrong, Your Grace?”
He was frowning. “No, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
She tried not to wince as she smiled at him. “Of course, if I can help.”
“Before you berate me, Harry…let me just say that I have tried my best to like these ladies.”
Dear heaven.
Now she tried not to burst out laughing.
He seemed so painfully sincere.
“I see,” she said, coaxing him to continue. “You have tried, and?”
The sun shone down on them and felt quite strong even while they stood under the artfully designed row of shade trees that protected the lane from the relentless afternoon heat.
