“Not at all. The villagers could do with it.” Her expression turned soft as she regarded him. “But I am happiest for you.”
He arched an eyebrow. “For me?”
“Am I wrong in believing you are enjoying Christmas this season?”
“Despite my having a house full of irritating guests I would love to ship back to London in a horse cart and never see again?”
“Yes, despite them,” she said with a gentle laugh. “But I think having them here has made you appreciateus, your local villagers, all the more.”
“Perhaps.” He placed her arm in his. “Come along, Miss Temple. It is cold out here and the streets are still icy. Let’s get you back to the warmth of the vicarage and I shall have a look at your arm.”
When they reached the church where preparations were underway for the big day, she asked if he wished to see their progress.
“No, Ailis. I want to look at you.”
“All right. Another time, then.” They entered the rectory that was the modest home she shared with her uncle. It was a lovely house best described as comfortable and cozy, more than enough to meet their needs but nowhere near as grand as Langford Hall.
He removed his cloak, assisted Ailis with hers, and then settled her on the settee in the drawing room. Instead of taking the chair beside her, he knelt before her.
He merely meant to get close in order to remove her sling and manipulate her arm to test its healing. But Mrs. Curtis, the vicarage’s gem of a housekeeper, happened to walk in at that moment and let out a shriek.
Ailis leaped up, believing the woman had just seen a mouse or some other rodent scrambling behind the settee. “What is it, Mrs. Curtis?”
The duke rose, equally concerned.
“But I saw him, Miss Ailis.”
She frowned. “Was it a mouse?”
“What?” Her housekeeper now appeared as confused as she was. “No, I am speaking of His Grace. He was on bended knee, proposing to you. Was he not? Oh, I knew he loved you. How could he not love our dear Miss Temple?”
Ailis’s mouth gaped open. “You must not spread such a rumor! No, Mrs. Curtis. He was merely about to examine my arm. Dear heaven, what a misunderstanding.”
Surprisingly, the duke did not appear put off by this mistake at all.
In fact, he was quite calm about it, and asked the housekeeper if he might have some tea now that the matter had been cleared up.
Ailis groaned. “How rude of me. I should have offered.”
“Not at all. You did not think I was going to stay beyond a quick check of your arm.”
“But you intend to stay longer?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Are you going to kick me out?”
She smiled. “Not at all. But shouldn’t you get back to your guests?”
“My head will explode if I must be around them a moment longer,” he said, wincing. “Will you be so cruel as to force me back there?”
Mrs. Curtis seemed well pleased. “I’ll fetch the tea. Miss Temple will be delighted to have your company for as long as you wish.”
Once more alone with the duke, Ailis laughed. “That was a close call, Your Grace. What would your diamonds have said if the rumor of your proposing to me had reached their ears?”
“They would have thought I was mad to fall in love with the lady who wore chickens on her head. But we are alone, Ailis. Call me Jonas. After your remarkable appearance at my dinner party the other night, I would say that we are not only equals, but that you are actually my superior, for you bested me that night.”
She felt warmth flow through her. “I’m glad you are not angry about my antics.”
He chuckled. “You made the entire evening worthwhile for me. Butgad. Burn that hat. I spent the night waiting for it to come alive and start laying eggs atop your head.”
