An indefinable expression flickered in his gaze. “I have already informed you, Southby, of the capacity in which your presence will be allowed here. Did you somehow misinterpret my meaning or fail to convey this to your father?”
“I did not.” Jules met his gaze without flinching from his austerity. His stare was unnerving, intense, and far too perceptive. “The scientist in my father cannot help being fascinated by your experiences, Your Grace. He is rather curious about you. I must admit I am, too.”
An inexplicable expression briefly shifted in his eyes. “Are you?”
“I am, Your Grace. I also respect your need for privacy, and I am sorry yours was violated.”
Mocking humor danced in his eyes at this, and she bit back a groan. He did suspect she had been in his chamber.How curious. “Perhaps in time, Your Grace, if you wish it, we might…share stories of our lives these past few years.”
Jules held her breath, hardly daring to believe she had said those words, but recalling that flare of raw curiosity in his gaze when he had seen through her disguise so effortlessly. Perhaps he needed that connection, a mutual sharing of secrets to allow anyone close.
His gaze gleamed, those piercing eyes like that of a hawk upon her person. “An exchange of truth, Southby? Of our past experiences?”
Truth.
Not mere stories meant to entertain or put one at ease but an unveiling of their souls. Nerves pricked hotly at the base of her spine.
“If it pleases you, Your Grace,” she murmured, aware of her palms sweating in her gloves. Jules shifted her gaze to her father, then back to the duke, hoping he understood the need for secrecy she silently communicated.
An imperceptible frown touched the duke’s forehead, and his gaze flicked between Jules and her father.
“Tell me more, Southby.”
“I would offer an exchange of truth, of our varied experiences and perhaps hopes for the future.”
“It pleases me,” the duke said.
Her father had stiffened beside her, but he wisely held his counsel.
A small, rather enigmatic smile touched the Duke’s mouth. “By all means let us converse with only honesty between us.”
Jules dipped into a quick, respectful bow. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
The duke’s regard shifted to her father. “Dr. Southby, I am sure your associate will share all pertinent information with you about our…meetings. You are free to convey whatever you believe necessary from it to the duchess and the queen.”
Her father’s eyes widened. “Your Grace, I cannot solely rely on—”
“This bargain is between myself and Mr. Southby,” the duke said, pinning her father with his unrelenting stare. “I very much doubt Dr. Southby has any truths to exchange that I might find valuable. If this cannot be agreed upon, you may both leave.”
How polite yet cutting the duke sounded. Somehow it made the uncertainty clawing inside her belly dig deeper. What would it be like to be so alone with him? Allowing him to see pieces of her existence that she dared not share with anyone else?
A calculating expression appeared in her father’s eyes. “Of course, if this is what makes Your Grace comfortable.”
“You are welcome to continue staying at Longbourn Park. I will tolerate your presence for the sake of my mother.”
How could the duchess doubt in any regard this man was not the duke?
Her father bowed. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
Jules watched as her father stiffly walked away, returning inside the main house. She sensed his pride had been injured.
“How long will I be tolerable for?” Jules asked without looking away from her father’s retreating figure.
“Do you regret your bargain already, Southby?”
Those nerves once again raked at her insides like clawing talons. “I never regret once I step forward.”
A small silence lingered, then he said, “Walk with me.”
