“What is that?”
“For good or ill,” she said, “someone was trying to throw us together.”
He had suffered a significant loss in the death of his mother, and Aurelia hated to imagine that her circumstances added to his troubles in any way.She only ever wished to help the duke.
He bore the weight of his substantial responsibilities with strength and dignity, though she knew that he did not have time to poke about in his mother’s papers when real, pressing ducal matters required his attention.
He was kind to spare a thought for her and to give her a moment of his time.
“That scheme got you to London, didn’t it?”he said.“There are worse ways to spend Christmas.”
She flashed him a smile.“Yes, of course.You’ve all been very welcoming.”
“At any rate, you look lovely.”His eyes, softened by the glow of gas lamps overhead, studied her from the hems of her woolen skirts to the brim of her bonnet.She had worn her claret-colored carriage ensemble for the jaunt, and clearly, he approved.“Are you ready to go?”
The Duke of Brantingham offered his arm to her, and Aurelia placed her gloved hand upon his sleeve.“Ready as I shall ever be, Your Grace.Let’s see what all the fuss is about.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
To see the electric lamps switched on would be novel, indeed.He held no nostalgic sympathies for the past, though he felt a nagging suspicion that his way of living was quickly becoming outdated.Farms were giving way to factories, and the great landowners were yielding to the demands of the common man.Now it seemed that gas must relinquish its golden glimmer to the brilliant buzz of electricity, yet progress was not to be feared so long as one kept an open mind.
Miss Goldsworthy stood at his side, her gloved hand resting upon the sleeve of his greatcoat, though she conversed animatedly with Perry.The youngest Charlton brother was smitten by their guest.They were both admirers of theopéras comiquesby Gilbert and Sullivan, and it was news to Selwyn that Perry and a troupe of his school friends had sneaked to London to seeH.M.S.Pinafore.Miss Goldsworthy had not been so fortunate as to see the show in person, though she hoped to do so when the production resumed next spring.
Selwyn hoped that she would indulge herself in all things and find some amusement now that she was no longer constrained by the chance of being his duchess.She might not see the ending of their false betrothal as a freedom, but it was—he knew that better than anyone.
Why would this beautiful, vibrant young lady wish to align herself with a society obsessed by birthright and background?
Without him, Miss Goldsworthy could take her generous allowance given to her by an anonymous benefactor and forge a life of her own, far removed from any shame or mockery that her mysterious past might cause her.
Yet for now, she was a guest in his home and a friend of his siblings.Selwyn longed to bask in the brightness of her company.
She wore a claret-colored carriage dress and a bird-wing bonnet with long, trailing ribbons.His sisters were bundled to their noses in fur and brocade, while Perry had become a natty dresser since he’d gone to Eton.They formed a pretty party on the pavement, and folk crossed the street from Hyde Park merely to admire them.
Thankfully, a duo of carriages pulled to the kerb.Two teams of perfectly matched greys fussed and nickered in their traces and stamped their glossy, blackened hooves against the cobblestones.The horses had been roused from their warm, dry stalls and were impatient to get moving.
So was he.
“We shall have to take two carriages,” said Selwyn, “unless Perry wants to ride up front with the coachman.”
“Absolutely not!”The lad laughed.“It’s bally freezing on the box!”
“Alright, it is settled then—you three may ride together whilst Miss Goldsworthy and I travel in the landau.”
Fannie balked.“Oh, that’s not fair!The landau is twice as large, and there are only two of you.”
Clever, sensible Margie jabbed their sister in the ribs.“Hush, Fannie.Of course it’s fair,” she explained, coming to his rescue.“Selly is the duke and Aurelia is our guest.They deserve the nicer carriage.”
Good manners dictated that he offer Miss Goldsworthy a seat in the ducal landau, but it wasn’t exactly proper to ride alone with her.Still, a slightly jealous part of him refused to share her with his siblings or even a chaperone.For a little while—for once in his life—Selwyn wanted something all to himself.He wished to escort an attractive woman to see the lights at Christmas.
If he must break a few rules to do so, then so be it.
He handed Miss Goldsworthy into the large, well-sprung landau and waited while she settled her bustled skirts on the squabs.He climbed in after her, taking the seat across from her with his back to the horses.
Inside the carriage was cold and dark, and covered by a heavy leather hood, completely shielding them both from the outside world.A small heater burned on the floor to warm their toes.Selwyn extended a heavy tartan rug to her, but she waved him away.
“Thank you, but I’ll be comfortable enough when we’re moving, Your Grace.”She smiled at him from her bench seat.How pretty she was!Fading sunlight shone through the carriage windows, highlighting her pinkened, freckled cheeks.The Bordeaux shades of her bonnet and dress complemented the rare, coppery coloring of her hair and the unique flush of her skin in the chilly air.
If they waited much longer, her nose would grow red.
