They reached the River Avon—and the punt for two tied to the small dock exactly where he’d instructed. “After you, milady,” he said, his hand extended to assist her into the boat.
“What is this?” she asked, even as she took his hand and placed her feet gingerly onto the bottom boards. “Another surprise? For me?”
For you, he didn’t confirm. He found himself giving a noncommittal grunt—he’d become quite adept at those—and stepping into the punt, untying the ropes and taking oars in hand.
He’d been rowing them down the river five or so minutes when Delilah said, “This is a decidedly aristocratic pursuit for lowly Seb the carpenter.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.”
A smile twitched about her mouth. She truly was lovely, relaxed and reclined onto her elbows and allowing the soft river breeze to riffle through her curls. “Archie has rubbed off on you over the years, I’m afraid.”
He didn’t deny it. “Let’s hope I’ve rubbed off a little on him, too.”
Sebastian loved Archie like a brother, but it was only one day in ten that his friend’s feet touched earth. It was a well thing he’d found the more earthbound Valentina.
“Where are we going, anyway?” asked Delilah.
“There’s a place I want to show you.”
“Along the Avon?”
He nodded.
“How very mysterious.” She held up a hand. “Don’t tell me.” A beat. “You have land here.”
“As it happens, I do. Wimberley Hill.”
She shook her head. “I thought you weren’t a duke for the rest of the summer.”
“No one will know we’re there.”
Intrigue shone in Delilah’s eyes.Good.He liked keeping her on her toes.
“In Shakespeare’s house—” he began.
“I still can’t believe we were inside the Bard’s house—breathing his air—only an hour ago.”
“You mentioned Juliet,” he continued. “You miss her.”
Delilah nodded as if a knot had suddenly formed in her throat. “After she ran off with Rory, I saw the future stretching out without her, and it was dead lonely.”
She looked surprised at herself for having spoken the words aloud, particularly the last one which emerged on a rasp.Lonely.
She’d been lonely. So, she’d taken her future in hand and joined the Albion Players. He admired that in her. She hadn’t taken loneliness lying down.
“Juliet is like my twin,” she continued. “Part of me. You know…” Hesitation hung about her. “When you discovered me with the Players…”
“Yes?”
“I wasn’t happy about it.”
“I seem to have a vague recollection,” he said only half ironically.
“At first.”
Sebastian waited.
“But now, well, I’m glad you claimed your dukely prerogative to do as you will and stayed with the company.”
