He was reminded, as he often was, of the night she helped him. He never really thanked her for it, instead accusing her of being untoward, yet all that time ago she had shown him genuine kindness without asking for anything in return. For days after that night, he had expected to hear word that she had accused him of being inappropriate so he would be forced into marriage, claiming the title of duchess, but that never happened.
She helped him—not wanting anything in return, and he was rude to her. She likely had not even known who he was, even if he was so well-known and recognizable.
“I ought to apologize to you,” he said at last, and when he dared to look her in the eyes, he saw that she looked quite inquisitive.
“You have done nothing wrong, Your Grace.”
“Yes, I have. I have been acting in a most peculiar fashion, and I assure you that it will not be forever. I simply have not been a sociable character for a good while now, and I do not know what it is to be around strangers.”
“Then it is just as well that we are no longer strangers. We are acquaintances, which is another thing entirely.”
“Acquaintances,” he echoed. “I must admit, that is quite pleasing to the ear.”
“And then friends,” she continued. “And then, should it go any further, we shall find the name for it.”
It was precisely what he needed to hear, and he wanted to believe Lady Jacqueline when she said it. There was, of course,the risk of being a fool all over again, but it was a risk that he was willing to take.
“I must go,” he said suddenly, taking his leave. “Please come to dinner tonight, at least?”
“Of course, Your Grace. For now, however, I simply must retire to my bedchambers and rest. I have yet to do so.”
Philip left her there, going immediately to his valet. If he was to court Lady Jacqueline, then he would be doing it correctly. He could not do it in any other way, for it was not proper.
“I require a favor,” he said firmly.
“Certainly, Your Grace, anything.”
“I shall need flowers to be arranged. I want a different arrangement given to Lady Jacqueline each day for the duration of her stay.”
“Of course. She is quite lovely, is she not?”
“Most certainly, and I am pleased that others are seeing that. It makes me feel less foolish for trying.”
“You should never feel foolish,” the valet nodded. “She is a good lady. Believe me, I know how people are. I have quite the knack for it.”
“In which case, what do you think of her father?”
At this, the valet seemed a little more apprehensive.
“Sadly, Your Grace, I do not think it wise to speak ill of the father of the lady you are courting, and so I shall hold my tongue.”
The two gentlemen laughed, but Philip made a note of it in his mind. He was not the only one not to trust the coward of a father that Lady Jacqueline had been stuck with.
He would have to keep an eye on that.
Chapter 7
When Jackie had accepted the duke’s request to join him for dinner, she had not once considered the fact that breakfast was a mere three hours later.
She had planned to eat, and then retire to her room and rest for a while longer, having put a lot of her hurt and confusion to bed. However, when she entered the room, she noticed the duke’s absence. It was, at least, an opportunity to meet her sister’s betrothed, as he had also been invited, even if she had not been planning on that for a while.
“Good morning, Lady Jacqueline,” the dowager duchess said warmly. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, quite, Your Grace. Thank you for asking. I apologize for my absence. I do not mean to show myself in a disrespectful light.”
“It is no trouble at all. Why, my son had a similar ailment himself and had to excuse himself. It is understandable, so you mustn’t think I am upset with you.”
Jackie dared to flash her father a victorious smile. She was liked there, whether he had been expecting it or not, and their family seemed to be full of love and forgiveness, just as her own had been when her mother was around.
