“Mildenhall.”
“I wouldn’t expect to find you here this morning,” Leo said too smoothly.
“On the contrary. You should have been the first person to expect me here. You introduced Miss Primrose to me.”
Prim’s eyes snapped to Leo’s. Her prediction was correct. A flash of irritation passed over Leo’s face. She had seen the same look on her little cousin every time they visited. The 4-year-old girl hated even the idea of sharing her dolls.
“I always knew you were a man of action, but I didn’t realize the efficiency,” Leo mocked.
“It is not a trait everyone possesses,” the Duke rebutted.
“Certainly not,” Leo smiled. “Some of us prefer to take our time.”
Prim looked between the two men. The Duke was cool and aloof. If he was annoyed that there was another suitor in her drawing room, he didn’t show it. On the other side, Leo was all smiles and relaxed demeanor as if the other man in the room was insignificant now that he was there.
And Primrose just felt like lying down for a moment because all this was a bit too much. She wanted to openly roll her eyes at Leo to remind him that the Duke’s “efficiency” was the goal. If she could, she would grab Leo by the lapels and shake him to remind him of the plan. The plan was secure a stable, honorable proposal from a decent man to finally end the scandal and secure her sisters’ futures. Leo acting out of sheer petulance or whatever this was, deviated from the strategy.
“Miss Primrose,” the Duke bowed again. “Thank you for your time.”
Prim unfroze and curtsied. The Duke paid respects to her family, nodded at Leo, and left the room. The moment the Duke left, the room tilted on its axis again, so much so that Prim was surprised that the cutlery stayed in place.
Once more, Prim focused on her parents, and she was shocked to see the look on their faces. It was a tight, sour displeasure, their expressions pinched as if smelling something foul. It was the same look one would give to someone stealing something rightfully theirs. Prim, in their eyes, was hoarding Dukes.
“Miss Primrose,” Leo demanded her attention.
He sat on the seat the Duke had just vacated and filled it. Leo was as tall as the Duke, but his presence was immense. While the Duke sat efficiently, Leo sat to seduce. In her drawing room, her family present.
“Isn’t itMiss Jenkinsto you?” Prim teased.
“If Greyhaven is allowed certain liberties, I might as well,” Leo smiled a dangerous smile.
She glared at him. Her look was openly irritated. He had the nerve to speak of liberties?
“Well, if you must,” Prim hissed. “Tea?”
Prim was shaking with anger. Or some sentiment close to that, she couldn’t be sure.
The Duke merely called her name, and Prim was sure he did because there were two other Miss Jenkinses present, and it was an inefficient way of communication. He didn’t lure her into a terrace, corner her against the handrail, and kiss her into oblivion.
The moment the memory of that kiss seized her, Prim felt heat rising up her chest, to her cheeks, and the kettle in her hands shook. Leo smiled that infuriating smile of his and sprang up from his seat.
“The weather is splendid,” Leo said and gave her his arm. “How about a promenade? Is Kensington Park to your liking?”
Prim thought it was indeed an excellent idea. She would get away from her parents’ scorching look and have the liberty to give Leo a piece of her mind. And still be public enough to nudge her against murdering Leo. She scowled at him, then smiled and took his arm.
“Asplendididea,” she mocked.
As he led her to his carriage, she had the notion that one of them, or perhaps both, would regret this simple promenade.
CHAPTER 10
Walk Under Shadows
Leo had nothing particular against promenades. It was a delightful way to waste your time, walking in perfect posture as others watched you. It was even less pleasant with a seething lady on your arm, her vigilant maid in tow as a chaperone. Still, Kensington Park did its due diligence to look magnificent and conspired with the weather to make the day memorable. For everyone else but Prim.
“You are hard to please, Miss Primrose,” he commented after an extended bout of silence.
“I assure you I am pleased,” Prim clipped.
