“Down,please,” Felica revised.
Hurtheven set her on the ground. Almost immediately, her brother jumped out from behind a bush with a roar. Felicia squealed and threw her arms around Hurtheven’s legs.
“Delmare—” the duke scolded.
“Hescaredme,” Fee cried.
“—Apologize.”
Delmare placed his hands on his hips. “I’m sorry I have a frightened chicken for a sister.”
“I’m not a chicken!”
“Are!” Delmare tapped his sister’s shoulder and then ran.
“Not.” Felicia chased him.
“Are!” Delmare called back.
Hurtheven bit back a snort.
“It doesn’t help when you laugh,” Hera said under her breath.
“Likely not. They’re just high-spirited.”
“Please don’t make excuses I will later have to defend.” Hera called down the lane, insisting the children end their “discussion.” “Now,” she said after she caught up to them, “give each other aproperapology.”
Once satisfied with their efforts, she gave them permission to continue onward. When she turned back, Hurtheven was there. Just behind her. Yet again, he’d moved quickly and without sound.
He inclined his head; his twinkling gaze held hers. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Montrose. I should not have encouraged them by laughing. Will you accept my proper apology, too?”
“Very well.” She cursed the tug within her heart and refused this burgeoning affection for the duke. Any affinity would be exceedingly unwise...and dangerous.
He resumed walking. Reluctantly, she followed.
“Are you enjoying the walk?” he asked.
“I am.”
“You might as well walkwithme, then.”
“I thought I was.”
“A step behind, if you must know.” He caught up her hand and then placed her fingers against his arm, forcing her to fall into step beside him.
She turned her face so she could see him past the bonnet. “Does it matter?”
“It does, actually,” he replied.
“I’m not your equal.”
“No, but, in their eyes”—he gestured ahead to the children—“there is a greater parity between us than my title would suggest.”
“I compel them to listen. I put them to bed. I teach them letters and sums. I make sure they are fed. All very good reasons to mind me?—”
“Certainly.”
“—You, on the other hand,dazzle their little minds.” She glanced askance. “And you make them happy.”
