Lord Bentham, one of the youngest gentlemen in the hunt, looked faint. “But… cook? By myself?”
“Precisely!” The dowager clapped her hands. “And because it would not be a Duke Hunt without forming pairs, each lady will partner with the gentleman seated to her immediate right.”
A flurry of movement erupted as ladies twisted in their chairs, suddenly very aware of seating arrangements.
Lady Amelia squealed. “His Grace is on my right!”
“No, he is on mine!” protested Lady Ann.
The countess gave a low laugh. “Darlings, from where I sit, His Grace is most definitely on my right.”
Austin lifted both hands in surrender. “Ladies, please?—”
The dowager raised her voice sweetly. “Actually, the Duke of Windemere will be exempt from the general pairing. I require his assistance with my own crêpes. A duke must occasionally serve his hostess, mustn’t he?”
A chorus of disappointed sighs answered her.
Austin bowed. “I am ever at your service, Your Grace.”
“Excellent. And conveniently, Deena darling, you are seated beside me. Lord Bentham will be your partner.”
Deena’s smile was polite, but Austin caught the flicker of unease when Lord Bentham smiled coyly at her.
“Follow me!” the dowager yelled and walked briskly out of the breakfast room.
All the lords and ladies shuffled to their feet and made haste to follow her. Austin searched for Deena in the bustling crowd but failed to find her.
In the sunlit conservatory, cooking stations had been arranged along long tables. The air smelled of butter and lemon. Footmen stood ready with bowls of batter, fruit, chocolate, and jam. And the dowager proudly narrated as Deena demonstrated how to make crêpes.
“See how she pours the batter? Thin and even! Someone in Paris has taught her well. My granddaughter could run a pâtisserie if she wished.”
Deena laughed softly. “Grandmother, you exaggerate.”
“I do not! Look at that perfect circle. Lord Bentham, do try to keep up.”
Austin stood at the dowager’s elbow, ostensibly helping her ladle batter, but his attention was fixed on Deena. Every time Bentham leaned too close, his jaw tightened.
For Dominic’s sake,he told himself.Purely that.
“Hold this,” the dowager commanded Austin as a footman approached her with a whispered message. “Ah, duty calls,” she sighed. “I shall return shortly. Your Grace, do keep an eye on things.”
“What do I?—”
The dowager winked before she sailed off, leaving Austin with a ladle and no clue on what to do next.
“Lady Deena.” Austin heard Lord Bentham’s cold voice. “Do not mistake this pairing for interest. I am here for an advantageous match. I have no intention of entertaining a woman who once fled the country to escape scandal.”
Deena’s spatula stilled, and heads turned in their direction.
Austin stepped forward protectively. “Lord Bentham.”
The younger man turned towards him with a scowl on his face.
“Would you care for a lesson in how a gentleman behaves? Or shall I simply remove you from the premises?” Austin’s voice was quiet, but lethal.
Bentham’s face reddened as every couple stopped what they were doing and stared at him. He dropped his ladle, causing Deena to flinch slightly, and stalked away.
Austin fought against the temptation to teach the man a lesson with his fists. Instead, he took his place at the station next to Deena.
