“It’s why poor Emma is glaring daggers at me at the end of the table,” he said, and leaned around Katherine to wave at their hostess. Emma shook her head, but there was undeniable mirth to her expression. “She tolerates me.”
Katherine placed her napkin in her lap. “I suppose every court needs its jester.”
He snorted out a laugh of surprise at her cheeky retort. “You think that is what I am?”
She shrugged. “You are entertaining, that is certain.”
“I can be,” he said, arching a brow toward her. She blushed, as he hoped she would.
Her gaze dropped to her empty plate. “I may regret asking this, but isthisyour version of allowing me space to consider our arrangement?”
He frowned at the lilt of desperation that was in her tone. He’d heard it earlier, too, when she talked about being controlled or forced. He could imagine there had been little choice in her life. That was the way for ladies in any rank. He had watched it many a time, sometimes far too closely.
“We spent an afternoon in opposite corners,” he said. “Though I did heartily applaud your win with James in the bowling tournament.”
She laughed again and her face relaxed. “Thank you. I think the mantle of champion may be a hard one to bear, though. Graham and Meg have already challenged us to a rematch, claiming the windy weather was the reason for their failure.”
He nodded with false solemnity. “Yes, I can see that. They’re both rather competitive souls. I assume we will witness a battle royale over the next week or so.”
“So you think an afternoon is enough space?” she asked, returning to the subject she had broached earlier.
He turned a little to look at her more directly. “Katherine, everything doesn’t have to be about some arrangement. You and I are two of the only people at this party who are not married. And I happen to find you very charming. As I know you find me, else you wouldn’t despise me so much.”
She drew a breath. “Is that your logic? What does that even mean?”
He smiled at the laughter in her tone. “Finding me so utterly delightful is what makes many a person hate me. The emotion is just too intense.”
Her smile fell a little and she turned her face. He watched her.Thathad struck a nerve, even if he’d meant it as a foolish statement. So, whatever she felt or desired was too intense for her. It frightened her.
At least they were the same when it came to that. The intensity with which he wanted this woman was not easy for him, either.
“Let us put it this way,” he said gently. “Why don’t we try to be friends, no matter what we decide to arrange outside of the public eye?”
She hesitated a moment, worrying her napkin in her lap as she pondered that suggestion. Before she could respond, the Duke of Tyndale, who was seated across the table with Isabel at his side, leaned closer.
“I’m sorry, my lady, is this gentleman bothering you?” He said it with a wink, a tease, and Robert smiled at him. The two of them had shared that terrible little exchange before they left London, but Matthew was not one to hold grudges. He’d accepted Robert’s written apology and his gaze held no inkling that he was still upset.
That was a relief, at least.
Isabel shot Robert an uncertain glance, but she didn’t seem angry either.
Katherine laughed. “Only in the slightest way, Your Grace, I assure you. I was just telling him what an entertaining gentleman he was. I assume you must have stories to prove that point.”
Matthew arched a brow and his expression grew wicked. “Stories about Roseford? Oh, there aredozensof those. Let me think of the one that will humiliate him most.”
“When he lost his clothing at your father’s ball,” Charlotte offered from down the table with a sly look at Robert. “That is my favorite. I think it is Ewan’s, as well.”
The Duke of Donburrow grinned and nodded, signing a few words. Charlotte took a breath to translate, but Robert lifted his hand. “I’m certain I know exactly what my friend was going to say. No need to translate.”
Charlotte laughed and the rest of the table now joined in. Robert shook his head. These were the moments when he felt so at home with his friends, his family. At a time when he was alone, frightened, uncertain, heartbroken, they had loved him despite all his faults. And their shared memories of their youth buoyed him on days when everything just felt…heavy.
“Well, do tell the story,” Katherine encouraged as their first course was laid out by the servants. “It sounds the perfect way to bring the duke down a notch or two.”
“I will start by saying that I was told there would be swimming the lake sans clothing,” Robert said. “And thatallmy friends would be participating.”
Matthew grinned. “We did tell you that, yes.”
Ewan signed a few things and Charlotte smiled. “Ewan says that you were very happy to leave that stuffy party and that was when the plan was hatched.”
