“Yes, I understand.I don’t know how that could have happened, but I shall—”
He said no more because he looked down the stairs at that moment and his gaze met hers.Valaria hated how she made note of his appearance.It was a failing she’d always had when it came to this man, even though she knew that physical beauty in a person meant less than nothing when it came to actual goodness.But he was undeniably handsome with his lean, lanky frame, well-defined jawline, light brown eyes and the mop of brown curls that always seemed rakishly imperfect.
“Valaria,” he breathed, and then blinked.“Forgive me, Your Grace.I did not expect to see you.”
She folded her arms.“I don’t know why.You came to my home.Unannounced, I might add.Why else would you do that except to see me?”
His brow wrinkled at her peppery tone.“I—yes, how foolish of me.I did intend to see you, but not unannounced.I sent word last night that I intended to call, but the message must have been misdelivered by my courier.He was taking care of several missives at once, you see, and perhaps he lost track of the one for you.”
She worried her lip.That was a reasonable explanation, but not one she was ready to accept entirely.She knew the men of his kind too well.And she also knew not to upset them, so she forced herself to soften her tone.“Well, I suppose that must happen.As you can see, though, I was not at home.”
He nodded.“Yes, your butler told me you were off to visit a few of the other dowagers here on the row.I hope you had a nice time.”
He smiled and her heart did the strangest little patter that she forced herself to ignore.Nervousness would do that.It meant nothing else.
“What did you want here, Blackvale?”she asked.
“I was only checking in on you, Your Grace.”He glanced back toward the house.“I did not have an appointment, so I know I may be intruding, but might we have a moment?Just to talk.”
She glanced at Higgins, still waiting at the door.The butler met her stare evenly and looked at the ready to help her dismiss this man.That fact gave her a little strength.This was her house, not Silas’s.She was in charge.If she let this man in, it was because she chose to allow him entry.And she could revoke that permission just as swiftly.
She examined Blackvale’s face.He did look earnestly interested in talking to her.But he wasn’t being lewd in his attentions, like some of Silas’s friends had been in the weeks since his death.Making little comments about her needing company.She shuddered just thinking about it.
But Blackvale had never been like those other men.No, he’d been nothing but polite to her over the years.Kind when they spoke.He was a gentleman of the truest sense, at least by appearance and public behavior.For now, she would choose to believe that was his true character.
And if she let him in, she knew it was more likely this would be finished and she could ensure he didn’t return.
“Your Grace?”he said softly.
She motioned toward the door.“Of course.Please, come in.”
He followed her inside and she gave Higgins a slight smile.“I apologize for the trouble, Higgins.”She glanced back at Blackvale.“Would you like tea, Your Grace?”
“Thank you, no.I think you just came from tea, so I would not trouble you.”
She blinked.Silas would havedemandedtea.Although he also would never have allowed her to take tea outside of the house, either.
She entered the parlor and Blackvale followed.She felt him at her back, the heat of him, the presence, even though he didn’t get too close.Still, her heart beat faster and she gripped her hands into fists to stop them from shaking as she sat in one of the chairs and motioned for him to take the settee across from her.
He did so and then he just…looked at her.She shifted beneath that focused regard.“What was it you wished to discuss?”
He blinked as if he’d been pulled from deep thoughts.“Yes, of course.I only wanted to check that you were settling in well.I know you relocated only yesterday.”
Her lips pinched.“And who told you about my situation?”
“Theo.”He shook his head.“Forgive me, the Duke of Lightmorrow.”
“I know who Theo is,” she said softly, and to her surprise, there was a slight twitch to his cheek.“Lightmorrow is a gossip.Which must mean that people are talking about me.”
Blackvale swallowed.“I would not sport with your intelligence and say that wasn’t true, Your Grace.You know there has been interest in your situation since…” He hesitated and his voice cracked as he continued, “Since Silas’s death.”
For a moment, she felt a cacophony of reactions to his genuine emotions.First was surprise.Men didn’t often show their hearts, and yet it was plain that Blackvale was truly pained by the loss of his old friend.Her second emotion was anger.Silas didn’t deserve such loyalty and grief.Especially not from a man like this.One who seemed, at least outwardly, to be the opposite of her husband.
But the last emotion that washed over her was more surprising.She felt…envy.Jealousy that Blackvale could feel something so pure toward Silas.That he was not damaged by her husband’s cruelty and could experience a normal progression of grief for his friend.Something so unlike the tangled and complicated path of her own.
“I suppose it makes sense that I am their current topic,” she said, turning her face so he wouldn’t see her emotions too plainly.They would reveal too much, she feared.
“I can understand why that focused regard would be difficult, but if it helps, I don’t think anyone was saying anything in a negative light.Just that you had moved from the main house here to the Row.”He frowned.“I am surprised that Franklin would insist on such a thing.”
