“Are those… real sapphires?”
“They are indeed.The set is part of the Hampton line.No one but future duchesses have worn these before.”He unclasped the necklace and moved around behind her to fasten it.
“Are you sure it’s wise for me to wear it then?You should be afraid I will curse it or some such.”
He scoffed.“Nonsense.If that were true, it would have been such long ago.”He paused as he gathered the matching ear bobs.These he handed to her once they were face-to-face again.“Remember that you have to appear the part.It would not be out of character for you to wear something belonging to the family since you bear the same last name.”
She secured the earbobs with some reluctance and then looked at him.The twinkling gems did nothing to dim the allure of her beauty.And while the deep blue stones complimented her lighter blue gown, they reflected the light in her green eyes and made them sparkle.
She truly was a treasure.
He cleared his throat.“We should go.It is one thing to be fashionably late, but we do not wish to draw too much attention to our arrival.We are supposed to be somewhat circumspect.”
“Lead the way, Your Grace.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up as he led her toward the waiting carriage.They climbed inside, and he rapped on the roof then said dryly, “I am glad to see that you are already adopting a proper decorum, Lady Astrid.”
“Of course.How else am I to prove that I am a better agent than you are?”
It wasn’t often that Knox allowed himself the chance to laugh, to truly unleash his less somber demeanor for that long, but he found himself chuckling despite his strict personal rules.
When he had collected himself, he glanced at his companion and he found the most absurd grin on her face.Some of his merriment diminished.“What?”
“Nothing.”She waved a hand.She turned her head to look out the window, not exactly a dismissal, but certainly a mysterious response to his query.
He decided he would not pursue that line of questioning since he wanted to ensure she kept her focus on the important task ahead.And as much as he didn’t want to keep his expression from showing his current contentment, no doubt it was easy to see.
* * *
Astara was quitepleased that she had accomplished her goal in making the duke laugh in such a short amount of time.Likely he found her comment so humorous because surely, she could not dare to compare to his abilities in the Lion’s Watch.But that was where she intended to prove him wrong.
She had nearly forgotten about the uncomfortable dress in her sudden influx of joy, but when they arrived at the brightly lit house with several carriages lined up in front of the impressive estate just outside of London, she discovered that she was all too aware of her uncertainty.
She attempted to take a deep breath and found her stays more constricting than ever.
I cannot do this.What was I thinking?
“Are you ready, Lady Astrid?”
It was when she turned her attention back to the duke, who had already stepped to the ground, that some of her equilibrium returned.He was holding his hand out to her.It was the calm expression on his face, the warm look in his dark eyes that caused her to extend her white gloved fingers and place them over his knuckles.Pasting a smile on her face that she hoped looked easy and not forced, she replied, “Naturally.”
As they made their way to the receiving line, which looked as though it stretched the entire length of the manor house, Astara leaned toward her handsome companion and whispered for his ears alone, “Is it always like this?”
He inclined his head.“During certain times of the season, it can be.The reason this ball is so well attended is that it shall be one of the last events before many of the assemblage retire to the country for the summer.”
“Ah, yes.To escape the oppressive heat, is it not?”
He lifted a brow, catching the sarcastic tone that she didn’t try to hide.“It is interesting that you should mention that because there have been rumors swirling among the continent from various scientists alluding to that very effect.”
“And how would you know about what is occurring on the continent?Aren’t we at war with France?”
He snorted.“All the more reason to be invested in what is happening around us and them.The better informed we are, the more efficient we can be in resolving the conflict.”He looked down at her.“It is the reason you are here.”
Astara was aware that he wasn’t speaking in a demeaning tone, but it still felt as though she was being put in her place, effectively being reminded that without his escort and the support from the Lion’s Watch, she had no business being at such a luxurious gathering.
Deciding to steer the conversation to the task at hand rather than glare at her own shortcomings as a poor orphan, who until recently, had taken up residence on the streets under the goodwill of those who were kind enough to take her in for a night or two.Until she’d met the duke, the only clothes she owned were the ones on her back or ones that had been donated to her.
It had not gone unnoticed by her that just one of the priceless earbobs would do well to feed and house her for quite some time.But while she had practiced thievery to gain the attention of the Lion’s Watch (the item already having been returned anonymously), she was not deceitful by nature.She just wanted to know where she came from, to know her true parents and reconnect with them if possible, to find out if there was a way she could help them gain their footing after all this time.
