Her heart jumped, and she tightened her hold on her shawl. To see firsthand a foal’s birth would be mesmerizing, but even as excitement at the prospect filled her, she could hear her mother’s voice cautioning her to think before she acted. Why would this duke, who thought women belonged in a parlor, allow her such an opportunity, an opportunity her father had refused her when he usually granted her almost every wish? She studied the duke’s face. Though he was serious, there was a sparkle in his eyes that was not there before. Was he daring her? Oh, she never could resist a dare. She parted her lips to accept the invitation.
But you promised Teddy. She snapped her mouth closed, her conscience forcing her to reconsider. “As much as I would enjoy that, I must decline as I’m sure my sister and cousin are already wondering about my whereabouts.” She grasped her skirts, ready to escape his challenging presence.
“Allow me to escort you. I can’t have you traipsing about in the dark while under my hospitality.” He stepped closer and offered his arm.
She gritted her teeth. She wasn’t a child. If she found her way out to the coach, she could find her way back inside. “I’m sure I can make my way back alone. After all, I can see the house from here. I don’t wish to put you out.” Pleased that none of her scorn came through in her voice, she smiled politely.
The duke didn’t remove his arm. “But I insist. As your host, I am duty bound to see you safely back to the dining room, or as may be the case, the parlor, since the ladies may have already retired to that pleasant room.”
Again, she had to tamp down her retort. She wouldn’t ruin Teddy’s chances with Elsbeth, no matter how much she wished to express her opinion. Instead, she placed her hand on the duke’s arm and nodded, avoiding his gaze.
He started forward, keeping his stride short for her. He needn’t have. She enjoyed a brisk walk, but since everything about him irritated her, she simply started counting. She was barely at eight when he spoke.
“I would have been happy to send a footman out to fetch your shawl, Lady Joanna. I admit, I’m not used to my guests wandering about in my courtyard in the dark of night.”
Meaning, he was not used to women walking about alone in his courtyard. “Yes, I suppose you could have. I will be sure to make use of your footman if I find myself in a similar situation.” Which would never happen since she planned to avoid the man’s presence for the rest of the season. Amelia would just have to attend with Mariel and Teddy. She had been curious about him since he did not visit London often, and had not been in residence during her seasons. In fact, it wasn’t until she’d heard Teddy mention the Duke of Northwick that she remembered he existed. Now she wished she’d never satisfied her curiosity about the reclusive man who it was said preferred the country to Town.
As they neared the house, the duke halted. They had been moving slowly, so his lack of motion was barely noticeable, but when he pulled his arm from beneath her hand and faced her, concern that he’d seen her with the book resurfaced. She boldly met his gaze, ready to brazen out the situation.
“Lady Joanna. I have the distinct feeling that you do not find my company to your liking.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. She had to admit, the man was observant. Rather than tell the truth and have Teddy upset with her until the day she was laid to rest, she lowered her brows. “I’m not sure why you would think that, Your Grace. Have I not behaved appropriately?” She bit down on her smile. What would a gentleman say to such a question from a guest? She expected he’d make a hasty retreat.
She was wrong.
“Your behavior has been impeccable, as has your sister’s, and I have to admit your cousin’s as well. It is not that which has me questioning your sentiment. Let us say it is just a feeling.”
“A feeling? That is not a very logical reason. Did you not say at dinner that logic is the only way for a man to progress in society? Or did you mean that only for those in the mercantile and trading businesses?”
His lips quirked upward on one side. “I did not realize you had been listening to that particular discourse. I stand corrected.” He gave a brief nod and opened his arm toward the waiting stairs to the door. “Shall we?”
Confused by whether he meant his reasoning for thinking she didn’t care for his presence was faulty, or if he now believed that she did enjoy his presence, she preceded him up the stairs. He stepped forward to open the door, but paused. “Then am I to assume you agree with me regarding the use of logic for finding the truth?”
Surprised by the question, she answered honestly. “Of course, as long as one has the education needed to follow the logic to its correct conclusion, something most women of the peerage are denied.”
His whole body stiffened.
Blast, she’d revealed too much. She smiled, hoping he could see her face in the light flowing through the house windows. “Therefore, I suggest that we should join the others so we can continue this lovely evening.”
He studied her for a moment, then opened the door and allowed her to pass. This time there were servants about and from the look of one of them, it appeared they thought she’d been on some kind of moonlit assignation with the duke. How far from the truth that was.
The butler stood before the dining room. “Your Grace. Your aunt declared the end of dinner and the ladies are now in the parlor.”
“Very good, Harrison. Please show Lady Joanna the way, and I will repair to the library.”
“Of course, Your Grace. My lady?”
She gave the duke a brief nod then followed the butler, hoping she’d saved herself from ruining the night for Teddy. As soon as she stepped inside the parlor, her sister approached her. “Where did you go off to?”
Mariel was the oldest of the four of them and already a widow three years at twenty-six. Her ability to adapt to any situation gracefully was an art Joanna often envied. Dressed in a dark forest green with her thick chestnut hair pulled tightly back with just a few whisps escaping to frame her face, Mariel exuded calm. But her emerald eyes shone with worry.
“I just went to fetch my shawl.” She quickly stepped around her sister and the disapproving look she knew would come. Mariel was the only one who knew about her penchant for borrowing books from their peers and the true reason for the shawl.
She strode to where Lady Astor and her daughter, Elsbeth, sat and took the chair opposite them. Of all the ladies in attendance, Joanna found she enjoyed this lady’s company the most. Though at least two score, she had a youthful appearance and her mind was quick.
Lady Astor didn’t hesitate to include her in the conversation she was having with her daughter. “Lady Joanna, we were just discussing the attributes of the eligible men currently with my nephew. It appears they are all quite interested in Elsbeth, yet she doesn’t come out until next month. Do you have an opinion on how she should choose her husband?”
The older woman, looking splendid in a deep gold evening dress that set off her blonde locks beautifully and complemented her brown eyes, smiled, clearly teasing her daughter, who blushed.
