“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Alice said with a polite smile.
“The pleasure was mine.”
He nearly grimaced at the lie. Any pleasure he’d felt had ended after he and Eliza parted ways. The moment when she’d finally released her inhibitions and given herself over to the dance—to him—was a moment he wouldn’t soon forget.
The enjoyment on her face had made her even more beautiful. What might she look like in his bed when—
He jerked his mind back to the present, appalled at the direction of his thoughts. He had no business thinking such things. How many times must he remind himself that Eliza was not for him? If the difference in their ages wasn’t enough, he need only remember that she was Winston’s sister.
Thinking of his friend quickly washed away the desire he’d felt much like a bucket of cold water tossed over his head.
The purpose of this evening was to have more time with each of the Graham sisters, beginning with Lady Alice. That was all that mattered.
He forced himself to look at her closer as they made their way off the dance floor. Opportunities to speak with each of the sisters privately would help him decide between them. This was his chance and he needed to take advantage of it. “Are you enjoying the evening?”
“Very much.” She offered another polite smile, though the shadow in her eyes and the reserve in her expression suggested she wasn’t telling the truth. Was she intimidated by him, he wondered? Or did she simply not like him?
He might be a duke, but he was also a man. Not for the first time, he wished he could speak with the ladies without the weight of the title around his neck. That would make deciding much easier.
Had his father or brother ever felt that way?
He wracked his mind for another topic of conversation. “Isn’t it wonderful that the ball benefits orphans?”
“It certainly is.”
“Are you involved in charity work?” he asked as they made their way slowly back to where her sisters and mother waited.
“No.” Clearly regretting her answer, she looked at him in dismay. She waved a hand in the air as if to dismiss what she’d said and nearly struck Philip in the face with the frantic gesture. “I mean, not yet. Mother doesn’t think it wise to do so now. Clearly, I’m not opposed to helping the less fortunate.”
“I see.” Though he still didn’t know how she actually felt about it.
Her face had turned ruddy with color. “I understand you’re involved in several charities, and I find that admirable.”
“Thank you.” He donated money to several and intended to argue for issues that aided various social issues in Parliament, but that wasn’t enough. He hoped his future wife would be willing to help in that area.
It seemed Lady Alice was unfamiliar with charity work. He hoped she would welcome the opportunity to become involved. Some ladies acted as if they might somehow become sullied if they bumped elbows with the poor.
However, that was only one consideration for the woman who would become his duchess.
“Do you have any hobbies you enjoy?” he asked.
“Hobbies?” She frowned as if unfamiliar with the word.
“Do you enjoy riding?” Though not a requirement, it would be nice to have a few interests in common with his wife.
“No.” She gave a small shudder. “I fell off a horse when I was quite young and developed a fear of them.”
“How unfortunate.” Riding was something he enjoyed, especially when in the country.
“I like to draw,” she blurted as if hoping to make up for her not liking to ride.
“Very nice.”
“I do some reading as well,” she quickly added.
“Do you belong to a literary group?” he asked, thinking of Lady Bolton and Eliza.
“No. I don’t think it would suit me. Poetry is my favorite thing to read, and there are few book groups that focus on it. It’s best read out loud, you know.”
