“We usually discuss everything. We have no secrets, or at least we didn’t used to.”
“Perhaps, it is because there is nothing to discuss,” she said pointedly. “Case and I have never been less than honest about our friendship. Much is assumed, but that doesn’t make it fact.”
He sighed. “I suppose it is best this comes up now so we can get it out of the way.” He paused a moment and dragged a hand through his hair. “I would very much like to clear the air between us.”
“Case is very honorable. I can think of no man nobler. He knows how much value you place on propriety. I can’t imagine him ever doing anything he thought would disappoint you. If you think he would, you can’t know him as I do,” she said passionately.
“I see he has a staunch supporter.”
“No, quite the opposite,” she said softly. “He ismystaunchest supporter, my only supporter, and friend.”
“I think I would like to change that,” he said, gaze intent.
She looked at him quizzically. “Are you suggesting we become friends?”
“Yes, I think I am. I admit, I think I have misjudged you, though you gave me every reason to.”
Jillian wondered what the admission cost him. “I’d like that,” she said in a quiet voice.
“Shall we start over then? Lady Penroth, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Justin Devlin, the Duke of Whittington.” He raised her hand to his lips. She felt a tingle race up her arm. Her entire attention was focused on the feel of his lips against her skin. Her mouth went dry as she imagined those lips on hers.
He lowered her hand, still holding it in his own. She recovered her wits and gave him a dazzling smile. “So pleased to make your acquaintance, your grace.”
“Please, call me Justin.”
“And you must call me Jillian,” she said, playing along.
“Are we off on the right foot now?” he asked, a smile curving his handsome face.
“Yes, I believe we are.” She returned his smile.
“Good. Now would you like to see the stables?” He offered his arm to her.
“I would love to see your horses,” she said with a measure of excitement. “I had every intention of learning to ride when the season was over. I don’t suppose that will happen now.”
He looked surprised. “You don’t know how to ride?”
She shook her head.
“We shall have to correct that, posthaste. There is no reason you can’t learn to ride while you are here.”
“Do you mean you would instruct me?”
He smiled. “I think it can be arranged.”
As they entered the stables, Jillian eagerly took in the rows of stalls that housed the horses. Fresh scents of hay mingled with the musty odor of the horses and the lingering smell of dung. The groom leaned out of a stall where he was rubbing down a horse.
“Good afternoon, your grace. It’s good to have ye home.”
“How are the horses doing, Ben?” Justin asked nodding at the groom.
“I’m just through exercising Cyclops, he’s a right ornery blighter this morning.”
“Why do you call him Cyclops?” Jillian asked.
“Because he’s big and he’s ugly,” Justin replied in amusement, “and he has a large knot on his forehead that looks very much like Cyclops’s one eye, but he’s fast and a very fine horse.”
“Is he yours then?”
