Lady Baldwin acted thankful as well. Apparently she had been equally stumped for a topic.
Of course, after the first few minutes, Char’s good intentions began to lag. She knew very little about horses, having never been around them much. Her attention began to wander. She also wondered what subject she would choose next once he’d run dry on this one.
She also noticed that the duke did not ask her anything about herself.
Perhaps being a duke, no one else was as important as he was...?
Such an observation would not serve her well. She was determined to marry him for the security that the marriage would provide for herself and Sarah and Lady Baldwin. She must learn to like him—although she did notdislike him.
Char wasn’t quite certain what she felt.
She did believe the duke was handsome. She could understand why eligible young ladies had flocked to his ball. However, she found herself looking for signs of his twin in the duke’s perfectly groomed person. It was almost as if the two men were shadow, not mirror, images of each other.
Was it wrong to possibly prefer Whitridge to the duke?
She was certain Sarah would think so.
“Well,” the duke said, bringing her attention back to him, “I need to take my leave. There are matters I must attend.”
Char smiled, relieved. “Thank you, Your Grace, for making time for me during your busy day.” She and Sarah had practiced this statement and Char thought she had delivered it rather well.
He seemed pleased. He stood. Bowed over her hand and murmured, “I would that I had nothing to do but bask in your presence.”
That was an alarming statement. Char didn’t know if she could manage the agony of the silence she had suffered before she’d asked about horses. She would go half mad.
Fortunately, dutiful Sarah-the-maid had fetched His Grace’s coat and hat. She held it for him by the front door. Seeing her, he bowed to Lady Baldwin and started from the room.
Prompted by a look from Sarah, Char rose and trailed after him, feeling a bit like a lost puppy.
Sarah helped him with his coat. He took his hat and then faced Char. “I must admit something.”
That statement lifted Char’s interest. Sarah’s as well, she noted.
“This is the first time I have paid a courting call.”
The news surprised her. She would have supposed a gentleman like him had wooed countless women. For the first time, she truly looked at him. His eyes were kind.
“This is the first time I’ve ever had one as well,” she answered.
“So, we are both celebrating firsts.”
“Is that why we both were a bit stiff?”
“Stiff? Or wary?”
She blinked at the choice of words and the insight into his character they offered. She frowned. “Stiff. I’m not wary of you.”
The smile he gave her transformed his face. He could make any woman light-headed when he looked at her like that instead of the intent scrutiny he’d given her while she’d poured tea. It had made her feel awkwardly aware of him.
However, now, she found she could breathe.
“I’ve discovered that ‘firsts’ are always difficult,” he said. “I look forward to bettering our acquaintance. My hope is to see much of you over the next several weeks.”
The smile Char gave him was genuine. “Nothing would please me more, Your Grace.”
He released his breath as if he’d been holding it against her answer. “That’s good.Verygood. Until the morrow then. And be ready,” he warned, “I have a feeling you will soon receive a stream of invitations. They will be for events that are on my calendar. I hope you accept them. Wherever you are, I shall look for you.” He took her hand. “As you come to know me better, you may feel you can relax around me and we won’t have to talk about horses.”
His comment, that he had been aware of her boredom, sparked a laugh. Yes, he was agoodman. One she could respect, and perhaps even grow to love.
