“You will, I believe,” Gabriella assured him. “Eventually.”
“Because I’m a duke and everyone will wish to know me?”
“There is that,” she agreed, “but there’s also the man you are without the title—your character and your personality. You needn’t change either just because you’re learning to speak and conduct yourself differently. In fact, I think it would be a shame if you did.”
His eyes stayed on her for a long moment, and then he suddenly turned toward his sisters, who’d fallen into their own conversation. “May I see what Lady Gabriella has taught ye?”
Gabriella flinched, startled by the sudden change of mood, but she quickly recovered, straightened her back and smiled at the two sisters. “Juliette. Why don’t you begin?”
Rising with great hesitation, Juliette’s confidence seemed to grow increasingly fragile as she moved about the room. Clearly, Huntley’s perusal was making her too self-conscious. “Just relax,” Gabriella told her gently. “You’re doing very well.”
“Shouldn’t she hold her head a bit higher?” Huntley asked.
Juliette faltered, her body jerking slightly as she turned with a strained expression that conveyed deep concentration with an underlying hint of defeat. Gabriella’s lips thinned. She turned to Huntley, who was clearly the cause of his sister’s distress, most likely because she’d hoped to impress him and wasn’t self-assured enough to bear his comment as anything other than a criticism aimed at her. “I suppose you think you can do better?” Gabriella asked.
The duke started just enough for Gabriella to appreciate his discomfort. His expression tightened, producing a slight strain in his jawline. “Probably not,” he admitted.
“Oh?” She gave him a frank stare. “Perhaps you shouldn’t comment on the progress of others unless you have something positive to say, then?”
“I’m sorry, Julie,” Huntley told his sister with a touching degree of sincerity. “I didn’t mean to sound critical. Please,” he moved his chin in his sister’s direction, “do continue.”
For the next fifteen minutes, the sisters showed their brother everything Gabriella had taught them that morning, including how to pour drinks for guests. No other mistakes were made, which led to an impressive smile of appreciation from Huntley as soon as the demonstration was over. He clapped his hands. “Well done!”
His enthusiastic praise lifted Gabriella’s spirits in a way nothing else ever had. She felt a strong sense of accomplishment, even though she knew this was only the beginning. “There is still a lot of ground for us to cover before you’re ready, but if your dedication doesn’t change, I suspect you will both obtain the admiration you deserve.”
“What about me?” Huntley asked. “Do ye think I’ll receive the admiration I deserve?”
Swallowing, Gabriella tried to keep her expression as bland as possible. “If you apply yourself as well as Juliette and Amelia, then I’m sure you will.”
He rolled his eyes in an unapologetic way. “Richardson expects me to learn about opera an’ some famous composer called Beathoevan.”
“It’s pronounced Batehoven, Your Grace, and Richardson is correct. There are certain subjects that you will be expected to be familiar with in order to converse with the ladies and gentlemen you meet.”
“Can’t I just talk about current events? I’ve been readin’ the papers fer as long as I can remember, keepin’ up to date on politics an’ such. T’would make fer a more interestin’ debate.”
“I’m sure it would,” Gabriella agreed, “But discussing politics in public is considered vulgar for precisely that reason, which is why gentlemen tend to address these matters in the privacy of their clubs.”
“Sounds stupid.”
Gabriella couldn’t resist laughing. “Perhaps it does, but it prevents tempers from rising on account of differing views.”
“Hmm.” He didn’t seem to agree. “Is there anythin’ else that I should avoid talkin’ about?”
“Religion,” she said. “As with politics, this is an area that can easily rile and offend. Instead, I would suggest focusing on books you’ve read or the arts—even the weather will do if you can think of nothing else.”
“If ye take a look at the paintings ye own,” Juliette suggested, “ye can talk about that. I’ve noticed a couple of De Latours upstairs as well as a Rubens in the library.”
“Yes,” Gabriella agreed with a few rapid blinks. She was somewhat surprised by Juliette’s unexpected knowledge about painters. “Your library is an excellent resource in general. I suggest you make good use of it.”
“Thank you,” Huntley said, his voice a deep and honest conveyance of gratitude.
Fearing her own voice might betray her, Gabriella nodded her response with a smile. “Well then,” she said, determined to remove herself from Huntley’s presence before her legs grew too weak to walk. “I really must—”
“Tell me somethin’, me lady,” Huntley said, interrupting her without further ado.
Gabriella drew a fortifying breath. “Yes?
“What does someone like ye do fer sport?”
