Glancing down at her, Lamont studied her a moment before saying, “We were close friends once—until his brother and I went off to war.”
This brought Mary up short. “You were at Waterloo?”
“I was just a spare then,” he explained. “The title came later.”
He did not elaborate, and he did not have to. Mary knew the story about his father and brother all too well. Everyone did. “I am sorry,” she said, unable to think of anything else—aware that the words fell flat.
“It was a long time ago,” he said stiffly.
“But you knew Mr.Heartly,” Mary pressed, eager to return to the subject of her own interest.
A brief pause followed, their steps tapping in concert against the stone floor. “He was extraordinarily brave. The sort of man who would risk his life for others without thinking twice about it. His death was tragic and... when I heard about it, I found it difficult to face Spencer and his family, acutely aware that I was alive and well while he...” He shook his head as if tossing the thought aside.
Thinking of Richard, Mary felt an overwhelming urge to seek him out immediately so she could hold him in her arms. Knowing how close he’d been to losing his life was the most unsettling thought in the world. “I cannot even begin to imagine how awful it must have been,” she murmured.
Drawing her to a halt, Lamont released her arm and turned to face her, his expression grave. “You are a good person, Lady Mary. Your gentle nature and kindness are apparent in the way you speak, the things you say... the fact that you agreed to keep my company in spite of your reluctance to do so.”
“I—”
“Please, do not apologize. It is entirely my fault.”
She gaped at him. “Your fault?”
“I have made no effort to speak with you at greater length before, or even to dance with you when we attended the same balls. I am sorry for it, because it is clear to me now that you deserve all the attention in the world.”
Uncomfortable with what he was saying and dreading the possible direction of the conversation, Mary shifted, her eyes darting toward the door. “You are very kind to say so, Your Grace.”
The hint of a smile touched his lips, but it was gone again within a heartbeat. “Perhaps we can become better acquainted while we are here?”
Sucking in a breath, Mary looked up at the man before her, uncertain of how to deal with this predicament. Deciding that direct honesty would serve them both best, she gathered her courage and said, “As happy as I would be to keep your company, you ought to know that my heart is already engaged elsewhere.”
The life seemed to drain out of him. “I see.”
“But if you are truly interested in making a match for yourself, I am happy to make a few suggestions,” Mary said, the words rushing out of her before she could even think.
Offering her his arm once more, he steered her back toward the hallway from which they’d come. “I appreciate that, but I am not in need of a matchmaker, Lady Mary. The fact of the matter is that I have taken great care in studying the qualities of all the young ladies of marriageable age and have found that only two will suit.”
“I am honored that you would even consider me then. Especially since my dowry is rather insignificant.”
He frowned. “I suppose there are those who would consider that objectionable. Personally, I can think of other merits that I would rather have in a life partner, but then again, I have no debts and my income is substantial.”
It sounded reasonable enough, Mary supposed. “Might I ask who the other lady might be?”
Reaching the grand staircase, the duke disengaged himself from her and said, “I fear that would be too much information for me to disclose at present. Perhaps when I determine whether or not she is likely to reciprocate my high regard?”
“Of course,” Mary said, sensing that she was being dismissed.
He gave a curt nod. “Perhaps we can continue our tour some other time?”
Mary doubted that such a time would ever present itself, but she dipped her head in agreement anyway and quietly said, “By all means.”
Returning to her bedchamber that evening after dinner, Mary found a note waiting for her from Richard, inviting her to meet him in the usual spot. Changing out of her gown and into a more practical day dress, Mary exchanged her slippers with her walking boots and went in search of the man who’d stolen her heart. He was waiting for her in the antechamber, light flickering across his unmasked face, allowing her to glimpse the change in his expression the moment he saw her.
Warmth captured his eyes and the edge of his mouth drew upward into a smile of absolute appreciation. “I did not expect to see you again so soon,” he said, stepping away from the wall and coming toward her. His hands captured hers, the touch evoking a flurry within the pit of her stomach. “But I understand that Rotridge has left—the threat of him no longer hanging over you.”
“I can scarcely believe it,” Mary confessed. Gazing up, she allowed herself to be captured by his gaze, welcoming the brief caress of his lips against hers—soft, gentle and filled with so much adoration that her heart almost burst from her chest.
“Let us take advantage of it,” he said, not voicing the concerns that Mary knew he surely had. There were questions to be asked. Why had Rotridge left? Where had he gone? And would he be back? All were ignored in favor of savoring the moment. “Come with me. I have a surprise for you.”
