“And might I add that you looked quite dashing when you emerged from the water, holding the carp up like a trophy.”
Truth was, he’d looked rather scandalous with his white shirt and breeches plastered to his solid frame. She flushed just thinking about it.
He shook his head and finally smiled, just a little. “I think I’m beginning to understand why you’re still unattached, Miss Townsbridge. You’re clearly attracted to the bizarre.”
“Not at all,” she answered gamely. “But I did enjoy your company today. Far more than I expected.”
“Then I gather you still intend to call on me tomorrow for a tour of the folly?”
“If you will permit.”
They arrived at her door and she called for the butler to come and assist them. Brunswick handed over the fish and the servant went to deposit it in the kitchen.
“You’ll have to bring your parents or one of your brothers. A maid won’t suffice when it comes to paying an unmarried man a visit in his home.”
“Not to worry. I have no interest in ruination.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” He cleared his throat and gave a short bow. “Good day, Miss Townsbridge.”
Sarah bobbed a small curtsey. “Your Grace.”
“Well?” Athena asked as soon as the door was shut.
Sarah jumped. “Goodness. Where did you come from?”
“I live here as well. Now tell me, how did it go?”
Sarah started climbing the stairs with Athena in her wake. “He’s not an easy man to ignore.”
“So what happened?”
“We talked, argued, made up, and caught a fish.” Sarah turned left at the top of the landing and continued toward her bedchamber in silence. Apparently, her sister had no idea what to say to any of this. Which was fine since Sarah wasn’t sure how to explain it or what to feel or anything really. The morning hadn’t gone as she’d expected - not even close. Rather than hating every second she’d spent in Brunswick’s company, she’d ended up enjoying herself tremendously. “He’s actually not that bad.”
“What?”
Sarah blinked. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Well, what was done was done. Turning, she told Athena, “I’m going over to his home tomorrow to see a folly he’s building.”
“Next door?”
“Yes. In his back garden.” The more she thought of it, the more excited she was to see his creation. She’d not lied when she said he’d spoken of it with great passion. It was his project - something he cared about - and this alone was enough to spark her curiosity. She realized Athena was gaping at her. “I’ll have to have a proper escort, of course. Hopefully, Mama and Papa won’t mind.”
Athena just nodded.
“Did I not tell you to stay away from him?” Sarah’s father asked that evening at dinner when Sarah mentioned her walk with Brunswick. He and his wife had both been out for most of the day, so Sarah had not had the chance to broach the subject until now. “I thought I was very clear.”
“You were, Papa, and I did not thwart your wishes,” Sarah assured him. “The duke came to call on me entirely of his own volition. I couldn’t very well turn him away when he went to the trouble of bringing flowers.”
“The bouquet of roses in the parlor?” Mama asked. “I wondered where those had come from.”
Papa shook his head as if in defeat and groaned before taking another bite of his food.
“Brunswick has invited me to visit his home tomorrow afternoon,” Sarah said, “and since I cannot go alone, I’m hoping you will be able to join me.”
“Unfortunately, we have a prior engagement with the Glenfitches tomorrow,” Sarah’s mother explained. “I’m sorry, but it would be horribly rude of us to cancel at such short notice.”
“Of course,” Sarah said. She pondered her less agreeable options. “I’ll have to ask one of my brothers then.”
“Are you sure you want to further your acquaintance with him, Sarah?” Her father gave her a direct look. “Visiting his home immediately after he brought you flowers would suggest an interest on your part.”
