An attractive, stomach-quaking grin lifted one side of his attractive mouth, and her legs went weak. His features were all masculine. Long straight nose, sculpted lips, and a strong, determined chin made up a face that seemed to beckon her to draw closer.
“That is the most convoluted answer I have ever heard, Miss Prim.”
It was. She knew that. But it was the best she could do under his continued scrutiny that had her feeling as if butterflies were fluttering in her chest and drowning her attempts at taking normal breaths. She’d always thought she was fairly good at matching wits with anyone, until today. The marquis was quite adept.
“I was speaking only to the care of your nephews and for this reason, if I might be so bold, to offer a suggestion.”
“At this point, it would surprise me greatly if you were any way other than bold.”
She hoped that was a compliment and not a disparagement, but she couldn’t be sure which and would have to study over that later. “Master Heron told me their governess had taken ill on your journey here and you thought it best to leave her behind so that she might be comfortable while getting well.”
His attractive, summer green eyes looked suspiciously at her for the second time. “That’s right. I made arrangements with the innkeeper’s wife to look after Mrs. Barstaple and see to it she has everything she needs. Why are you inquiring about her?”
“I know Crispin has a hunt planned tomorrow for the gentlemen and other things for the days ahead.”
“The duke allows you to call him by his first name?”
She gave him a curious look. “Though I am his sister-in-law, he considers me his sister. He insists we don’t stand on ceremony when we are together. Of course, I refer to him as Your Grace at all appropriate times.”
His eyes narrowed just enough to let her know he didn’t believe that for a second.
Lillian cleared her throat. “Perhaps this is one of those appropriate times and I should refer to him as Your Grace when talking to you.” She could tell he was studying over her pronouncement, so she continued. “I wanted you to know that I would be willing to keep watch on Master Heron and Master Fallon so you can join Crispin, that is, His Grace, and the others on the hunt tomorrow.”
“Would you now?”
By his curious expression she worried that he doubted her sincerity. “If it’s their studies you’re concerned about, I’m quite skilled in writing, some of the sciences, and mathematics. Not all, of course.” She paused, and then couldn’t help herself. She smiled and added, “As well as playing.”
To her surprise, he smiled too. A beautiful disarming smile that warmed her all the way to her toes.
“I will attest to your skills in playing and take you at your word on your other abilities. What troubles me is why you would want to burden yourself with two boys and their lessons?”
“First, I wouldn’t consider it a burden.”And neither should you,she wanted to add but held her tongue on that point. “I would enjoy having something to do other than listen to my sister talk about the babe she’s expecting in the spring, menus, needlework, and people I don’t know. I not only have two older sisters, I have two younger sisters, Sybil and Bonnie. I’m used to spending time with them during each day.”
“But they aren’t here?”
“Not yet. We expect them to arrive before Christmas Eve.”
“Having only sisters, Miss Prim, I don’t think you realize how rowdy boys can be. They will squabble over almost everything.”
A shadow of sadness passed over Lillian, and she looked into the distance at the barren snow-covered trees. “I had a brother,” she answered softly. “He was killed in a carriage accident on Rotten Row.”
“Viscount Waverly. I’m sorry. I should have remembered that.”
“It’s all right,” she said, returning her attention to the marquis. “It’s been over six years since Nathan died.”
“Still,” he said compassionately, “I know it’s never easy to lose a loved one.”
Lillian shook off the memories of how devastated all the sisters were to lose their brother to say, “No, it isn’t. And after having suffered losses yourself, I hope you can understand why I was upset with myself for inadvertently adding to your nephews’ great grief. I felt I had to make that up to them and leave them with something other than sad thoughts for the rest of the day.”
His expression softened. “They were definitely enjoying themselves by the time I came out, Miss Prim.”
She appreciated the fact he admitted that. “And if you think girls can’t be as rambunctious as boys, it’s because you haven’t met my younger sisters. I can assure you their squeals can make you cover your ears and their antics can turn a house upside down in a matter of a few minutes. And there’s no need for you to worry should the boys argue. I am the middle child of the five girls. Often I found myself too old to play with the younger girls and too young to be part of the conversation with the older two. But one thing I was always the right age for, and that was to be the peacemaker between the four.”
He smiled again, and the most wonderful sensation in the world washed over her. There was something engaging about him, about the way he made her feel when he looked so deeply into her eyes, that it made her breath catch in her throat. She didn’t understand the powerful emotion that bubbled up inside her, but she hoped it wouldn’t go away. She wanted it to settle inside her innermost being and become a part of her.
“In that case,” he said, “I’ll accept your offer to watch over Fallon and Heron tomorrow and see to it their lessons are progressing.”
“Thank you,” she said, suddenly almost feeling shy.
