Then she would speak to Paxton again.
So, as much as it pained her to do it, Loretta stayed in the chair, her chest tight, her stomach quivering, and she did the only thing she could do. She laid her head against the back of the chair, closed her eyes, and remembered thethrill of being caught up in the duke’s strong embrace, the taste of his lips on hers, and the feel of his hands on her breasts.
She didn’t understand why the feelings she’d had for the duke were so different from the ones she’d had for the viscount. Lord Denningcourt wasn’t an old, horrible man. While the duke was kissing her, she kept thinking that it was the way kisses were supposed to make a person feel. It was those exhilarating sensations she’d hoped would happen when the viscount had pressed his lips to hers. She would have joyfully married the man if she’d felt the same deep-in-her-soul passion for him that she’d experienced when the duke had held and kissed her.
“Miss Quick.”
Loretta’s eyes popped open. Mrs. Huddleston was standing in the doorway.
“Yes?” She cleared her throat and rose. Her housekeeper couldn’t have known what she was thinking about; all the same, Loretta didn’t like getting caught thinking about kissing the duke.
“His Grace is here.”
“I heard him arrive. That is, I assumed it was him when I heard someone at the door.”
“He was asking if you might join him and Mr. Quick in the drawing room.”
“Oh.” Her heart fluttered excitedly. He’d asked for her. So soon? Did that mean he and Paxton had already reached an agreement and he wanted her to know? No, she wouldn’t frighten herself by thinking anything like that. Paxton had told her he wouldn’t agree to the marriage. So she would wait and hear what he had to say. Inhaling deeply, she tried to calm the rapid thumping of her heart. “Thank you for letting me know.”
“Should I get Nollie to stay with Farley?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Mrs. Huddleston turned away, but Loretta called to her and said, “Farley is well enough to be cantankerous now.”
“I noticed,” Mrs. Huddleston said.
“We’ll need to get him up and moving about soon. Will you see what you can do about getting some appropriate clothing for him?”
“I’ll be glad to, miss. I can rework something from Arnold’s wardrobe until Mr. Huddleston goes back to Grimsfield. There’s a lady there who does a real fine stitch with cloth.”
“That sounds good. And maybe you could see to it that his hair is trimmed and given a better shape.”
“Bitsy is better at that than I would be, but I’ll take care of seeing that it’s done. He’s not very friendly, but I’m glad the little fellow is better.”
“So am I. I must admit I had my doubts at times that he would make it to recover.”
“I think we all did,” Mrs. Huddleston responded.
“Maybe he needs more to occupy his mind. Would you ask Mr. Huddleston to see if he can find a shop in Grimsfield where he can buy Farley some wooden soldiers, horses, a carriage or two, or something to help keep him entertained now that he’s better?”
A wide smile crossed her housekeeper’s face. “Mr. Huddleston will enjoy finding Farley something to play with. I’m sure he’ll know the usual things a boy his age would want to amuse himself with in the evenings.”
“And before you go, did Paxton say anything about—the duke staying for dinner or for the night?” she asked cautiously.
“No, miss, but he came in a carriage this time. A big fancy one with a driver all dressed up as if he was a memberof the King’s Guard. The black doors are as shiny as sunshine gleaming on water. They have red and gold crests painted on them, too.”
Loretta gasped. “Mrs. Huddleston, did you peek inside the duke’s carriage?”
“I did. Dark-rose velvet cushions on the inside that look like nobody’s ever put a rump on them. Mr. Huddleston was watching to make sure no one caught me. I didn’t touch it, though I wanted to. He’s got four big gray horses hitched to that carriage.” Mrs. Huddleston stopped, shook her head, and smiled broadly. “Can’t blame him for having that many with him after what happened the last time he came here. Guess he didn’t want to get caught having to stay overnight again in case one of his horses went lame. He has three extra ones now.”
The housekeeper turned away chuckling. Loretta laughed, too, and wiped her hands down the skirt of her dress. She then tucked some stray strands of hair into the chignon at the back of her neck while she took in several deep breaths.
If luck was with her, and Paxton was true to his word, this would be the last time she had to see the tempting duke. Paxton would turn him down, and that would be the end of it. The duke would approach a different man for his sister. The thought of that should have made her happy, but all it left her with was a cold, empty feeling inside.
Hoping to show more courage than she was feeling at the moment, Loretta walked into the drawing room with head and shoulders high. The duke was standing near the window. A slice of sunshine beamed on him. Oh, he was such a handsome man. He wore a dark-green coat and brown waistcoat that had large leather buttons. He stood tall, strapping in black knee boots and buff-colored breeches. And Lord help her, he was a feast for her eyes.
“Your Grace.” She stopped just inside the entrance and curtsied.
