“Miss Quick.” He bowed.
She noticed that his gaze never left her face, because hers didn’t leave his. She didn’t understand why, but it made her feel wonderful to just see him again.
“There you are,” Paxton said, walking over to her and kissing her on each cheek as he whispered, “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine.”
That was what she was afraid of.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said, as cheerfully as Paxton had greeted her. “Mrs. Huddleston said you asked for me.” She walked farther into the room.
“Yes, I wanted you to join us,” the duke said. “Your brother and I have finished discussing the particulars of my proposal to him.”
Loretta’s throat tightened. She looked at Paxton, who stood in front of the fireplace. He seemed happy as a lark singing from a budding tree on the first day of spring. But she couldn’t read anything into that. Her brother always appeared happy. She didn’t know how he managed to do it, but he was seldom without a smile on his face.
“Oh,” she said softly, giving her attention back to the duke.
“It didn’t take long. I asked that he not give me an answer today. I want him to think about my proposal.”
A measure of hope soared through her. Perhaps that meant he was considering other gentlemen for Lady Adele, after all.
“That’s very generous of you, but surprises me,” she said.
“I thought it might. However, my reasoning is not whatever it is that just made your eyes light up with hope that this match might never take place.”
Loretta felt like stomping her foot in frustration. His perception was too keen to be believed.
“You do like to imagine that you can decipher what I am thinking, don’t you?”
“And you like to imagine that I am always wrong.” The duke chuckled softly. “I wanted you both here so I could extend an invitation for the two of you to come for a visit to Hawksthorn in the very near future. I talked with Lady Adele a few days ago, and she’d like to meet both of you before we go any further with this arrangement.”
“That’s a most gracious invitation, Your Grace,” Paxton said, his wide smile beaming with joy. “And yes, thank you, I’d like very much to go to Hawksthorn and meet Lady Adele.”
“And you, Miss Quick?” the duke asked as much with his eyes as his words.
Loretta’s lashes lowered for a second or two before she sought his gaze once again. “Thank you for the invitation, but I must decline.”
He studied her a moment. “My sister would feel more comfortable if you accompanied your brother, and I thought you would want to be there to give him wise counsel.”
Yes, she would love to go to Hawksthorn. To be there for Paxton and to meet Lady Adele, but she couldn’t.
“If you are afraid that you won’t be properly chaperoned, I assure you in my house you will be. Our widowed cousin lives with us and she’s a force to be reckoned with when it comes to making sure everything is as it should be in our home.”
“No, that’s not the problem at all, Your Grace,” Paxton said, stepping forward. “It’s nothing of the kind. We would have no fear for Loretta’s reputation while in your care. It’s because of our uncle. He prefers that Loretta stay at Mammoth House and not travel.”
The duke’s eyes darkened, narrowed. His brows and forehead creased into a tight frown. “Ever?”
“For now, that is how it is,” Loretta answered.
“I see. I didn’t realize that.”
Loretta’s gaze stayed on the duke’s. “It was kind of you to make the offer. Especially considering the fact you know my feelings so well.”
“You know I appreciate a fair fight.” The duke turned to Paxton. “Mr. Quick, I brought a gift for your sister but forgot and left it in the carriage, or perhaps it’s in my satchel. My driver will know where to look for it. Would you mind going out and asking him to get it for you to bring back to me?”
“Not at all. I’ll be happy to. I’ll go right now.”
“Thank you.”
As Paxton was walking out with the usual buoyant bounce in his step, the duke was walking closer to Loretta. His concerned expression hadn’t changed. “Does the earl forbid you to travel anywhere for any reason?”
