Despite his serious manner, Andrew smirked. “You were saying?”
His gaze darting to his sister, Richard waited until she waved a hand. “His Grace told you to continue,” she whispered hoarsely.
Richard took an exaggerated deep breath. “My brother Robert kissed Lady Phoebe during the district ball and asked if she would be his wife,” he blurted. “Told her they would marry when he returned from his Grand Tour, and then he kissed her again,” he added, his face screwed up in a grimace.
Angelika straightened, her gaze immediately going to Andrew. “Is he speaking of the same Lady Phoebe?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“If she is the daughter of the current Earl of Appleby, then yes,” he replied.
“So... youhavemet her?” If Andrew never left his house, then Lady Phoebe would have had to pay a call on him at Dunfey Park to make his acquaintance.
“I havenot. The earl’s estate is about ten miles from here. He and my father were good friends back in their day.”
“Did you know about the betrothal?”
Andrew winced. “I remember when my father informed me—I think I was twelve at the time.” He paused when Angelika suddenly sobbed. He took a step in her direction, intending to take her hand. When she took a matching step back, a look of pain crossed his face. “He had made arrangements with Appleby as a means of shoring up the ducal accounts with a generous dowry. But...” He dipped his head. “I received a letter from her two years ago asking if I would be so kind as to release her from the agreement. She had met someone who wished to marry her—”
“My brother, Robert,” Richard interrupted.
The duke acknowledged the boy’s comment with an arched brow. “Apparently so. She did not mention a name, and I thought she merely wished to break off our betrothal because she had come to believe the rumors about me,” Andrew explained. “Thought me to be a beast or... horribly disfigured.”
Angelika swallowed another sob. “Of which you are neither,” she whispered. In a louder voice, she asked, “Does the dukedom still require her dowry?”
Giving a start, Andrew said, “No. No. Our accounts are in good stead.”
“Did you...?” She couldn’t finish the question, fearing how he would answer.
“I wrote back releasing her from our betrothal, and I promised to send best wishes when I learned of her new betrothal. I heard nothing after that.”
Angelika left out the breath she’d been holding. “Oh.”
“I have set Pruitt straight on the matter, and he is sorry for having caused consternation.”
“Oh, Andrew,” she whispered.
“Andrew?” Richard repeated, his shocked gaze darting between his sister and the duke. “Who’s Andrew?”
The duke allowed a teasing grin. “If you find kissing abhorrent, you’d best close your eyes, future brother,” he warned.
Richard blinked. “What does abhorrent mean?”
Andrew had already gathered Angelika into his arms and was kissing her quite thoroughly, which had Richard emitting a sound of disgust as he fled the library.
When Andrew finally came up for air, he gazed down on Angelika with an expression of humor. “Probably not the best impression to leave with the poor boy,” he murmured.
“Oh, he’ll get past it,” she countered. “And probably seek you out for advice when he experiences his first crush.”
Andrew burst out laughing. “You say that as if you think I have any experience in the matter?”
She gave him a prim grin. “Do you considermea crush?”
He sobered and once again drew her in for a kiss. “Well, I certainly fell for you, even if it was into the snow,” he replied. “I may fall again if I don’t get something to eat.”
Angelika stood on tiptoes and kissed him. “Then join me for a luncheon? We can eat right here,” she offered as she pulled him to the library table where Bronson had left a tray of food featuring sliced meats, cheese and bread.
“You are the consummate hostess,” he remarked, holding a chair for her.
She beamed in delight as she sat and they shared a late afternoon meal.
