Page 29 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

Jonathan puffed out his chest. “I think not.”

“It will be quite proper,” Daphne assured him. “My husband and I will be there. The Castwell Art Gallery is a most respectable place and very public. We shall bring her back directly. All will be well.”

Jonathan opened his mouth, clearly planning to argue, but Christian spoke up, sounding just as disinterested as before.

“Shall we ask Lady Thalia what she would like?”

Jonathan reddened further.

Thalia bit back a smile.

There is nothing my brother would like less than to ask what I would like. But in company, he can hardly pretend to be careless of my interests.

Sure enough, Jonathan glanced from face to face with increasing annoyance. The Earl’s expression remained cool and stony, giving nothing away. Daphne kept up a pleasant but determined smile. Christian simply stared at him, lips faintly curled, as if he knew a secret nobody else did.

At last, Thalia cleared her throat. “I would like to go, Jonathan. There’ll be no harm in it. If you could postpone your engagement, perhaps you could come with us.”

He won’t. He despises art galleries, and he hates men like the Earl and Christian.

Now that she thought about it, the Earl of Trowbridge had occasionally been featured in the scandal sheets, generally alongside Christian. There were others too, a little group of rakes who seemed to be causing havoc in London. The Earl’s recent marriage to Daphne had occasioned a good deal of talk, but as far as she could tell, the two were extremely happy.

“Very well,” Jonathan snapped. “But I shall tell you now, Your Grace, that I would like to receive prior notice if you plan to take my sister on outings. That is not too much to ask, I think.”

“Not at all,” Daphne answered on Christian’s behalf. “Well, we should leave shortly, anyway. Put on your shawl, Lady Thalia.”

Thalia scuttled out of the room before Jonathan could think up an excuse to keep her behind.

Do I want to go? she wondered, snatching a shawl from her wardrobe. Surely, I cannot be looking forward to spending time with that wretched fellow and his dubious friends.

Of course, this trip to the gallery was in pursuit of Laura. It had nothing to do with her, but Jonathan would draw only one conclusion: that Christian was trying to court her.

Well, Christian is a bigger prize than Mr. Pembroke. But then, a bigger catch is harder to reel in. Jonathan is a careful man.

No time to worry about that.

Throwing her shawl around her shoulders, Thalia hurried back downstairs.

Their guests had moved to the foyer, standing in front of the open door. A grand, green-gilt carriage waited outside. Was it the same carriage that had taken her to Christian’s house last night? No, she thought not.

Jonathan stepped in front of her before she could join them.

“I trust you’ll be sensible,” he hissed. “Lady Trowbridge is the only reason I am letting you go. You are not to be separated from her, do you understand?”

“Yes, Jonathan.”

“And you must be careful. The Duke’s interest in you…” He paused, considering. “It confuses me. He is not seeking an heiress. He is a rake, but something in his manner… Well, never mind. Tread carefully, but remain open to possibilities. A very great match might lie in your future, Sister.”

Oh, I think not, Thalia thought sourly, but contented herself with a faint smile and a nod.

Jonathan gave a tight, thin-lipped smile and patted her cheek. “Try and enjoy yourself,” he said, stepping aside.

The others had now moved outside. She noticed a pair of horses saddled up and waiting beside the carriage.

“Edwin and I prefer to ride,” Daphne explained. “But Christian has brought the carriage. However, if you prefer to ride with me, then…”

“I shall be fine,” Thalia responded firmly and immediately regretted it.

An uncomfortable, bumpy ride on somebody else’s horse would surely be better than an awkward journey with only herself and Christian in the carriage.