Page 73 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Lavender forced her eyes to remain on Lord Chilcott and not allow them to roam to the corner where Tom stood, listening. To have this conversation with Tom in the room was the worst sort of torture, and yet, there was no avoiding it if she wanted the opportunity to see the Duke of Fenleigh.

She watched Lord Chilcott’s eyes roam her face as he smiled. “I believe my intentions have been quite clear from the beginning.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “But your attitude about those intentions seems to have changed over the course of time.”

Lord Chilcott looked rightfully chagrined. “You would be correct.” His gaze shifted to the other ladies that were there. “Would you like to continue our conversation during a walk around the garden?”

Lavender felt her stomach tighten. Even after she’d told him about not wanting to be around bees that day at Gunter’s Tea Shop, he would ask this of her? It was a lowering thought. But she hadn’t come to him because of this thoughtfulness. She came here because this was one of her last available options. “Do you recall that gardens make me quite nervous during the day? There are so many bees about.”

“Come now, how often does one get stung by a bee?” He smiled at her.

“Far more often than I’d like,” she muttered.

Miriam cut into the conversation. “Perhaps it would be better if you remained indoors and the dowager and I waited by the door?”

Lord Chilcott nodded. “Thank you. I do appreciate the privacy.”

Miriam laughed. “Oh, the door will remain open. And I will be listening. I am her chaperone after all. Unlike Miss Dalrymple, I understand the importance of such things.”

“Of course.”

The dowager and Miriam stood and walked toward the door. The dowager motioned for Tom to follow them out. Lavender relaxed a little. At least Tom wouldn’t have to be in the room while she begged for a proposal.

“You asked about my intentions,” Lord Chilcott began. “I intend to court you, to see if we make a good match.”

Lavender nodded and did her best to forget that Tom could likely hear their conversation. “Have you made up your mind on the matter?”

Lord Chilcott clasped Lavender’s hand. “Is there a rush?”

She nodded. “I’m afraid there is, my lord. It is my father’s dying wish to see me happily married. I do not know how much longer he has to live.”

“I see,” he ran his thumb across her knuckles, but no tingle ran up her arm, no feeling of contentment settled over her.

“What is it that makes you hesitate?”

Lord Chilcott shifted to sit on the sofa beside her. “My feelings for you are growing every day, but I cannot make you an offer of marriage right now.”

“Would you be able to provide me with any reason not to sever our acquaintance now? I’ve discovered you with an unmarried woman: you will forgive me if I have my doubts about your growing affections.”

Lord Chilcott’s eyes flicked between hers, clearly at war with what he wanted to say. “Miss Dalrymple has proven herself to be helpful to prove that Fenleigh is guilty.”

“In what ways? Could I not also be of assistance?”

“Let me think on it. There may be a way you could help me. Would you meet me in Hyde Park tomorrow at eleven?”

Lavender’s throat closed off for a moment. If she was correct, this would be the time Lord Chilcott was going to publicly humiliate her. Little did he know that his efforts would be in vain. “I could arrange that.”

“I need to see Fenleigh behind bars,” he whispered. “Until that time, I am single-minded.”

“You would choose him over me?”

His chest deflated. “It sounds awful, I know. But I cannot rest until I see this through. Could you be so kind as to give me three more days before you give up on me?”

No, she absolutely would not. Lord Chilcott was perhaps the most selfish person she’d ever met. She would marry Mr. Lanscombe before she considered Lord Chilcott in earnest. “I will take things one day at a time, my lord.”

He nodded. “I will do my best to make things clear between us by tomorrow. You have my word.”

Unfortunately, she trusted him on that score.