Page 20 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

She was angry. Very, very, angry.

How dare he take inappropriate liberties with her person and then apologize for it. As if what they’d shared had been wrong, or, as he put it, a “mistake.” Perhaps he was concerned that they would be discovered and he would be forced to marry her.

That stung. Once they had promised themselves to each other. Although the attraction was obviously still there, he apparently had no intention of pursuing anything permanent with her.

Well, that was fine. After the years of dodging Cyrus, and her father’s constant complaints about their delayed marriage, she was ready to enjoy spinsterhood. At twenty years, she was almost on the shelf, anyway. Mayhap, as Alex had suggested once before, she would become a notorious bluestocking spinster. She would hold soirees and gatherings to discuss philosophy and important political matters.

Except she cared not a whit for philosophy or politics.

…

The next morning, she checked herself in the mirror before joining Alex for their ride to the village. When it had first been suggested, she’d been thrilled, but after last night, she felt as though she was coercing him to spend time with her. Though he had been happy to ravish her, he otherwise did not seem to want much to do with her.

Chiding herself for the self-pity engulfing her, she tucked a loose curl into her bonnet and left her bedchamber. Alex stood at the entrance hall, conversing with Coombs. Every time she looked at Alex, it was as if she were seeing him for the first time. Well, at least her lungs and heart thought it was the first time. Her heart pounded, and her breathing increased. She must teach her body to behave itself, or she would either embarrass herself to death or give herself a heart attack.

“Ah, Lady Patience. Don’t you look fetching this morning.” Alex’s words and grin raised her spirits. He certainly did not look like a man who was being forced to drive her to the village. She smiled back and took his arm.

For the first time in days, sunshine greeted them as they left the house. A smart curricle stood at the ready, with two dark bay Thoroughbreds stamping and snorting, anxious to be on their way. Despite the conversation yesterday, it appeared he preferred to make the jaunt into the village without her maid, so he’d ordered his open carriage as a nod to propriety.

Alex assisted Patience into the vehicle then strode around to the other side, jumping up and settling next to her. “Ready?”

“Yes. I am so looking forward to this trip. I haven’t been to the village yet.”

Alex’s eyebrows rose. “Did Cyrus not take you there in all the time you were betrothed?”

Cyrus.

How she had loathed the man. Even from the very beginning, when she had been a mere sixteen years, she had disliked him. The few times he had kissed her, his breath reeking of brandy, she had felt the need to wash out her mouth with mint-flavored water when he was done.

&nbs

p; When she’d denied him the right to ravish her, he’d groped her breasts, causing pain, rather than the wonderful sensations Alex’s hands and mouth had wrought. The best year of her betrothal had been when he’d taken off to the Continent. God forgive her, but she’d prayed he’d never return.

“No. I was rarely at the Abbey during our betrothal. I spent most of my time at my family’s London home and country estate.”

Alex shook his head and snapped the reins to start up the curricle. No other words were spoken until they arrived at the village.

…

Alex rolled the curricle to a stop in front of the small village bookstore, The Book Stop. As a young man, he’d spent a lot of time with Mr. Wilbur, who owned the shop. Since so much time had passed after his last visit, Mr. Wilbur might not even be there.

The tinkle of a bell hanging over the door announced their entrance. Alex inhaled deeply, memories washing over him. So many lonely afternoons had been spent here, going through the bookshelves. Even though the duke had an extensive library, a young Alex had found very little in the way of interest there.

Here in the bookstore he so loved, he had spent his time examining each book, turning the pages and reading a few words. Normally, he would begin his visit by asking Mr. Wilbur what new books had arrived since his last visit. Mr. Wilbur had always set aside a tome or two he knew Alex would enjoy.

As their eyes grew used to the dimness, an older man shuffled his way from the back of the store. “Is that you, little Lord Alexander?” He moved closer and peered over the rims of his spectacles. “I hear you’re an important man now. Fought at Waterloo and took over your brother’s title.”

A wide grin split Alex’s face. “I don’t believe it. It is you, Mr. Wilbur! I wasn’t sure if you would still be here. It’s been a few years.”

The man nodded. “Most certainly, Lord Alexander. I’ve kept up with you, though. Read about your exploits in Belgium when we defeated Boney for the last time. Heard you routed out that spy who had escaped to the colonies, too. Lord Loverly. Wasn’t that his name?”

“Yes, that was him. A nasty fellow. Glad he’s behind bars.”

“I was sorry to hear about your father and brother, although I never met them. They weren’t as fond of my bookstore as you were.” Mr. Wilbur laughed a dry laugh and shuffled forward. “I am sorry, I should be calling you ‘Your Grace.’ Now, what can I do for you today? And who is this lovely lady? Your wife, the new duchess?”

Alex laughed at the old man who had factored so much in his youth. Damnation, it was good to see him again. “Let’s start with ‘Your Grace.’ Please don’t call me that as I am having a difficult time adjusting to it all without an old friend reminding me. Lord Alexander is fine.” He tugged Patience forward. “This lovely lady is Lady Patience Browning. She and her parents are visiting the Abbey.”

Wilbur bowed and gave her a worn-tooth smile. “It is my great pleasure to meet you, Lady Patience Browning. I had hoped this rascal here had finally settled down enough to take a wife and begin to fill his nursery.” He wagged his finger in Alex’s direction. “You are not getting any younger, you know.”