Page 31 of A Spinster to Reform the Duke
“You have been very kind to us,” Rebecca said with a sigh, looking up at the Duke in amazement.
“What do you know, I’m a man with a heart,” he said, waggling his eyebrows. “More than how the scandal sheets paint me, after all.” She smiled at his jest, just as he turned their focus down to the tea tray. “I see you have not yet taken your tea.”
“I was distracted with my thoughts.”
“Then please, drink and eat something. I do not wish to see you in the state your sister is in.” He hurried to sit before his coffee table and poured out her tea. When she sat in the chair opposite him, she felt his eyes were keenly upon her, never leaving her face.
“You do not need to look after me, Your Grace.”
“I do not need to, that is true, yet I find myself wanting to do it anyway,” he smiled with the words, making her roll her eyes, clearly enough for him to see. He laughed at her reaction. “Allow the foolish ways of a friend.”
“You have been a good friend to us today. Very much so,” she murmured in thought. He had kept a cool head when Eliza had fainted, taking control and urging a course of action to see her recovered. “Thank you.”
“Any time, my Lady,” he said as he poured his own tea.
That smile made something inside of her writhe with delight. Then it hurt, remembering just who he was, and the words he had uttered as they had walked in that park that morning.
‘I am not capable of love.’
It brought home how great a fool she had become. Not only did she now care for a rake, but a man who announced himselfincapableof love.
Shut down your heart, Rebecca. It is the only way to stop yourself falling for him.
“You have been kind, Your Grace, but if you are needed elsewhere, please do not feel you have to stay by my side and be a good host,” she hurried to speak, hoping she could part from his company. This was what she would have to do if she were to succeed in stopping this growing affection for him. Part from him for good. “I do not wish you to feel obligated to stay here.”
“Obligated? I do not feel that.” He assured her as he cut a slice of cake and offered it toward her. “Lemon cake. It is very good, I promise you. My cook has made these cakes since I was a little boy. I can vouch no other cake is better.” There was something about this detail from his childhood that made her take the cake, eager to try something he so adored. “I will not part from your side just yet, my Lady.”
“Why not?” she asked as she delved into the cake. At once her expression changed, for the cake was divine.
“I know. It always has that reaction from me,” he said, pointing at her face with the cake fork before he took a bite of his own piece. “I will not go just yet, as right now you need someone. It was a shock to see your sister swoon in such a way. I am happy to be the person you need at your side right now.”
The words stunned her, making her hang the fork in the air, staring at him open mouthed. He only made her heart ache all the more.
“Do me a favor, Your Grace.”
“What is that?” he asked.
“Do not show me how good your heart is.” She had clearly shocked him too, for he looked up from his cake.
“You think I have a good heart?” He laughed at the idea. “No one has ever said that before. I do not believe it to be true.”
“The more I know you, the more I know it to be true, unfortunately.”
“Why is that unfortunate?” His perceptive question made her look back down at the cake, trying to busy herself so she did not have to answer.
She was saved from answering when the door opened. Lord Herberton walked in, with Eliza on his arm, looking bright and well again, and Amelia standing beside them, smiling gleefully.
* * *
Timothy followed behind the group as they made their way back to the carriage on the driveway. Try as he might, he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes away from lady Rebecca. He was too busy thinking of what she had said back in the sitting room, claiming he had a good heart.
No one has described me as such before. Especially no lady.
“Lady Eliza,” Alexander’s conversation could be heard as he escorted Lady Eliza into the carriage, never once letting go of her hand. “I hope you are fully recovered soon.”
“Pray, you must release my sister’s hand at some point, my Lord,” Rebecca teased as she stood beside him outside of the carriage, waiting for her turn to climb up. “Or you will have to run alongside our carriage for the journey.” Her words made them all laugh as Alexander released Lady Eliza’s hand and went to help Lady Birkston into the carriage next.
“My Lord, Your Grace,” Lady Birkston said, looking at Alexander and Timothy in turn as he moved to his friend’s side, the better to stand nearer to Lady Rebecca. “I do not know how to thank you for your kindness. You showed true care for my daughter today.” As she spoke, she laid a palm upon her daughter’s hand sat beside her on the carriage bench.
