Page 18 of Her Beastly Duke
CHAPTER 8
Polly had finished arranging her gowns and she assisted Briar with her bath. Once dressed Briar decided to pass the time by reading a volume she brought from her home library. Polly left Briar to her own devices after she stroked the fire; sparks and embers danced in the fireplace. The flames flickered and gently swayed to the wind. Briar curled up on the sofa and resumed reading the chapter where she had left off. Shortly thereafter, her eyelids grew heavy. It could only be the fire’s magnetic pull, like a hypnotizing dance it lured her in, and she embraced the warmth. It was so cozy and comforting. Briar came awake with a start when there was a knock on her door.
“Come in.” She beckoned groggily.
“I am here to dress you, my lady,” Polly announced.
Briar could hardly believe it was time for dinner. How long had she slept? She quickly secured the book she was reading and stood up from the sofa. Polly had selected two gowns and carefully laid them on the bed, but she wanted a more flattering dress for her willowy figure. She decided on a lightweight chiffon dinner dress with a fitted bodice and an open neckline, which complimented her shapely cleavage. The sleeves had minimumruffles and lace, and the skirt swept the floor. She looked at herself in the oval mirror as Polly pinned her hair. Why did she want to look beautiful for the duke? She was being silly.
Once satisfied with her appearance, she went to the dining room. The door opened to the warm enclave, which she welcomed after the cold draft in the hall. The duke stood up to greet her and she noticed he was not wearing a mask. He was handsomely dressed in a black dress coat, white vest, and wing collar with a white bow. His black breaches were well-tailored to his strong thighs.
“I trust you rested well.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I did not realize how much time had passed.”
The duke pulled her chair out, and Briar sat down.
“I busied myself with correspondence this afternoon and was surprised at how quickly the time had passed.”
Otis announced dinner was ready, and the footmen served the first course. The duke turned to Otis, “You may leave us until the next course.”
“Certainly, Your Grace,” Otis replied.
They were alone. Briar was suddenly keenly aware of the duke, even more so than before. She could not explain why, but her nerves were suddenly on edge. They sat, gazing at each other, and the candle's light played over his face. The silence had gone on for far too long, so she rushed to fill it.
“Do you not find the day-to-day task of running the estate tedious?” She directed her attention to her food, and they both began to eat.
“I suppose some aspects are quite repetitive. I often indulge in my pastimes, so I do not pretend to always be at work, which brings me to my question. Where did you learn to fence? You are almost as good as me.”
“I believe you are mistaken, Your Grace. It wasmethat bestedyou.”The cheeky sod. The scars had done little to dampen his confidence in this regard.
Julius chuckled. “Was it?”
“You lost your rapier, did you not?”
“I am happy it is you who raised the point. In keeping with the etiquette of the sport, should you not have followed the rules? The fencer who is still armed should pick up the rapier and rearm his adversary … courteously.”
“I can hardly argue that point, Your Grace.” Briar heard her rich laughter before she realized it had burst from her. Looking back on the situation it was all now quite humorous. “I needed to make a hasty retreat, so I did not think it was the best time to arm my opponent.”
“I see.”
“I actually learned to play by watching Duncan. I suppose his tutor humored me because he realized Duncan and I were very close. Neither of them thought that I would study the sport and understand it. So, one day, I challenged Duncan to a match before the tutor arrived. Of course, he refused until I asked if he was afraid I would beat him.”
Briar had the duke’s full attention, and it warmed her. She enjoyed recounting her childhood memories.
“Do not keep me in suspense. Did you beat him?”
“Not on that day. However, what I did was to prove that I had skills that could be developed. Duncan was so engrossed in fighting that we did not know when his tutor entered the room. From then on, I had lessons with Duncan and soon beat him.”
“Why am I not surprised? You are quite tenacious.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I suppose your experience was quite different.”
“Somewhat. I did have a tutor until I decided that I wanted to spar more often and with young men of different abilities.”
“Having a tutor was not challenging enough for you?”
“I wanted more unpredictability. I found that much more stimulating and exciting.”
