Page 10 of A Torn Allegiance
“Understood. And do you mind if I offer a few suggestions?”
“By all means.”
“We shall avoid all talk of marriage.”
He choked and then recovered, dabbing his mouth. “So I may not propose on this visit to the park?”
She shook her head. “You may, but do not expect a favorable response.”
“Understood.” His look of pure enjoyment as he studied her face brought warmth to her cheeks.
“But I didn’t mean personal talk of marriage; I hold a general dislike of the fascination with marriage that seems to permeate the air I breathe.”
“You will be pleased to hear that it does not permeate my air.” His general ease and good humor won her over slightly more to enjoying his company.
“I would like to discuss books, however, and perhaps one poet in particular,” she said.
“And whom shall I review before I come?”
“I shan’t tell.”
“Ah, a test.” He sat taller. “I feel myself up to the task.”
“Are you that well-read?” Though she already knew him to be, she wondered what he would say.
“I don’t claim to be profoundly well-read, no. But perhaps we can discuss some of our favorite passages in all of literature.”
“I would like that.” The walk tomorrow promised to be enjoyable indeed.
Was he someone to be concerned with, really? Were her father’s suspicions completely unfounded? Her own thoughts regarding the prince were as varied as a whirlwind that caught a pile of leaves into the air—one minute suspecting him, the next admiring him, and around again.
The dinner continued into dessert, and then it was time for the women to leave the men to their port. Usually Elsie found this moment of any dinner a pleasant reprieve, but today she was loathe to leave the prince’s side.
She suspected the three dukes and the heir to a throne might have much to discuss that she would find interesting. She refused to think she merely wished to stay because Prince Hayes had proved to be the most interesting. But he had, and of course, that would lend itself to improve the men’s conversation as well.
Her mother linked arms with her as they followed the Duchess of Grant into a lovely well-lit sitting room.
“What do you think of the prince?” Her mother’s soft whisper made Elsie smile.
“He’s frank and cheerful and well-read.”
She dipped her head closer with a wide smile. “I’m astonished he has made such a favorable impression so soon.”
“Favorable? I said only three positive things of note.”
Lady Sophie wrapped her hands around Elsie’s other arm. “Has she said three positive things about him already?”
Elsie laughed. “Am I that severe?”
“Certainly not. Not always.” Lady Sophie tried to hide her grin.
Mother clucked. “Frank, cheerful, and well-read. They are three of the finest qualities to be expected in any man, are they not?”
“Yes, they are,” Elsie said. “Though I hadn’t considered before now.”
“Perhaps we should consider.”
She studied her mother’s face, her interested eyes, her smiling mouth, and felt her own eyes narrow. “Mother.”
