Page 7 of A Torn Allegiance
“But we needn’t discuss such things,” he said. “Tell me about your interests. Do you attend the opera or visit the museums? What can you recommend while I’m here?”
She pressed his arm with her hand before they exited the front door. “Do the tenants in your country suffer as much as some here?”
He opened his mouth but could make no sound initially. Then he cleared his throat. “Why yes, they do. Do you have a particular interest in this topic? It is the one weighing most heavily in my thoughts at the moment.”
“I do,” she said. “Among others that some might find unfit for a social dinner.”
When she didn’t continue, he hurried to say, “I might appreciate all such topics...” She didn’t answer, so he added, “Might I come calling for a walk in the park, then? If such topics are unfit for social occasions?”
They approached the open carriage door. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, glanced at her parents, and right when Hayes thought she might not answer at all, she said, “Yes, thank you.”
He helped her up into the carriage, and she allowed her hand to remain in his as little as possible. Then she sat next to her parents so he sat on the opposite side, and Bartholomew joined him at his side.
The duke shifted in his seat and then turned to Hayes. “So, Your Highness, what brings you to Englandagain?”
“Ah, you remember the other times my brothers and I have entered your shores.” Hayes nodded. “I have two of the family with me again on this trip, Prince Kristoff and Prince Marc. The others are quite unhappy to have been left behind for this voyage.”
“Surprising that you come at this time of war and unrest. There must have been an urgent need.” The duke’s face seemed more than casually interested.
Hayes found that peculiar, but he answered as casually as possible.“I admit to being most concerned for my landowners and their tenants. Our crops are failing. Itisfor some rather urgent needs that I would travel so far from Oldenburg. The Duke of Sumter has been an excellent help to me in that regard.”
“You don’t have any international concerns?” the Duke of Shelby asked.
Hayes did not miss a look that passed between Lady Elsie and her father. He didn’t know what to make of it. The whole conversation in this carriage seemed forced. “Oh, well, certainly,” he said. “When Prince Layton visited and England was so kind as to offer their naval assistance, we joined the war against Napoleon and have been grateful allies to England ever since. I am making an official visit to His Highness, Prince George, early next week. I’m certain we will have much to discuss on that front. I hope to make an official visit to Baron Hobart or his undersecretary of state for war and the Colonies as well, though my expertise lies more with the land and our people in Oldenburg than with our navy and ocean borders.”
The Duke of Shelby nodded slowly and then seemed satisfied enough. “My family and I would like to host you while you are here. Attend functions with you both, perhaps plan a soiree in your behalf.” He looked to his wife, who immediately nodded.
“Certainly, and Lady Elsie and I would also like to invite you to come as a speaker to our book meetings,” she said. “I know many are looking forward to finally meeting the elusive Duke of Sumter.” The duchess smiled. “And a prince of Oldenburg.”
Hayes’s gratitude was mixed with a bit of surprised confusion, but his time would be greatly eased with introductions from such a well-connected family, and he would never begrudge time with Lady Elsie. “I would be honored to do any and all of what you suggest, and I thank you for your kindness. I am at your disposal.”
Bartholomew echoed Hayes’s sentiments.
“I have asked to walk with your daughter in the park tomorrow,” Hayes said. “The Duke of Sumter and I take our walks earlier than most. We would welcome her company.”
The duke’s eyes gleamed. “Of course. She too is an early riser.”
Lady Elsie’s eyes widened, but she said nothing.
The carriage pulled up in front of a town house twice the width of the others. A footman opened their doors to an impressive presence of servants lining the entrance.
When Hayes exited and turned, Lady Elsie allowed him to help her down, then placed her hand at his forearm in the most stately manner possible. He leaned closer, in the guise of looking behind him, and murmured, “Are you really an early riser?”
Her eyes shot to his and filled with humor. “I am not.”
He laughed. “Interesting.”
They walked up the steps to the Grant home.
“What is interesting?”
He handed his hat and cloak to the waiting servant, and when Lady Elsie turned her back so the servant could take her wrap, Hayes reached for it instead, removing it from her shoulders and leaving it in the servant’s hands. When Lady Elsie faced him, her eyes widened. He stood closer than he normally would because of the space available in their closely clustered group, but he found he didn’t mind. Her breath smelled of mint, and the air about her of lemons. What a delightful find. He breathed in and smiled. “You,” he said at last.
“Me?”
“You asked what is interesting. You. You are the most interesting part of my trip to London so far.”
She sucked in a soft breath, but no pretty blush colored her cheeks. Perhaps she didn’t fan herself in girlish embarrassment at the slightest compliment. More the better.
