Page 19 of Her Runaway Duke
“Write down a description. A name if you can see one. Then I can send the list to an art connoisseur.”
Siena actually liked the idea. It would not only give her purpose but also a reason to inspect all of the paintings that decorated the house in closer detail.
“I would be happy to do so.”
“You seem to know where to find writing paper,” he said wryly, and she nodded.
“That I do.”
She stood and began walking to the door but stopped, turning around. “Will I see you at dinner?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
He stared straight ahead, which kept the left side of his face away from her. It was a head tilt that he did often, and she wondered if he was hiding that half of himself on purpose or if he was doing so without noticing.
“I prefer to dine alone.”
“Is my company really so bad?”
“No,” he said. “Mine is.”
“It does not have to be that way.”
“Trust me. It does.”
He bent his head and opened a book in front of him, effectively dismissing her.
So finally, without another word, Siena did as he wished.
She left.
CHAPTER 7
Levi stayed true to his word and avoided Lady Siena for the next day, taking his meals in his bedroom so that he wouldn’t have to see her.
The truth was, he rather liked conversing with her. Thornbury was right. She was beautiful, but more than that, she seemed to respect and enjoy the company of everyone she encountered. She spoke to the staff as though they were members of thetonand didn’t seem to treat him any differently despite having seen the fullness of his face and cheek.
He caught glimpses of her diligently working on her list, and he appreciated her efforts. He had no idea if he would actually be able to afford to pay her or not, but he would make certain that she could get to wherever it was she wished to go.
As for him, he would be staying right here. He had travelled enough of the continent, although not for reasons he preferred to consider at the moment. He was leaving those memories behind him, shutting them out of his mind along with the life that had been before.
Feeling cooped up in the house, he decided that he would attempt a ride. Lucky didn’t mind a light rain, and it seemed that it had diminished enough that they could at least stay tothe manicured paths, although they were rather few and far between.
He donned his riding garments, hat, and cloak, and raced through the rain toward the stables, surprising the stablehand when he entered through the door.
The scent of fresh hay mingled with the earthy musk of horses, creating what was, to Levi, an intoxicating aroma.
A row of gleaming saddles lined one wall, each one meticulously cared for and lovingly oiled. Bridles hung from hooks, their supple leather glinting in the soft light, and a thick layer of straw covered the floor.
In one corner stood his massive black stallion, his mane flowing like liquid midnight and his eyes burning with an untamed fire. His muscles rippled beneath his sleek black coat as he pawed at the ground, knowing that Levi’s arrival meant it was finally time to leave the stable.
“Your Grace,” the stablehand said as Lucky gave a whinny of welcome. “I tried to tell Lucky there had been too much rain, but he doesn’t seem to care.”
“Nor do I,” Levi returned, walking over and patting the horse’s sleek neck, taking solace in him when he butted his head up against his shoulder. “We won’t be long. I think we both need to run. The rain is not as heavy as it was.”
“Very well.”
