Page 5 of A Duke for Adela
She smiled at him. “All right, perhaps better than adequate. I am surprised you would deign to allow a commoner like myself to ride in it.”
His horses were equally magnificent, a team of four matched bays, each one more exquisite than the next.
“You are correct, Miss Swift. I usually permit only sun gods and other deities to ride with me, but I shall make an exception for you since you are in no way common. In truth, I find you extraordinarily uncommon. Climb in.”
He did not give her the chance to object, but took her hand in his and then circled an arm around her waist to guide her up. He gave his driver her direction, and then climbed in after her, chuckling again when she bounced twice on the padded bench and remarked favorably on its comfort.
He settled diagonally across from her, his silver eyes boring into her and his long, powerful legs stretched out before him.
She blushed and cleared her throat as the carriage took off for Chipping Way. “I suppose it is too late to comment on the scandal of my riding alone with you.”
“Do you care?”
She shook her head. “No, but Lady Dayne might. However, I think we are safe enough since no one would ever believe you have a romantic interest in me.”
“Why do you put yourself down, Miss Swift? Have I said anything to make you believe I find you inferior to the other debutantes in this year’s marriage crop?”
“You haven’t,” she acknowledged. “I thank you for it.”
“No need.”
She turned her face to the spotless window to peer out of it. “This is actually quite wonderful. Dare I admit it? I am enjoying the ride, and your company, of course.”
He gave a chivalrous nod of his head. “As I am enjoying yours.”
She emitted a soft trill of laughter. “What a kind and gentlemanly thing to say. I am sure it is utter hogwash, but I think I must thank you again.”
He frowned. “Has thetonbeat you up that badly?”
“I wouldn’t really care what any of them think except that I am forced to be in their company constantly. Museums and bookshops are my element, not a ballroom. I know I ought to better ingratiate myself, but it is hard to do when most of the gentlemen I meet are shallow, vain, and boring. The ladies are often just cruel, although I do not see why they should pay me any mind since I am no competition for them.”
“You are a very pretty girl, Miss Swift.”
She grinned. “Are all dukes this polite and tactful? I think I could be passable enough if I worked harder on my appearance. But then everyone’s expectations would be raised and I might actually receive a gentleman caller.”
“Is that not the entire point of having a Season?”
“Yes, I suppose. But I would soon bore him and he would bore me because we would have nothing of interest in common. I do feel badly about disappointing Lady Dayne and Lady Withnall, however. They have been exceedingly kind and patient with me.”
“Why are you so resistant to finding a husband for yourself?”
She pursed her lips and gave her answer some thought. “I am not resistant to it. I do hope to marry, just not yet.”
“Because you are determined to find your ancient bones first?”
She nodded. “Yes, exactly. I fear that once I marry, that dream will have to be set aside forever. I am not ready to give up on my dreams yet. Would you be?”
“I don’t know. As a man and also a duke, I am pretty much allowed anything.”
“And we women are allowed so little. Is it so awful for me to want to make something of myself before I accept to marry? I know I am not like most women, nor am I suggesting they ought to be unhappy with their choices. However, I cannot bear the thought of passing from this earth like a wisp of smoke, nothing to indicate I was ever here. Even if I am merely a footnote in some forgotten book, at least that would be something.Miss Adela Swift discovers mysterious bones belonging to terrifying, mammoth creatures in Devonshire cave.Is this such a terrible ambition?”
He studied her in silence for a long moment. “The right husband might support you in fulfilling your dreams.”
“That would be remarkable. I would adore such a man, but he will not be found on the marriage mart or anywhere in London, for that matter. No Fellow in the Royal Society will ever allow me to pursue my search, yet they are the very ones who should understand my passion for discovery better than anyone else. Instead, they shun and revile me because I am a woman. Runyon is not the only callow knave among them.”
They were not far from Chipping Way now and Adela was not certain she would ever see the duke again. Well, she probably would see him at various social events, but he was not likely to engage her in conversation or even acknowledge her presence.
He traveled in the most elite circles.
