Page 10 of The Love Potion
“Did I? Hmm, no I don’t believe so. I said that I believe you will enjoy my peculiar horse.”
He was teasing her. At least she thought he was teasing her, and the idea was so absurd that she giggled. Imagine, a duke teasing her, a nobody miss companion. But she was not one tolet such an opportunity pass. “You know that where I go, Zoe must follow.”
“If she can find a companion to join us, then I shall provide mounts for them as well.”
An excellent idea. “What about Lord Nathaniel?” He was the only gentleman who had managed to make Zoe laugh.
The man snorted. “Awake before noon? I doubt it.”
Oh dear. Well, there were any number of men who would stir themselves out of bed if it meant more time with an heiress. “I do hope she finds an accomplished one. She’s very particular about her riding companions.”
He extended his arm out to her. “She sounds like a remarkably difficult charge.”
She sighed. That was not the impression she meant to convey. “She’s the privileged daughter of an earl. I challenge you to find one who is not.”
“No, thank you. I am perfectly content doing without.”
She chuckled. “I do not believe your mother would agree.” And here she scored a true hit. Indeed, everyone knew how keen his mother was to see him married and busily filling his nursery. And just to underscore her point, who was waiting at the top of the stairs? His mother…looking like she wanted to murder them both.
She squeezed his arm to commiserate. “I apologize for taking up so much of your time.”
“And there you go apologizing for something that was not your fault. I chose the exact length of our conversation. My mother’s annoyance will not fall upon you.”
She doubted that was true, but she didn’t argue. It wasn’t until they were three short of the top step that she caught sight of Zoe’s anxious expression. The girl was waiting a step behind the dowager duchess with hope and terror written in clearlines upon her young face. Kynthea suddenly remembered her promise.
“Damnation, I forgot!” Kynthea cried.
The duke paused and looked down in concern. “What is it?”
“There isn’t time now.” She was an idiot for forgetting.
“What?”
“Nothing. Simply tomorrow, please indulge us if Zoe asks you strange questions.”
He sighed. “Part of the love potion, I imagine.”
“Yes.”
“And shall I be subjected to another deluge of herb water?”
“Most likely. She’s quite determined.”
He sighed. “Very well. But don’t shower me with it. Put it on a handkerchief. I shall wipe my face with it.”
“Thank you.” She peeked up at him. “You are being most generous to endure it.”
“Yes,” he drawled. “I am.”
Well, that was rude. His answer implied an excessive sense of his own importance, as if a slight wetting in the face and an impertinent question were too much to bear. But when she drew breath to respond, he winked at her.
She nearly missed it. They were starting to climb the steps again, and her attention had been on making a graceful entrance. But she had looked at his face and saw the wink, clear as day. It startled her enough that her response was forgotten as she gaped at him.
He was teasing her? More than that, was he poking fun at his own vanity? She couldn’t credit it. And yet, the way his lips quirked at her shock made the truth absolutely clear. Beneath that stuffy exterior, the duke had a wicked sense of humor. And he didn’t mind ridiculing himself.
“Your Grace—” she began, but he cut her off.
“Miss Petrelli, I look forward to our morning ride. I shall come for you at seven.” His words were loud enough for everyone to hear. And if they didn’t, the sight of him bowing before her as he kissed her hand surely painted a picture. Especially when her cheeks burned crimson at his attention.
