Page 16 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
Lady Lydia nodded thoughtfully.
“I see,” she said. “But don't you think that by studying history, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and make better decisions in the present?”
Michael felt a sense of awe as he looked at Lady Lydia. She was so intelligent and thoughtful, and he found himself as eager to impress her as he was terrified of saying the wrong thing.
“Yes, I suppose you're right,” he said. “And, uh, maybe we can also learn from the successes of the past, too.”
Lady Lydia nodded once more.
“I can agree with that,” she said. “What precisely do you think we can learn from these ancient cultures about how people live in the modern world?”
Michael's mind went blank. He had never really thought about it in such deep detail before. It was a passion he followed, and little more, especially when most of his interest manifested in the form of collecting.
“Well, I suppose we can learn about the human condition, and how it hasn't really changed all that much over time,” he said, his heart racing once more.
Lady Lydia smiled, seeming pleased with his answer.
“That's an interesting perspective,” she said. “I can agree that there is a great deal that we today could learn about ancient civilizations and cultures. Oh, if only more people were more educated about such subjects.”
Michael nodded, feeling relieved that the conversation had gone well, and that Lady Lydia seemed happy with his responses. But he couldn't shake the feeling that she was too intelligent for him. He worried that he wouldn't be able to keep up with her intellectually, and that she would be disappointed in him as a husband. What would he do if she turned out to be cleverer than he anticipated?
As the meal came to a close, Lady Lydia turned to him again.
“My lord duke, I hope you'll come see my father's collection of ancient artifacts,” she said. “It's quite impressive, and I think you'll find it fascinating.”
Michael's face lit up at the invitation. It was the last thing he expected for the evening. But he was certainly not going to decline.
“I would love to,” he said. “Thank you very kindly for offering.”
Lady Lydia beamed at him. Then she turned to her parents, her expression changing just slightly.
“I do hope that’s all right,” she said.
Her mother and father both beamed at her, nodding in unison.
“Of course, my dear,” the earl said proudly. “I would be delighted to know that someone else with an appreciation for collecting would get the chance to enjoy the pieces I have.”
The countess’s smile widened.
“That is a wonderful idea, darling,” she said. “The two of you may go as soon as dinner is finished. No need to wait for any of us, or any of the staff. Please, just enjoy yourselves.”
Lady Lydia nodded. Her brow twitched, but she said nothing else. Michael was awestricken. Were they not going to insist that someone chaperone them? It was just around their private home. But it was well known that all high society ladies had chaperones any time they were spending time with gentlemen.
After dinner, Lady Lydia slowly rose from her seat. She gave Michael a kind, if a bit nervous, smile.
“Shall we?” she asked.
Chapter Nine
Lydia tried her best to hide her surprise from Lord Strawbridge as she led him from the dining room and to the rooms that held the pieces of her father’s antiques collection that the duke had not yet seen. She had noticed him admiring the pieces that were in the hallways exiting the entryway, and those in the drawing room, as well. She had to admit that the excitement with which he admired the pieces of history when he first arrived had made her heart flutter.
It wasn’t his immediate interest in letting her show him the rest of the collection that surprised her, however. When she had offered to show it to him, neither her mother nor her father had insisted that she have a chaperone with her. In fact, when she stood waiting, looking pointedly at her mother to call a servant to escort the couple, her mother had simply given her a shooing motion with her hands. It seemed she had been correct with her hopes for the plan. Since they were soon too be married, they would apparently be afforded more freedom than normal courting couples. In their own homes, at least.
She was as glad as she was surprised. She had known that dinner would be terribly uncomfortable and awkward, one way or another. She had hoped to manage to get him away from her parents by showing off the collection. She just hadn’t dreamed that her plan would work so swimmingly. The newfound freedom relieved her from the scrutinous and judgmental eyes of her parents.
More importantly, it would give her the chance to learn more about the duke. Even if all they did was talk about the pieces she was showing him, she would know more about his passion for history and ancient cultures, and about how he interacted with her when they were alone. She had seen him warm to her, just a little, at dinner. Perhaps, she could get him to open up even more without everyone else watching.
“Well,” she said when they were finally away from their relatives and the servants lingering near the dining room. “What would you like to see first?”
