Page 19 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
“I would be delighted,” he said. “Your tour thus far has been quite fascinating, and I am eager to learn more about the treasures you can show me.”
Chapter Ten
For the first part of the tour, Michael was stunned by Lady Lydia’s knowledge of the art pieces and historical information they discussed. She had taken him by surprise at dinner with her questions and her keen interest in history. But now, he had confirmed that her knowledge of the subjects was not superficial. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about that regarding how clever of a wife she would end up being. But she was making for a pleasant tour guide and conversationalist. He found contentment with that. At first.
However, as the tour dragged on, Michael began to grow restless. He had been impressed with the collector’s pieces he had seen thus far. But the one thing that he wanted most had yet to be in any of the rooms Lady Lydia had shown him. He wanted to ask her about it when she asked where he wanted to begin the tour. But he was afraid of seeming too eager to that specific piece and alert her to his direct and overt interest in it. So, as the tour continued, his restlessness did, as well.
By the time they had reached the billiard’s room, which didn’t hold many of the collector’s items the earl had acquired, he thought he would go mad with impatience. It was getting difficult for him to remain engaged in conversation with Lady Lydia. He was struggling to focus on what she was saying as the vase consumed his thoughts.
Lady Lydia stopped just inside the door of the billiard room. Michael was so distracted that he didn’t realize that she had stopped. He also didn’t see that she had lifted her hand and was pointing at something in the far corner of the room. His face grazed against her fingertips, and he was suddenly brought immediately back to the present moment.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” she said, blushing fiercely. “I was so careless. Are you all right? Did I scratch you?”
Michael shook his head, stunned once more. But this time, it was because of the tingles racing up his spine at the small, brief instant of contact with her. He didn’t know if she had scratched him, as his face suddenly felt numb. But he could have been bleeding like a fountain for all he cared right then.
“No,” he finally managed to say. “I’m all right. I should have noticed that you were showing me something. It was my mistake.”
Lady Lydia nodded, though her cheeks remained pink. Was she that beautiful when we first arrived here? He wondered in amazement. Was she this beautiful as we were discussing the paintings in the… what was that room, with the instruments?
Now as equally surprised by his reaction to the soft touch as he had been about her intellect, Michael cleared his throat.
“Forgive me,” he said again, clumsily. “What was it that you wanted to show me?”
She pointed again to a scroll of papyrus littered with hieroglyphics. Beneath it, on a table, was a miniature sculpture of a pyramid, as well as a small replica pharaoh’s Khepresh crown.
“Father is still expanding his collection of Egyptian artifacts,” she said softly. “But these are currently among his favourites things from that era.”
Michael nodded, barely sparing the display a glance.
“What does the scroll say?” he asked.
Lady Lydia looked at the scroll, squinting for a moment. Michael found himself holding his breath, waiting for her to speak again.
“We Kings are One, but We Serve All, I think is what it says,” she said. She mused over that for a moment before speaking again. “I wonder if that is in reference to how they feel about their connection to their gods, and about serving their people.”
Michael nodded, though he had no idea. He was suddenly once again in awe at Lady Lydia. All thoughts of the vase once more left his mind for a while. He found her voice utterly intoxicating, in a way he hadn’t previously.
“That is a good theory,” he said. “I understand that not all the pharaohs were quite so concerned with serving their people, however.”
Lady Lydia nodded.
“That is true,” she said. “That was one of the things I had considered, thinking about the ancient civilizations. Many leaders and nobility all over the world have been more concerned with power and wealth than with the people they should be serving. They are selfish, and too concerned with what others can do for them than what they can do for people who need it most. That’s one reason I am so devoted to spreading education any way I can.”
Michael nodded again, feeling a small pang of guilt. She had no way of knowing, of course, but he was a similarly selfish man. He would not have considered speaking to her if it hadn’t been for the coveted vase on which his relationship with her rested. But he didn’t want her to see his discomfort. So, he smiled, gesturing back toward the door.
“This is just fascinating,” he said. “Shall we continue?”
Lady Lydia gave him a bemused smile and nodded.
“Of course,” she said. “The Egyptian things are the only things of note in here. How about we go to the library?”
Michael shrugged and nodded.
“Lead on,” he said.
As he took her arm again, he felt the tingles again. Suddenly, he was once again very interested in the tour of the house, and of the earl’s tasteful collection. At least, that was what he tried to tell himself. What he was truly interested in, however, was his bride-to-be.
The library proved to be quite an interesting experience. The earl had a shelf that appeared to be reserved just for old texts, more scrolls, old leather-bound books and fairly well-preserved pieces of parchment, and books that were rare prints. Lady Lydia must have noticed him staring at the collection, because she patted his hand with her arm and smiled up at him.
