Page 40 of A Fake Courtship with the Duke
Anne blushed, giggling.
“Great minds think alike, I hear,” she said boldly.
Richard studied her for a moment before winking at her again.
“I must agree with you, Miss Huxley,” he said softly.
As they talked and pointed out the similarities to the opera and their own close calls with arranged marriages, it was easy for Anne to forget that they were not truly a couple. But every so often, she would silently chide herself and remind herself that their romance was simply for show. After all, how could something that was mere pretense truly feel so profoundly real? She couldn’t let herself forget the situation. But it was so easy to get carried away.
The evening drew to a close all too soon for Anne’s liking, as the final act showed the characters celebrating a joyful reconciliation and the power of love, and the curtain fell as Anne and the duke leapt from their seats, applauding wildly with the delight of the performance. As Richard escorted her home and the pair gushed about their favorite parts of the performance, Anne was filled with a mix of regret at the night’s ending and the anticipation of future encounters with the duke. Was she mistaken when she thought she sensed a bit of disappointment in the duke as they reached her home, as well?
Anne's mind was overrun with thoughts of the Duke as she prepared for bed. The sandalwood cologne he wore seemed to be clinging to the insides of her nostrils, a tangible reminder of the unforgettable evening. But now that she was out of hisintoxicating presence, she thought rationally about him. Was there any way the Duke could ever truly desire someone like her? Or was she allowing herself to get too attached to a man she would end up having to walk away from?
Chapter Twenty
The following morning, images from the opera lingered in Richard’s mind. He lay in bed, the soft sheets enticing him to lie and bask in their comfort a little longer. The entirety of the evening prior felt surreal to him. Miss Huxley’s infectious laughter seemed to have become part of his soul. The gentle touch of her hand had sent wave after wave of heat coursing through him in a way he had never experienced before.
Her rapt attention during the performance confirmed that she did, indeed, have a true love for the opera, unlike most of the flaky women in the ton who sat watching, glazed-eyed and clearly bored, merely seeking the approval of a nobleman. Her enthusiasm had been a revelation, a stark contrast to the tasteless behavior he’d been taught to expect from women with her reputation.
Yet despite the circulating rumors about her, he recognized that he genuinely relished her presence. He also realized that he didn’t mind that. In fact, he was already looking forward to the next time he would get to see her. How had she never captured his attention before Susan came up with her grand plan to fool the ton with their faux courtship? She was just the breath of fresh air he had skeptically hoped for in ton women. How had he never noticed her before?
His mind reluctantly shifted to the day ahead. He knew he would be expected at breakfast with his mother and sister, the latter of whom was celebrating her twentieth birthday. The breakfast part filled him with dread. But he had procured something special for Susan, and he was excited to give it to her. Having been shopping with her recently, he knew it wassomething she wanted. And he delighted in bringing the sweet, thrilled smile to his younger sister’s face.
Sliding out of bed, Richard called for Watson, selecting a deep navy coat and light blue cravat with matching light blue boots. He opted to not wear a hat that day. He knew it irked his mother when he didn’t wear hats, as it was a fashion statement for men, particularly those of his station. He also hated hats, and only wore them when society deemed it absolutely necessary. Watson came and dressed him so quickly that Richard hardly got to finish exchanging their usual morning pleasantries. But there was one more thing he needed before he could go downstairs.
He walked over to his dresser, where his riding, traveling and fencing outfits were folded, reaching in the top drawer. He pulled out a square box the size of his palm, wrapped in silver paper and topped with a bright red bow, Susan’s favorite color. He tucked it into the pocket of his coat, then headed down to join his mother and sister.
Susan was the first to acknowledge him, smiling sweetly at him as he entered the breakfast room. He approached her with a warm smile of his own, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his sister’s cheek.
“Happy birthday, dear Sister,” he said, gazing fondly at his sister. It was still hard for him to believe that she was a young woman now, not the child he used to chase and play with in the gardens of Calder Estate. But he was proud of the woman she had become, and he adored her.
Susan beamed at him with a soft giggle.
“Thank you, sweet Brother,” she said. “I’ve so been looking forward to my birthday this year.”
Richard grinned and nodded. He knew how much she loved Vauxhall Gardens. And he intended to make the evening special in every single way once they arrived there. He’d already madepreliminary arrangements, and everything else would be up to Susan when they arrived there.
With a dramatic flourish, he presented her with the box, holding it out to her in his open palm.
“I got you something,” he said.
Susan took the box, looking at Richard affectionately.
“You didn’t need to do that,” she said. “You’re already treating me this evening.”
Richard shrugged, still smiling.
“I think that will go nicely with the evening,” he said mysteriously.
Susan gave him a bemused look. Then, she unwrapped the gift, her eyes widening in delight when she revealed its contents. Rubies sparkled in the morning light in its delicate silver setting, casting a kaleidoscope of small red beams on the skirt of her dress.
“Oh, Richard, it's the exact one I wanted,” she gasped, clutching the necklace in her hand with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.
Richard nodded, pleased to see his sister so happy. He looked at her with a mixture of pride and tenderness.
“I know,” he said. “I knew how much you wanted it, and I thought there was no lady more deserving of it in all of London than you.”
Susan leapt from her seat and threw her arms around Richard.
