Page 28 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
Andrew hesitated, then closed his eyes. “I see what you mean. Yes, very well, I will pretend to have an interest in the lady. Though I will have to make it very clear to Miss Grifford as to why I am saying such things.”
Lord Wrexham chuckled. “Or you could simply enjoy her company and see what comes of it?”
“No.” Andrew cut the air with his hand, his brow furrowing all the more as the smile on his friend’s face faded. “No, I will do nothing of the sort. Miss Grifford will know all and I hope she will be contented with it.”
“Let us hope thatyouwill be contented with it also,” Lord Wrexham replied, a slight glint in his eye. “For I am quietly suspicious that, in a short while, you may find yourself very confused indeed.”
***
“Miss Grifford.” Andrew cleared his throat and tried to smile, fully aware that three sets of eyes were fixed to him.
“Yes, Your Grace?” Miss Rachel Grifford’s eyes were slightly wider than usual, a gentle pink in her cheeks which, Andrew had to admit, did make her appear rather beautiful.
But he could not let thoughts like that distract him.
“I was hopeful that… ” Hearing a slight hitch of breath, he turned his attention to Miss Bettina Grifford, seeing the way her eyes rounded and her face, instead of holding any color, went very pale indeed.
“Yes, Your Grace?” Lady Carmichael spoke with a firmness which redirected his attention back towards Miss Rachel Grifford and, clearing his throat, he gave a small nod.
“Yes, of course. My apologies.” Clasping his hands in his lap and wondering at the tension which knotted his stomach and ran up his spine, he let out a slow breath and then forced a smile. “Miss Grifford, I was hopeful that you might be willing to walk with me in the park tomorrow.”
There was another gasp though it was, again, from Miss Bettina Grifford rather than from her sister. Miss Rachel Grifford’s eyes rounded and she stared at him as though he had quite lost his mind in asking her such a thing.
“Miss Grifford?” Andrew asked again, only for Lady Carmichael to let out a squeak which, when he looked at her, sent a flush rising up into her cheeks.
“My daughter accepts, of course!” she exclaimed, rising to her feet and hurrying across to Miss Rachel Grifford, grasping her hand and patting it furiously with the other. “Is that not so, Rachel?”
She blinked and then nodded slowly. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
“That is not particularly enthusiastic, Rachel.” Miss Bettina Grifford spoke up, her tone rather icy. “You are not showing any delight in the Duke’s request and seem to have no genuine interest in furthering an acquaintance with him!”
Andrew frowned immediately, sending a sharp look to Miss Bettina Grifford though when she caught his eye, she merely smiled rather than appearing at all embarrassed by his response.
“I am a little overwhelmed, that is all.” Miss Rachel Grifford spoke again, her voice very soft indeed though her eyes returned to his face rather than looking at her sister. “You are very generous, Your Grace.”
“Not in the least. It would be an honour,” he replied truthfully, while at the same time, silently praying that she would understand what he meant by such a request. “Might we say tomorrow afternoon, then? I can come here in my carriage and thereafter, we might go together to the park? With your chaperone, of course.”
“Howverygenerous, Your Grace!” Lady Carmichael exclaimed, while her daughter managed a vague nod. “I will make certain that we are both readily prepared. I will accompany her of course, but when you are walking, I will make certain to stay a few steps back. I do hope that will be suitable.”
“I can make no protest,” he replied, seeing her nod and smile. “I shall take my leave of you all now. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Miss Grifford.”
As Andrew rose to his feet to take his leave, he found himself rather surprised that, though he had spoken of looking forward to seeing the lady again without any real thought of it, that was the truth which sank deeply into his heart. Hewaslooking forward to being in her company again,waslooking forward to having her in his carriage and walking with her.
How very strange indeed.
Chapter Thirteen
“It is most unfair.”
Rachel attempted to hide the way she rolled her eyes but Bettina saw it nonetheless and immediately erupted into cries of anger and upset.
“It is not unfair,” Lady Carmichael replied, ignoring the way that Bettina continued to protest. “The Duke of Longford wishes to walk with Rachel. Why then would you suggest that it is in any way unfair?”
“Because he ought to be considering me!” Bettina replied, her eyes red as though she was about to burst into tears. “I am the eldest and – ”
“I am afraid that is not the way that such things work, my dear,” Lady Carmichael replied, calmly. “I will admit to being rather surprised that the Duke would choose Rachel but that is something which he himself has decided.”
Rachel frowned, her shoulders dropping as she took in her mother’s words and found herself growing heavy-hearted over them. Even though her mother was being rather supportive in this connection with the Duke, she still found a way to upset Rachel even without meaning to.
