Page 18 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
The sound of wheels on the gravel drive at the exact moment his guests were expected toarrive, brought a smile to his lips. His coachman was nothing if he was not punctual.
He nodded to the footman who opened the front door and went outside to greet his guests.
Like a well-oiled machine, his household slipped into motion—a groom ran out to take the horses’ heads and another to let down the carriage steps.
As orderly as clockwork.
Exactly the way he liked it.
To his surprise, the younger woman, the Countess, alighted first. She looked magnificent in her riding dress. The same one he had admired in Hyde Park. It was elegant and, though bright, the colour suited her to perfection.
He stepped forward to greet her, glancing into the carriage, expecting the other lady to emerge—
What the devil! ‘Where is your aunt?’
The Countess gave him a mischievous smile. ‘My aunt is indisposed.’
Taken aback, for a moment he could only stare at her. ‘Then you should have sent a message to postpone the engagement.’
She glanced around at the house, at him, at the sky. Finally back to him. ‘And waste such a beautiful day, when it has rained for weeks, and after all the trouble you have gone to? Certainly not.’
Damn him for an idiot. Because he wasn’t exactly unhappy at the absence of the woman’s aunt.
He should put her back in his carriage and send her on her way.
And yet…
Perhaps this would be a perfect opportunity to school her in the way of theton. Perhaps she would listen to him, if she would not listen to her aunt regarding the niceties of London Society. No doubt she had been misled into thinking that widows were not bound by the same strictures that applied to unmarried women and wives.
Perhaps she did not realise that behaviours such as hers would eventually lead to her being thought most dreadfully fast.
Beyond redemption.
But the laughter in her eyes—those lively dark brown eyes with a golden sunburst at the centre that you only saw close up—was a worry.
Because that twinkle gave him the feeling that she knew exactly what she was about.
‘So—do we ride out? Or not?’ she asked.
There was an element of dare in her voice.
A challenge.
‘We ride out,’ he said grimly.
She laughed. That same chuckle he’d heard on the night that they’d met, a light amused sound emanating from the back of her throat.
He wanted to smile back but he frowned instead. No point in encouraging the reckless female. ‘Something amuses you?’
‘You look as if you are headed for the gallows.’
Did he indeed.
‘You should not have come without a companion,’ he said repressively.
‘Why? Are you unable to keep the line?’
The question took him aback. ‘I am a gentleman, madam.’
