Page 24 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
The soup, cream of asparagus, tasted delicious. ‘My compliments to your cook,’ she said.
‘She will be delighted that you are pleased, Countess. I shall be sure to let her know.’
‘Thank you for this morning,’ Barbara said.
‘I am glad you enjoyed it. It is…’ He hesitated. ‘It was my pleasure.’
That was not what he was going to say.
‘To be honest,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t sure if you would make me turn back to London when you saw I was alone. The reason I did not bring my maid is because she reports everything back to my great-aunt, who Iam terribly fond of but whose chaperonage I find quite stifling.’
‘You should not chafe at your aunt’s trying to protect your reputation,’ the Duke said stiffly.
Such a stuffed shirt, this man. And so much fun to tease.
‘Nonsense. I have no need for a chaperone. I have been married twice, Your Grace. I am not some schoolroom miss without a shred of knowledge of the world. I do as I wish.’
‘I see that.’
‘With whom I wish.’
‘I would advise caution.’
‘Caution.’ She laughed. ‘Why would anyone embrace caution? How dull. And to what end?’
‘I think you will discover English Society is a little different from that on the Continent. If you should wish to marry again—’
Oh, yes. She had teased him about seeking a third husband. ‘I am beginning to wonder if I would derive more enjoyment remaining as a widow.’
He looked startled. ‘I understood from your aunt that you hoped—’
‘My aunt does not speak for me, Your Grace.’
She finished her soup and put down her spoon with a gesture of finality. ‘In the meantime, I have every intention of enjoying my visit to London.’
‘Your visit? Do you not plan to stay?’
‘If London is as dull as I have observed so far, I think I would far ratherlive in Paris.’
‘I see.’
‘Unless you have some notion of how London might be made more interesting?’
His eyes as he gazed at her sparkled for a brief moment. ‘Is that a challenge, Countess?’
‘Take it however you will,’ she said, lifting her chin.
He rang the bell. Green entered and collected their soup bowls.
His Grace began slicing the bread. ‘I shall have to see what I can do.’
Heavens! Did that mean he was accepting herchallenge?
Given his very strict sort of notions about Society, she hadn’t expected him to give in so easily.
But perhaps he assumed she was incorrigible, therefore not worthy of saving from her folly.
Whereas she ought to be delighted, she felt just a little let down. Which was nonsense when it looked as if things were going exactly the way she wanted.
