Page 37 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
‘Because I wanted to know what it was that you had to say to me that required us to be alone. Or alone as we can be with a groom behind us.’
He gave a grim smile. ‘You are not one to mince words,are you, my lady?’
‘Why should I be? I’ve told you before, I believe in calling a shovel a shovel.’
‘How enchanting,’ he said with obvious sarcasm. ‘Briggs, I shall not need you any more today. I will see you back at the stables.’ The groom touched his hat and jumped down, his expression noncommittal.
‘So I was right.’
‘About what?’ said the Duke.
‘About you wanting to say something of a personal nature.’
A small smile touched his lips. ‘Yes, you are right.’
That smile did something to his face. While he was definitely handsome, when he smiled, he became more…human, less remote. That smile did something to her insides, made them flutter strangely. She did not like it at all. At least, she did not want to like it.
‘Well?’ she asked.
He did not answer, apparently busy guiding his horses around a brewer’s dray, where the unloading of casks was causing a good deal of commotion.
‘Why on earth are so many people gathered here?’ she asked, surprised by the crowd of unkempt folks on the pavement and dodging in front of the traffic.
He cast her a sardonic glance. ‘They are hoping a barrel will split and they can snatch up the dregs.’
They were past now and she looked back. Indeed, some of those gathered were holding pewter mugs and other containers, while the carter yelled at them to keep back if they didn’t want their toes crushed.
‘How awful that people feel the need to scoop beerfrom the ground.’ Cobblestones smeared with mud and dung and… She shuddered.
He did not answer, but his mouth set in a firm line as if he too were horrified by the idea.
They turned into Mayfair, and it was not long before they arrived at Hyde Park.
The fine weather had brought out the park saunterers and other open carriages. As they moved along the row, the Duke acknowledged acquaintances with a casual wave or a bow.
‘Well, Duke, what was it that you felt the need to say to me?’
His expression remained grim. ‘Since you seem to value the worth of direct speech, I will not mince words.’
He sounded almost…angry.
‘Please, feel free to unbridle your tongue.’
‘Very well.’ He paused for a second or two as if organising his thoughts. ‘I understand that living in Europe for the past many years means that you have not been exposed to the ways of English Society. From the first, you have been oblivious to the niceties of the good conduct expected of a well-brought-up young lady.’
She could not help it. Her jaw dropped and she gasped.
He cast her a look of irritation. ‘You said I should speak my mind.’
She got herself under control. After all, he was telling the truth. ‘Pray, continue.’
‘You see, while I do not know whatstandard of manners pertain to young ladies on the Continent, if you continue on as you are, you will find yourself cast out of any decent Society here. Surely that is not what you want?’
The mere fact that he was questioning her on that score gave her pause. This Duke was not a stupid man.
‘What have I done, that is so dreadful that Society would cast me out? As you put it.’
‘Has your aunt told you nothing of Society’s ways?’
