Page 41 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
The waistcoat in question, peeking out from Pettigrew’s coat, was a peacock blue colour with bright yellow flowers embroidered on it.
‘Nonsense,’ Pettigrew said. ‘My tailor assured me this was a perfect waistcoat for spring.’
Barbara was enjoying the interaction between the two men. Derbridge seemed much more at ease with his friend, almost human.
It showed a softer side she hadn’t known existed.
‘I will recommend you tomytailor,’ the Duke said dryly.
Pettigrew chuckled. ‘At last. I’ve been asking you to do so for weeks. I thought this might tip the balance.’
The Duke laughed.
A deep, rich, genuine laugh. It made her smile.
‘Touché,’the Duke said. ‘Very well, you shall have it.’
This playful side charmed her down to her toes. How unexpected! Clearly, these two were good friends.
Knowing that the Duke had a good friend made him seem more approachable. On the other hand, she did not want to like him too much. She needed him to despise her.
‘Will you be attending the Rankins’ ball later this week?’ Pettigrew asked her. ‘If so, may I beg a waltz?’
‘Of course.’
He touched his hat. ‘I bid you good day, then, Derbridge.’ He sauntered off.
‘Do not be taken in by Pettigrew’s nonsense,’ Derbridge said.
He was frowning after his friend as he set his horses in motion.
‘You have known him a long time, I think,’ she said.
‘Since I was seven, actually, when I started school.’
‘How fortunate for you to have such a friend.’
‘You do not?’
‘No. I went to several schools when I was younger and never had the chance to form any close attachments.’
‘Oh, really? Why so?’
‘Father’s work, I suppose.’ She certainly wasn’t going to mention that half the time he’dforgottento pay the fees and she’d been asked to depart after a term or two.
The Duke regarded her silently for a moment, as if he suspected that she wasn’t being forthcoming.
‘He travelled a great deal,’ she added. ‘Diplomatic corps.’
‘I can see how that would make for an unsettled life.’
‘I suppose you have a great many friends like Mr Pettigrew, having attended the same school for years.’
‘I have a great many acquaintances,’ he said, ‘but very few friends like Pettigrew.’
She felt him stiffen slightly andfollowed the direction of his gaze to where a group of young people accompanied by a couple of maids, or perhaps governesses, were walking alongside the gravel road. They seemed to be having an enjoyable time. The young men, or boys really, were jostling elbows with each other, no doubt trying to get the older girls’ attention.
‘Why, that is Miss Simon, is it not? The young woman I saw you dancing with last night.’ The only other woman he had danced with, if she recalled correctly. The woman it was rumoured he thought to make an offer of marriage.
