Page 71 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
Likely why she was so well-educated. As well as her life experiences, of course.
‘And your summers?’
‘Mostly at boarding school. Once I was invited to go to visit a friend for two weeks and another summer I spent with my Aunt Lenore, but the poor dear found me far too exhausting.’
‘Summers at boarding school? But surely everyone is gone in the summer?’
She turned her gaze on him and took a thoughtful sip of her tea. He had the feeling she was playing for time. Getting her emotions under control.
For some strange reason he wanted her to reveal her true feelings. It didn’t make any sense. There was nothing worse than listening to people complain about their circumstances.
She smiled briefly. ‘There was usually someone there. The housekeeper. Footmen. The gardener.’
Was that hurt he saw in her eyes? He could imagine his own feelings of sadness if he hadn’t been able to go to Woodburn in the summer holidays. He tried to keep the astonishment out of his voice. ‘You could not join your father?’
‘I did,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘When I was old enough to be of use.’ She put down her cup and turned towards him. ‘But enough of these childhood memories. Perhaps you will show me around the cottage. I saw very little of it when we were here the other evening.’
Chapter Eleven
Barbara had seen something like sympathy in Xavier’s piercing blue eyes. Had she somehow let her disappointment at her father’s abandonment for so many summers show in her voice?
The last thing she wanted was his pity.
She wanted him intrigued and enchanted, not pitying.
‘Show me the garden. Last time, I had an impression of lawn and trees lit by the moon, but very little else.’
His beautiful smile warmed her insides. ‘Certainly.’ He took her hand and brought her to her feet.
‘It is a very small property. I hope you will not be disappointed.’
He opened the French doors and they stepped outside.
‘As you see, it is quite secluded.’
It was indeed. Tall bushes and hedges obscured the view on both sides. Flower beds, with roses bushes not yet in bloom along with other plants, hugged each side of the lawn in front of the hedges.
Grass, recently mowed, swept down to the river, which was partially hidden by an enormous willowtree whose twisted branches dangled long pale green fronds into the water.
He linked his fingers with hers and they walked down the flagstone path to the edge of the water.
A small and ancient wooden platform jutted a couple of feet out from the bank. ‘No wonder our landing the other night was so unsteady,’ she said.
‘I know. I should never have attempted landing there in the dark. It could have ended in disaster.’
‘It was fun.’
His frown deepened. ‘It was reckless.’
She laughed. ‘Stop worrying so much.’ She turned to look at the cottage from this angle. ‘What a pretty place it is to be sure.’
They walked back up the gentle rise.
‘I think you have seen most of the inside,’ he said, ushering her in. ‘There is another bedroom at the front, which the last tenant used for a work room.’ He opened the door to a chamber that looked out onto the street.
The room was bare except for a large table and curtains at the window.
‘And next door here,’ he opened a door, ‘is a room for bathing.’
