Page 38 of A Lady of Means
“I’m not sure I take your meaning,” she said, stealing a glance at the bunched fabric as it stretched over the muscles of his arms as he held his coat over them.Dukes didn’t have such muscular arms, but this one did.
“You’ve turned down no less than eight marriage proposals, if the books at White’s are to be believed.All of which, had me feeling like such a cad for being…relieved.”
“Well, three of them were from the Earl of Essex who was rather persistent so it’s really more like…five.If one is being singularly technical about it.”
“He must have done a properly bad job of it then.I think I’d need only the one were I to take it in my head to propose to the lady of my choice.”
Moria’s eyebrows hit her hairline.“Quite the boast for a man who’s never made a proposal of his own.Who knew the Duke of Andover had such a cheeky wit.”
He did that thing where his lips flinched like he wanted to laugh but reined it in.
The rain let up finally, and the clouds opened up.Her groom called to her, “Your ladyship!You still alright?”
“I’m fine, Houndsley!”she answered, removing herself from her all-too-friendly vicinity to the Duke.She wiped away the hair plastered to her face and replaced her hat to conceal her mussed hair.
“Race you back to Pembrooke House!”she called to the Duke, spurring her horse on.With a muttered curse from him and a “you cheeky little she-devil!”from Houndsley, both men clamored after her.Regina was all speed and agility, a mount fit for a queen.
She turned her head to see the Duke trotting after her, laughing.She had the lead on him, but she was in side-saddle.(Or was she?)
Faster than wind, was Regina.Moria tossed her head back to the sky and let out a whoop.Finally, he came close enough to catch up to her and she slowed her horse with her reins.Houndsley was still lecturing her as she handed him the reins; but as usual, she wasn’t listening.
Andover came up beside her and said, “There’s no way you’re really riding side saddle or am I thoroughly embarrassed, my lady.”
Moria let out a girlish laugh as he helped her from her horse and into his waiting carriage.When he placed his hand at her elbow, the other at her back to assist her with the stepping block, she felt…warm.Wildfire didn’t race through her veins and her breath didn’t hitch.But there was a kind of amiability, a companionship between them that perhaps she could grow accustomed to.
ChapterSixteen
Precious furs,peacocks, pearls, and now a pianoforte.One must have deep pockets to woo London’s favorite debutante, and even then, all bets are off.
-Scandalous Lives of London,scandal sheet
* * *
Moria turnedup on her own doorstep to a very disgruntled Jasper who greeted her with a towel to wrap
around her shoulders.Really, it was very cute the way he took her hand and towed her inside chastising her like she was a child of seven, slamming the door in the Duke’s face.
“You are absolutely soaked to the bone, my girl.Go upstairs and change.I’ll see to the Duke.”
“You slammed the door.He’s still outside on the stoop.”
“Oh dear god,” Jasper’s hazel eyes widened in mortification, “I slammed my front door on a Duke!”He pointed at her with an accusatory finger, “And you let me, Moria!”
“I couldn’t get a word in edgewise, Jas.”
Jasper leaned in and kissed the top of her head.“I’d hug you, but you’re?—”
“I know, I'll go upstairs and change.”
“I’ll go make obsequious apologies to the Duke.”
Moria paused at the bottom of the stairs, still dripping.“Probably just pour him a brandy.”
“I’ll do that.”
Moria took three steps up the stairs but something just inside the open door of the sitting room caught her eyes.
“Jas?Where did the piano come from?”she cried out at the same time the Duke entered with an affronted: “I’m not going to keep running after you, my lady.”
