Page 14 of A Duchess Mistaken
“It was…nice.”
“Simply nice?” Agnes leaned forward. “Was he not attentive to you?”
“He was quite attentive. He was gentle and kind and he showed much interest in the things I liked to do. I think he is wonderful, if not a bit stoic.”
“Then why do you wear such an expression?”
“What expression?”
Agnes tilted her head. “You look as if you’re worried about something. Did he say something untoward to you?”
Caroline shook her head, avoiding Agnes’ eyes. “No, he didn’t.”
Agnes said nothing, studying her friend’s face. Then she stood, brushing the skirt of her dress back into place.
“Where are you going?” Caroline asked with a frown.
“To see the duke. Clearly, he has done something so horrible that you cannot even speak to me about it. I shall get it out of him myself.”
Caroline caught Agnes’ hand just as she began walking away, laughing. “Oh, heavens, you are so overprotective.”
“You are like a sister to me,” Agnes said seriously. “I will not take kindly to anyone hurting or disrespecting you.”
“The duke has not done anything, Agnes. I assure you.”
Agnes stared at her for a while longer. Something was clearly wrong. Caroline had never been very good at hiding heremotions. Even the smile on her face seemed a little forced. But whatever it was, she clearly did not want to talk about it.
So Agnes quelled her urge to get to the bottom of it and reclaimed her spot. “Very well. Just know that the duke will remain on thin ice until he has proven that he is worthy of your heart.”
Caroline’s smile grew a little tighter as she nodded. “Of that, I have no doubt.”
CHAPTER 7
Johnathan stared at the glass of whiskey sitting on the desk before him. He had poured the blasted thing five minutes ago and was yet to take a sip, his mind whirling with too many things at once.
He shouldn’t drink it. Johnathan was not good at handling his alcohol. A few sips and his head would start to swim. Considering the fact that dinner was set to begin at any moment, Johnathan knew he would be playing with fire if he dared to indulge.
On the other hand, it would certainly calm his nerves. He had been on edge ever since this morning, ever since Miss Caroline arrived, and he’d loathed to let his agitation show during dinner. He didn’t think the astute Miss Agnes would miss it. She didn’t seem to miss anything.
Yet another reason he should down the drink and be done with it. He didn’t want to argue with Miss Agnes like he had done this morning.
A knock came at the door. Johnathan didn’t look up from the whiskey as he said, “Come.”
Mrs. Adams slipped in. “Dinner is ready, Your Grace.”
“I see.” He didn’t move, drumming his fingers against the desk. Should he? Thinking about Miss Agnes tempted him to drink the whiskey. He didn’t like how often he thought of her. Perhaps before he could indulge in conversation, but now that Miss Caroline was here, it was clear where his attention should lie. Not with Miss Agnes and her all-seeing, warm brown eyes but with the lovely Miss Caroline who was set to be his wife.
“Your Gace?”
Johnathan shot to a stand, picked up the glass, and downed it in one go.
“Your Grace!” Mrs. Adams exclaimed.
He gritted his teeth against the burn currently assaulting his throat. It pained him all the way to his stomach, bringing tears to his eyes. After a few seconds, he blinked them away and looked at his horrified housekeeper.
“The guests are in the parlor, correct?”
She nodded wordlessly, closing her slack jaw.
