Page 35 of A Duchess Mistaken
“What does concern me, however, is Caroline’s wellbeing.” She clasped her hands before her, turning her steady gaze to the side of the room where Miss Caroline stood. “And I do believe I have thought of a way to convince everyone that they should be a match.”
Johnathan hesitated. He didn’t miss the hint of cold distance in her tone. But he supposed that was what he deserved after he’d so plainly pushed her away.
“What is that?” he asked at last.
She opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the butler appearing at the door.
“Dinner is served,” the butler announced before sliding back out.
Miss Agnes looked up at him. “Shall we?”
All he could do was nod and follow her lead out the room.
CHAPTER 14
Dinner passed in discomfort. Agnes tried to ignore it as best as she could. Which meant she tried to ignore the duke as best as she could. But she quickly found that feat to be almost impossible.
The tension was palpable. It was all she could think about throughout dinner. And she was sure that the duke felt the same way if the constant glances her way was any indication. Every time their eyes met, she saw the question simmering in his blue eyes.
Was I out of line?
Agnes didn’t like her silent answer to his unspoken question so she only looked away every time she spotted it. She knew the truth. He had not been out of line. In fact, he’d reminded her of where they stood with each other and where her focus should lie.
She knew she shouldn’t feel like this. This was a completely irrational sensation and yet the only thing simmering in the center of her chest was pure and utter embarrassment.
It serves me right for prying into someone else’s life.
Agnes pushed the peas around her plate, unable to stop herself from glancing up at the duke again. Conversation swirled about their heads. Christopher was silent, also pushing his food about his plate as if he couldn’t find his appetite. Paul was desperately trying to keep up with the conversation between Lord Reeds and Solomon. Caroline was saying something to the duke that Agnes could not hear, publicly falling back into the role she was meant to play.
The duke wasn’t listening, however. Agnes knew that. Every time their eyes met, she knew that his mind was worlds away.
“It was a marvelous dinner, Your Grace,” Lady Reeds said once the dessert course was being cleared away. Only then did Agnes realize that she’d hardly eaten a thing. She was still hungry.
“Thank you, my lady,” the duke responded gruffly, clearing his throat. “I should pass along your compliments to our cook.”
“If you so wish, Your Grace,” Lady Reeds responded with a tight smile. “Shall we retire to the parlor? Caroline could play for us once more. Isn’t that right, Caroline?”
“Yes, Aunt,” Caroline answered with a smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes.
“Then perhaps Agnes could pair the playing with her singing,” Solomon interjected. “She has a beautiful voice, though she hardly uses it.”
“And that is for a reason, Father,” Agnes murmured.
Solomon was quick to wave her off. “Nonsense, my dear. I’m sure Lord Christopher would love to hear you sing.”
Christopher’s only response to that was a small smile.
Agnes felt a pang of pity for the gentleman. It was clear putting up a front of interest for another lady was beginning to wear down on him. But she saw her chance, nonetheless.
“Very well,” Agnes conceded with a heavy sigh. “But only if Caroline agrees to sing with me as well.”
“Ah, a lady of many talents, is she not, brother?” the duke joined in.
Agnes tried not to look at him. She felt his gaze boring into the side of her face, heating her from her core, but she held on to the last bit of willpower she had left.
“It sounds like we have made our decision then,” Lord Reeds stated, rather impatiently getting to his feet. “Let us make for the parlor.”
He was the first to leave the room, Lady Reeds on his heels. Agnes felt her breath quicken when the duke stood and made his way over to her.
