Page 51 of A Duchess Mistaken
Agnes shifted again. It seemed she was trying to face the window even further.
“The season ends in a short few months,” Lady Reeds mused. “Perhaps that is not a bad idea.”
“Then we shall?—”
“Have we already arrived?” Agnes spoke up suddenly, cutting into the earl’s words.
Johnathan was all too eager to lean towards the window to see. He heard her draw in a sharp breath at his sudden closeness and he tried not to turn to look at her. His face was already close enough to hers and if he did…
“Yes, we have arrived,” he confirmed, grateful that his voice did not betray the racing of his heart. He straightened. “Lord and Lady Reeds, perhaps we could continue this conversation another time.”
“I shall make sure of it, Your Grace,” Lord Reeds said stiffly.
Johnathan didn’t doubt it. He nodded, accepting the fact that he would have to speak with the earl about Miss Caroline and Christopher earlier than he’d wanted to.
For now, he should only focus on one thing. Ensuring that everyone saw their underlying love for each other. Nothing else mattered but that.
Especially not navigating the company of the beautiful and sagacious lady sitting next to him.
CHAPTER 19
The village located close to Claymore Estate was far more sizable than Agnes had imagined. What she’d expected to be small and quaint, with rough, dirt roads and sparse buildings, she found a thriving community with an electrifying atmosphere. As a lady who had spent most of her life living in London, she was in awe of the lovely mixture of countryside simplicity and town-like hubbub.
She strolled arm in arm with Caroline as they made their way to what Christopher described as the shopping district. As they drew closer, it seemed to be a long winding road lined with shops and open carts, vendors standing at attention ready to sell their wares.
“This is wonderful, is it not?” she marveled aloud.
“Yes, I must admit that I am happy we decided to do this,” Caroline agreed, wearing the brightest smile Agnes had seen from her in days. “Perhaps I may be able to purchase a new shawl or a new comb.”
“You may have anything your heart desires, Miss Caroline,” Christopher interjected. He strolled behind them, with Johnathan on one side of him and his newest best friend, Paul, on the other. Agnes made a concerted effort not to look at the tall duke.
“Anything?” Caroline repeated, her eyes glittering with excitement. “You overexaggerate, my lord.”
“That I do not,” Christopher said with a grin. “This village may not be as large as other towns but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in commerce. Many oftentimes travel a great length to purchase wares from these shops.”
“I cannot imagine what could be possessed here that cannot be possessed elsewhere,” Agnes spoke up.
Christopher grinned and he walked a little quicker, stopping by Caroline’s side. Paul did the same, coming to Christopher’s side and so that left Johnathan, who of course chose to walk next to Agnes. In the line they created, they cut quite the sight, drawing more attention to them. Though Agnes was sure that had more to do with the handsome duke in their midst.
“Where else would you be able to find a mirror blessed by a soothsayer?” Christopher asked Agnes, raising a brow.
Agnes stifled her laughter. “I was not aware that soothsayers were capable of giving blessings.”
“It may be a new skill we do not know of,” Caroline laughed.
“Soothsayers can see into the future,” said Paul with all the wisdom of a young man who thought he knew it all. “So why wouldn’t they be able to bless an inanimate object?”
“You are far too naive, brother,” Agnes sighed. “If that soothsayer gets you in their clutches, you will turn us penniless.”
“I am sure you will be there to wring my ear if I dare spend too much.”
Agnes gave her brother a saccharine smile. “You know me too well.”
Christopher released a loud and dramatic sigh. “I do not think they are taking me seriously, John.”
“Good,” Johnathan spoke at last. “I do not think that they should.”
Agnes couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up her throat at that. Johnathan grinned down at her.
