Page 27 of A Duchess Mistaken
“I do like the thought of lounging next to a lake, however,” Agnes countered with ease. “Perhaps we could even make a picnic out of it. What do you think, Caroline?”
Caroline nodded with a smile, just as Agnes expected her to. “It sounds like a wonderful idea.”
“I shall have Mrs. Adams prepare the picnic then,” His Grace said with a decisive nod.
“And perhaps we could have one of the maids act as chaperone? I think we should give the others some time to relax without worrying about us.”
“I do not think they will be?—”
“A sound idea, Miss Agnes,” the duke interjected, cutting into Paul’s confused protest. “I shall look about it.”
Agnes felt a wave of pleasure wash through her. With the duke’s help, this was going to be far easier than she’d predicted.
Without thinking, she met his eye. He hid his smile behind his cup but there was no mistaking it in his eyes. For a moment, Agnes forgot about the others. As Christopher began telling Paul about the tricks he intended on showing him, Agnes’s mind wandered to this morning and how wonderfully risky it had been. One wrong move and they could have gotten caught. Everything they had planned could have gone horribly wrong. She didn’t like acting in ways that might bring more risk than reward.
But that smile they shared, the moment of understanding that passed between them as their plans were solidified, made it all worth it.
She tried to contain her excitement as the morning gave way to afternoon. Agnes tucked herself into the library and buried hernose into a book about astrology, but she barely read a thing. The only thing she could think about was the horse ride and picnic that was set to happen in a fee hours. And when the time came for her to get ready, there was only one thing on her mind.
The duke.
Agnes told herself that the only reason she donned one of her prettiest dresses was because she had to at least pretend she still cared about being courted by Christopher. She told herself that the reason her heart was stuttering in her chest was because she was expected to lie to her friend again and act as if she wasn’t scheming to ensure Caroline and Christopher found their happy ending. But as she made her way down to the stables where the others waited, Agnes was beginning to wonder just how much of that feeling was true.
“Ah, she finally arrives.”
The smile that touched her lips came with no hesitation. Agnes tried to calm it as she tilted her head to the side, approaching the duke who stood alone at the entrance of the stables. “What an odd way of greeting someone, Your Grace? Were you waiting long?”
The duke nodded, crossing his arms. Despite the stern look he tried to give her, she saw the mirth shining in his eyes. “Yes, we have all been waiting ages for you to arrive. I was beginning to wonder if I should go in search of you myself.”
The sudden thought of the duke knocking on the door of her chambers sent a thrill through her body. “Forgive me, Your Grace. It takes some time to put myself together, you see.”
“I do see.” His eyes ran down the length of her. “And I certainly am not complaining.”
Agnes’ smile slipped, her heart skipping her beat. The duke met her gaze again and blinked as if he hadn’t meant to say such a thing. He scratched the back of his head. “We should join them,” he told her.
Agnes still hadn’t thought of a proper response to that so she only nodded. The moment he turned away, she took a discreet breath, hoping it would chase the heat from her cheeks. She didn’t need Caroline noticing the blush on her cheeks and bringing attention to it.
Together, they made their way inside the stables where Paul, Christopher, Caroline, and a maid bearing the picnic food and items stood. Four horses had been saddled.
“Finally!” Paul exclaimed the moment he laid eyes on them. “I thought you would never show.”
“Patience is a virtue, Paul,” Agnes drawled.
“A virtue I do not need since I possess so many others,” he countered as he swung himself onto one of the steeds. “Let us go, shall we? I do not want to waste any more precious time.”
He revealed an excited grin before he trotted out of the stables. Agnes noticed that Christopher seemed just as eager to do the same. But he turned to her instead.
“Did you not say you were afraid of horses, Miss Agnes?” the duke spoke up before Christopher could get a word in.
Agnes shook her head, ignoring the duke’s brother to the best of her ability. “I did not say I was afraid. I said I did not like them. There is a clear difference.”
“A difference that I shall have to see to believe,” the duke told her. “Allow me.”
He held out his hand. Agnes looked at it for a moment. She knew he was putting on a show, ensuring that they were together to force Caroline and Christopher to ride together instead. Despite that, she couldn’t stop her stomach from flipping when she slid her hand into his.
“Your chivalry is unbecoming, Your Grace,” Agnes drawled, partially because she did not want to make the others believe they were interested in each other and partially to keep herself sane.
“It can be no such thing, Miss Agnes,” he countered with ease. His strong fingers were joined by a hand at her elbow as he guided her to the horse.
