Page 30 of A Duchess Mistaken
A breathy laugh sounded behind him, warming him from the inside. “Well, perhaps not dreadfully…”
The lake came into view, followed by a sharp stab of dread and disappointment that their banter would soon come to an end. Johnathan tried to ignore it, tried to ignore the others who were already dismounting by the bank.
“I have a new goal then, Miss Agnes,” Johnathan told her. “I do not wish for you to find me dull so I shall do whatever I can to change your mind.”
“Alongside your already overwhelming quest to bring your brother happiness?” she asked, her voice light with humor. “You are rather ambitious, Your Grace.”
“It is necessary in the role that I am in, you see.”
“Ah, I see, of course.”
Johnathan chuckled, pleased to hear her join in with her laughter. But the joy was quickly coming to an end. They were close enough to the others to be overheard so they both fell quiet. But he longed for the conversation once more, suddenly craving the sound of her laughter. And the feel of her hands on his waist, the simple touch that set him ablaze, filled his mind with things he could not understand.
The thought overwhelmed him. So much so that the moment he arrived at the lake, he dismounted, moving with such fervency that Miss Agnes gasped in surprise.
He turned back to face her, holding out a hand. She stared down at him in bemusement and confusion. He could all but hear the questions racing through her mind.
Johnathan hoped she wouldn’t voice them. He couldn’t understand them himself so he knew he stood little chance at explaining why he was acting so oddly all of a sudden.
To his relief, she said nothing. She only took his hand and allowed him to help her off the horse. Johnathan didn’t let go of her hand right away. Her eyes lifted to his, questions shining behind her enchanting dark brown eyes.
“What are you two waiting on?” Mr. Parsons called impatiently.
Miss Agnes swiftly pulled her hand away, tucking it behind her. Johnathan could not recover as quickly as she could. He was left blinking at the spot she was standing in as she walked away.
“What did I say about patience, Paul?” she drawled back.
Johnathan watched her go for a beat, drawing in a breath. What was coming over him? It felt as if he was being pulled out of a trance that he hadn’t noticed he’d fallen into. Every step she took away from Johnathan felt as if he could breathe a little better.
“Your Grace?”
Miss Caroline’s voice broke him from his reverie. He’d been so lost in thought that he hadn’t noticed when she’d approached.
“Are you all right?” she asked, concerned.
Johnathan nodded. “I am fine. It’s just been some time since I’ve last visited the lake. My duties keep me away from the things I previously enjoyed, you see.”
She stood by his side, facing the glistening, dark blue lake as well. Christopher and Paul were already engaged with their horses, getting to the meat of why they’d come out here in the first place. But Johnathan’s gaze was immediately drawn to Miss Agnes, who was now helping the maid set up the picnic.
“It is beautiful,” Miss Caroline sighed, once again pulling him from the thoughts he’d been quickly falling back into. “I always feel quite a peace near the water.”
“Have you seen the sea?”
She shook her head, smiling ruefully. “It is my wish to visit Bath with Agnes and her family. Though I believe she will be spending more time on the shore than in the water with me.”
“Is she afraid of the sea as well?”
Miss Caroline laughed at that. “She will never admit it but I do sense much apprehension when the topic is brought up.”
Johnathan felt a smile of his own tug on his lips, his eyes drawn back to the lady in question. She had her back turned to them, pointing at several spots on the blanket as if ordering the maid on what to do.
“How…intriguing,” he managed at last.
“Agnes? Quite so. I do not think there is a single person in England like her.”
The pride of which she spoke told of the friendship they shared. When Johnathan looked at Miss Caroline, he noticed the prideful smile on her lips.
“Oh, she’s looking at us. Smile and wave, Your Grace.”
