Page 6 of A Duchess Mistaken
Paul scowled at her but she was saved from the inevitable bickering when her mother cleared her throat slightly. “Agnes, you have not yet been introduced to Lord Christopher Harken and the Lady Claymore, the dowager duchess, have you?”
“I have not.” Agnes cursed herself inwardly for having forgotten that there were two strange faces in the room.
Heavens, have I forgotten the reason I am here in the first place?
She pasted a smile onto her face as she looked at the gentleman sitting next to the dowager duchess. He was quite like his brother, the duke, though far lankier with a leaner face. Not to mention the fact that he looked as if he was about to empty his stomach at any moment.
This was the man she was supposed to marry. He was handsome enough, she supposed, though not as devastatingly so as the duke. Agnes blinked, banishing the thought as quickly as it came. She should not be comparing her intended to that of another man. Even if it felt as if that man’s eyes were boring into her at that very moment.
“It is nice meeting you, Lord Christopher,” she greeted politely.
Lord Christopher gave her a weak smile, then winced. He rubbed his temple in a half-hearted attempt to cover it up. “Likewise, Miss Parsons.”
“And it is a pleasure meeting you, Your Grace,” Agnes finished, looking at the dowager duchess.
Her beauty could not go unnoticed. Yet despite the attractive style of her hair and her pleasant features, she looked utterly without life.
“I suppose I am too,” Her Grace murmured. She stared listlessly at the table, nibbling on a piece of toast.
There was an uncomfortable beat of silence before His Grace cleared his throat. “Did you all enjoy your first night’s rest at Claymore Castle?”
“Oh, quite so, Your Grace,” Mary answered chirpily. “I must admit that it took quite a bit of effort getting out of bed this morning. You must tell me from where you procure your bed sheets.”
“I shall have my housekeeper let you know,” he said. “I’m afraid I have not paid much attention to such details.”
“Nor would I have expected you to,” Solomon spoke up. Agnes wouldn’t be surprised if he had his hand under the table holding his wife’s. They’d never been able to keep their hands off each other. “Such details do not concern men, usually.”
“I suppose so,” Mary sighed. “I shall have to add it to the list of other things I wish to ask the housekeeper about then.”
“Perhaps I could assist you with anything you would like to know?” the duke offered. “If it is in regard to the castle, I may be able to appease your curiosities. This residence has a rather rich history, after all.”
Agnes didn’t look at the duke as much as she paid attention to his words. He was rather polite and approachable this morningit seemed. Not nearly as abrupt as he had been last night. Though perhaps that had only been reserved for her.
“Brother, please,” Lord Christopher groaned, pressing the heel of his hand against his temple. “I hope you do not intend to bore our guests with such things.”
The duke’s jaw twitched. It was slight, quick, and hardly noticeable. Agnes would have missed it if she hadn’t been staring at him so intently, despite her better judgment.
“Only if they wish to hear of it,” His Grace said after a moment, long enough to make her know that he was choosing his words carefully.
“I doubt anyone would want to know of such things,” Mr. Harken grumbled. He reached for his cup and took a deep gulp of whatever was inside.
The silence that ensued afterward was strife with tension. Agnes looked from Lord Christopher’s obliviousness of his brother’s growing ire, to the way the duke clenched his jaw, to Mr. Chistopher slumping his chair, to His Grace’s left eye twitching.
She watched as the duke swallowed his rise of emotions and said in an even tone, “You must forgive my brother’s crassness. He is feeling rather unwell, you see.”
“I’m sure your brother can speak for himself,” Agnes said before she could stop herself.
The duke’s thick, dark brows raised slightly in surprise. Even Lord Christopher sat up a bit straighter, clearly not expecting to hear such a thing.
“I did not mean to imply that he did not,” the duke said at last.
“If that is the case, you have failed. Though if the words were said out of care, then I suppose I can understand.”
This time, His Grace’s brows dipped all the way down into a frown.
Agnes looked away from him, focusing her attention on the gentleman who deserved it. He was the reason she was here after all.
“Please, sir, you needn’t force yourself to be here if you are feeling unwell. I’m sure no one will mind if you take some time to recover.”
