Page 24 of Her Duke By Accident
“There is nothing ill to be said of Garvey Manor,” he snapped, not realizing how fast he suddenly spoke, as if there was a need to defend himself. “Many women have come to find it open and accepted their role as duchess with open arms.”
“Have they?” Alicia asked in a teasing manner, slender eyebrows raised at him.
Matthew gaped. “You were?—”
“Teasing,” she finished in a soft voice. “I did not mean to offend, Your Grace.” She gave him a tired smile. “The estate is lovely.”
He felt his heart calm for a moment. Never had he felt the need to defend his home in such a way, like a child who had no self-security.
Why should I doubt the home I have such pride in?Matthew asked himself, watching the duchess as she paid attention to her plate.Why should her opinion matter?He scoffed to himself.
Matthew breathed deeply to calm down his racing mind. “Are you fond of art?” he asked, uncomfortable in the heavy silence.
“It is pleasing to look at,” she replied with a light laugh. “I wouldn’t say I’m fond if it.”
The quiet swallowed them whole once more. Matthew tried to fight his agitation as he looked upon her, seemingly so comfortable in the silence. He clenched a fork in his hand as he watched her. Her comfort brought a curiosity to him that he couldn’t understand.
Alicia took a sip of her drink and asked, “do you have any gardens, Your Grace?”
“Well, of course,” he said. “Are you interested in gardening?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Matthew held in his relief, but he was satisfied with finding something with which the duchess could occupy her time. “We will tour them soon so you may peruse them at your leisure,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said, softly, giving him an appreciative smile.
“Do you like to garden yourself?” he asked.
Alicia dabbed at her mouth with a cotton napkin. “I have only gardened a few times in the past, but I enjoyed it. Perhaps I can learn more here.”
“I’m sure the groundskeeper would be more than happy to assist you.”
She gave him a wide smile. “I would like that, Your Grace.”
“Is there a certain flower you like?”
Alicia pressed her lips together. “Are you,” she teased, “asking me what my favorite flower is, Your Grace?”
Swallowing down his pride, Matthew frowned at her. “You’re teasing me again.”
“I’m sorry,” she laughed lightly. “I appreciate you asking, Your Grace. My mother always grew hyacinths in the spring.”
“Not tulips?”
“Of course there were tulips,” she said. “But the craze of them was… too much, I’d say. They were just simple flowers.”
Matthew smirked. “Simple flowers that cost a fortune.”
“Hyacinths,” she mused, a nostalgic smile pulling at her lips, “make me think of having plenty.”
“Why is that?”
“They are bulbous when they blossom, and are rather large. They remind me of being abundant, and being abundant is a good thing to be.”
“I suppose so,” he said, watching her face as she talked of flowers. There was a childlike joy in her features, a sparkle in her eye as she reminisced. “We will order some seeds.”
Alicia paused as she tilted her head at him. “That isn’t necessary, Your Grace.”
