Page 21 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
“He seems especially interested in the world of nature. Has he always had that interest?”
Those green eyes and that fair complexion complemented by the pearly grey gown. I could drown in those eyes.
“He’s always been inquisitive, but his interest in creatures and the world of nature started last year. We went to look at a museum in London, and he became interested in exploring the world about him.”
“He knows a lot. He’s caring with animals, too. He wasn’t scared to be hurt to protect his dog.”
“He’s a brave boy; he’s had to be in the last two years. His father gave him Dash on his sixth birthday, just before he died. It makes the spaniel even more important to him.”
Lady Thraxton interrupted them. “I see you two are getting to know each other. Excellent. I was going to suggest you went in to dinner together. We’ll be going through in a few minutes.
The small group of neighbours formed a line, ready to process through to dinner. Robert noticed his mother, engaged in conversation with a local widowed landowner and his sister with what he took to be the man’s son.
He knew his mother could appear haughty and proud, he’d seen her in action, but at social events like this, whereshe felt comfortable, she was every inch the assured duchess, showing genuine interest in the lives of her neighbours.
He held out his arm for Lady Farrington on which to place hers. He kept talking, small talk about the village and local sights.
As they moved forward, the thrill of awareness of the lady walking next to him, coursing through his body, absorbed his attention, making it difficult to maintain the conversation. As he guided her into her seat at the dining table and eased into his next to her, he knew there was nowhere he would rather be and no one he would rather be with.
He’d misunderstood and misrepresented this lovely young woman sitting next to him. He’d apologized the day before in the woodland, but it didn’t seem adequate. He didn’t want to draw her attention back to the incident; he wanted her to think positively of him and build on the developing rapprochement between them. But he knew he had been unfair in his words on Sunday in the woods.
Chapter 8
Arabella felt relief at being able to sit down at the table. Her legs felt weak, and the butterflies in her stomach were twirling and whirling, making it difficult to concentrate.
As soon as she had entered the drawing room and seen the duke, she had felt a heightened awareness of everything around her. Voices seemed louder one moment and fainter the next. The floor almost seemed to be moving as she walked across the room, smiling at her cousin and maintaining her composure.
Thank goodness that all ladies need to do at social events is to smile and nod with interest. I am struggling to listen to anything the duke says to me. This is most unlike me.
It was still sinking in that the handsome stranger who had fallen off his horse in the woods was the Duke of Montbury. Whenever they met, there always seemed to be a moment when they made eye contact and struggled to break the connection and look away. This evening in the drawing room, she was surprised that no one had noticed. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered that moment.
This attentive, interesting gentleman sitting beside her had no resemblance to the angry rider thrown from his horse in the lane.
Arabella decided to enjoy this evening. She had escaped from Farrington Hall and evaded her cousin. She was with a family who loved her, sitting next to a handsome duke who showed every sign of being interested in her conversation. After two years of continual anxiety, she was going to enjoy this evening of pleasant company. Aunt Grace had even mentioned the possibility of impromptu dancing or singing if the evening went well.
Sir Joseph was seated at the head of the table, with Elinor on one side and herself on the other. Nathaniel was seated next to Elinor and the duke at Arabella’s side.
“I always look forward to this time of year,” said Sir Joseph. “We have quite a number of social events for such a small community.”
“It always feels like summer hasn’t arrived until we have the summer fair,” said Elinor. “You’re right, Sir Joseph, it’s one of my favourite events of the year.”
“I didn’t know there was a summer fair,” said Arabella. “Tell me about it.”
While they discussed the summer social calendar, the first course of white soup was served. Arabella savoured the flavour of almonds, stock, and cream.
“The village is transformed,” said Elinor. “It has its roots back in medieval days. I believe there used to be a travelling fair, but these days every stall is run by a local shop or family. It’s quite a sight.”
“I used to love the pony cart rides as a child. It’s one of my first memories,” said the duke.
Arabella hardly noticed the plates being changed as she listened to stories about the Montbury Fair.
The footmen served mutton with haricot beans, steaming hot from the kitchen, and the side dish of asparagus from the Horton garden was a meal in itself.
By the time pot pies were placed down the middle of the table, Arabella was sure she couldn’t eat another bite. A mixture of carrots, swedes, and leeks, covered by white sauce, and swathed in pastry.
“When is the fair this year?” she asked
“It’s early this year, in two weeks’ time,” said Elinor.
