Page 22 of The Duke's Hidden Scandal
For Colin’s part he was captivated by Lady Wentworth and could not think of a happier coincidence than happening upon her today. She looked very lovely in a light muslin dress, her eyes coming alive in a unique way around the subject she so loved. Poetry was clearly her passion; she was excited by everything. He rather pitied Lord Preston; she already had five books under her arm.
“Have you read Thomas Moore, your Grace?” she asked.
“I confess I have not.”
“It is not for everyone, but I found it quite beautiful.‘T’is the last rose of summer’is just wonderful. I highly recommend his Irish Melodies, and they even have Felicia Hamen here! Oh, I have wanted to read her book for an age.”
The duke laughed. “Lady Wentworth, you appear to have seven volumes instead of three.”
She looked down at them, and the look of disappointment was almost comical. He felt a wave of deep affection for her and made the decision before he had even realized what he would say.
“I am afraid I shall have to purchase those Lord Preston cannot,” he said firmly. “He did tell you to think of his purse after all, but I do not believe I can bear to see you put them back now.”
He held out his hands for the books, and she looked at him in utter amazement.
Charlotte could not believe her eyes. The duke had transformed into an entirely new man in a matter of seconds. His face had lost all of its severity, a slight smile kicking up at the corner of his mouth. To anyone who did not know the nature of their discussion, he might have looked as though he was smirking, but she knew he was not. He looked happy; that was the difference, and she realized in their brief meetings, he had looked profoundly sad.
“You would buy them for me, your Grace? I could not possibly ask you to do that. I am happy to put them on my father’s account.”
“Not at all. I would be delighted to do so. I have been educated in the great poets of our time and have a new reading list to add to my ever-growing literary education. Come, I insist.”
He took four of the volumes from her hands, and as she felt his fingers brush her own a spark of connection erupted between them that took her by surprise.
Their eyes locked and held for an endless moment just as Sarah bustled through the shelves toward them with a meaningful look and stood between them in a most pointed fashion.
“His Grace has offered to purchase me some poems, Miss Gilmore,” Charlotte said hurriedly, seeing the light in her companion’s eye grow brighter as she looked between them.
“That is most kind, Your Grace,” Sarah said evenly.
The duke gave the same slight smile. “I have not had the pleasure of purchasing a gift for another in a long while. It would be my honour to do so now.”
Charlotte followed him back to the main entryway of the shop, where Malcolm and Lady Ludlow were still talking animatedly. Malcolm was explaining why he hatedTheMysteries of Udolphoand Lady Ludlow was explaining why he was wrong; they appeared to be having a wonderful time disagreeing with one another.
Despite numerous protestations from Malcolm, the duke purchased the books with little fanfare. He even had them wrapped for her. Malcolm gave Charlotte a meaningful glare, and she felt heat rise up her neck, cursing her easy blushes.
In truth, the gesture of the books meant more to her than she could possibly say, and she tried hard to conceal her feelings from everyone around her.
***
After the bookshop, as they were now a group of four, Sarah agreed to meet Charlotte later as she had some errands to run in town.
That was how Charlotte found herself at Gunter’s with Lady Ludlow, the duke, and Malcolm, all enjoying an ice together at one of the tables within the shop. The day had grown incredibly hot, and they were all grateful for the cold refreshment.
“I simply cannot understand how you dislike Emily,” Elizabeth was saying to Malcolm, still speaking about Ann Radcliff’sUdolphowith mock irritation.
“My favourite character is Madame Cheron,” Malcolm said impishly.
“For shame! You cannot mean it.”
Malcolm laughed heartily. “I can indeed. She is far more interesting. Whatever possessed her to marry Montoni in the first place is the real mystery.”
“It is no mystery at all, she does it to gain social standing and is heartless with it.”
“Now, now,” Colin said quickly as Elizabeth looked ready to launch herself across the table to defend her favourite heroine.“Perhaps we should change the subject before you come to blows.”
It was evident to Charlotte that a more likely outcome was for Lord Preston to propose to Lady Ludlow on the spot. The interest on his side was obvious, but Elizabeth’s own view was more difficult to read. The Ludlows were very good at hiding their feelings from view.
Charlotte’s eyes were incessantly drawn to Gunter’s all around them, and Colin found himself smiling at her admiration.
