Page 22 of Never Second Guess a Lord
“No,” she said softly, her blush only deepening.
“Perhaps someday?”
“Unlikely.”
He searched her eyes. “Are you sure?”
Her gaze lingered on his face. “Not at all.”
“Good,” he said just as softly, aroused at the implication. While he wanted to say one thing, he sensed it best to voice another for now. “Because my dearest friends call me by my given name, and I do hope you will be such someday, as I find you most interesting.”
“As do I, you,” she replied quickly enough to satisfy him. Satisfy her, too, based on the way tension eased from her shoulders.
He arched a brow. “Then might we begin anew once again, my lady?”
She met his small smile. “I would like that.”
“Excellent.” While he wanted to keep touching her soft hands, intimacy was not what she needed right now. So he stood and bowed at the waist. “It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Barrington.” He held out his elbow. “Might I show you around the parts of MacLauchlin Castle you might not have seen on previous tours?”
“It is very nice to make your acquaintance as well, Your Grace.” She stood and curtsied before slipping her arm into his. “Thank you ever so much for your offer. While a pleasant, informative gentleman gave me a tour yesterday, I must admit I long to see more. Therefore, your offer sounds delightful.” A smile hovered on her delectable mouth. “Are you up to the challenge, though, I wonder?
“Very much so.” While she was most certainly playing along, he could not help but wonder. Was the prim and proper Lady Barrington actuallyflirting? “I think you might find my knowledge of this castle quite sound.”
“I would hope so, given your confidence.”
He chuckled. “As would I.”
Fortunately, their playful banter continued, and with drinks in hand, they resumed their tour of the castle. Where he most certainly enjoyed yesterday with her, tonight was all that much better. Not because she looked so stunning, as he found her just as alluring the eve before, but because there was a new ease between them. A comfortable comradery he quite liked.
They started with a tour of the second floor, beginning with an introduction to the numerous ancestors peering down from portraits overlooking the staircase. “From the three MacLauchlin brothers who resurrected this castle post-war centuries ago to all their descendants, many interesting characters have called this castle home.” He gestured at one lass in particular. “Most especially, Lady Annabel.”
“Do tell.” Prudence gazed up at the painting. Her lovely eyes flashed with excitement. “Because she does look quite mysterious, does she not?”
“Some think so.” He led her to the top of the stairs and gestured at the hallway to their right. “Especially those who believed Harrowing Hall was once haunted.”
He liked how her eyes continued sparkling with anticipation. How they had a way of making him feel what she felt.
“Oh, but for tall tales.” Prudence looked skyward. “As Maude did gush about it a time or two in her letters.” She rounded her eyes at him. “Surely, you did not believe all that silliness.”
“Not really.” They strolled that way. “But I did like how it brought Lord and Lady MacLauchlin even closer together.”
“A ghost that was not real?”
“At least not to us.” He shrugged. “But it was to them, and that was what mattered most.”
“I suppose you must be right.” She considered it. “I imagine common ground is helpful.”
“As would I.”
“Did you share such with your late wife?” Prudence’s hand fluttered to her chest. Her brow furrowed. “Apologies, Your Grace. It is not like me to speak so out of turn. I beg of you to dismiss the question.”
“I will do no such thing,” he said, grateful she had been comfortable enough to ask. It opened the door to asking about her marriage down the line and helping her heal from it. “I do not mind speaking of my late wife.” He gave her a pointed look. “Especially to friends. That said, I did share common ground with Elizabeth, and it was beneficial to my marriage. Very much so.”
In truth, he shared more common ground with Prudence, but it was far too soon to say so.
“That is lovely to hear,” she said, clearly dubious. “Though I am afraid I will have to take your word for such being beneficial to a marriage.”
Which told him everything he suspected of her late husband. The two shared nothing in common. But then, he could not see Barrington being the sort to care much about having friendships with women. Not when he had made it clear to anyone willing to listen that the fairer sex was only good for breeding and pleasuring him.
