Page 65 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
“Giles!” Sidney exploded, his grin stretching his face so that his cheeks ached. “You didn’t tell me. How did you meet Lady Camilla?” He got to his feet, but Giles had already departed briskly, and he did not wish to delay him. He sank back onto the chair with a bemused grin.
At fifteen minutes before five, Sidney stood and hurried to his room. He glanced at his hair in the looking glass, smoothing it carefully with a steady hand. Then he hurried down the stairs and to the coach, which was waiting to take him to the park.
“I shall return at seven, Your Grace,” the coachman called out as he hurried away.
“Thank you,” Sidney replied under his breath as he shifted his shoulders in the jacket and hurried to the park.
***
Anastasia stood at the gate to Hyde Park. It was exactly five o’ clock, and a cool wind blew across the park, making the leaves on the trees shiver and rustling in the grass. She drew her cloak tighter around her.
“I suppose he might be delayed,” she murmured to Rachel, who stood waiting in her black uniform. Rachel tilted her head.
“It’s only just five, milady,” she said lightly.
Anastasia swallowed and nodded. “You’re right.”
She looked around, wishing she did not feel so nervous. The park was slowly filling up, ladies taking an evening stroll after tea and gentlemen in top-hats and tailcoats trying to ignore admiring stares, all the while seeming also to look for them. She smiled to herself. Thoughts of Sidney were never far. Ever since they had spoken yesterday, he had slipped into her mindwhenever she was still even for a second. She smiled often, a grin lifting her lips without her even knowing it.
She gazed around, feeling a little tense. She looked down at her gown. She had chosen one she did not wear often, but which Lily assured her suited her well. It was a white muslin with a tiny pattern of flowers in pale blue. The sleeves were translucent puffs, the waist defined with a pale blue ribbon. She tucked a curl of hair back from her eyes. It was fashionably styled in ringlets in the front, but loosely, the way she preferred, not the tight, formal ringlets of balls and soirees.
She did not ever want to dress that way again. Lord Ridley would have been shocked by anything else, and she wanted more than anything simply to forget him and all about him.
The sound of coach wheels made her look up. A coach was rolling past, sufficiently slowly that it seemed it might stop, and as it did so, delight surged through her.
It was Sidney.
“Anastasia.”
He stepped out of the coach, a broad grin on his face. His green eyes were bright, burning with an emerald fire that made her heart race. His fine-chiseled face was pale but seemed lit from within. His dark hair was brushed neatly, and he wore black trousers and a dark blue jacket she did not think she had ever seen him wear before. His shirt collar was high, as was the fashion, tied with a simple but tasteful cravat.
“Sidney!”
She felt a grin lift her lips in the corners as he walked over.
“My lady.” He bowed low and took her hand, pressing it to his lips. Her heart soared and she giggled, unashamed of the girlish joy that glowed like warm candle light in her veins.
“Sidney,” she said, grinning. “We did say we would not be so formal.”
“Yes. But you are, now, my lady. And I want to say it often, for I will never tire of it.”
Anastasia beamed. “And may I say also that you are my gentleman?” Her cheeks were burning with heat, and she looked away, amazed at her own audacity.
He grinned. His eyes were bright with warmth and joy.
“Most assuredly, you may. You may call me your gentleman as often as you wish. I am glad to hear that too.”
Anastasia giggled.
“Shall we walk this way?” Sidney asked, gesturing to a leafy avenue. Anastasia nodded.
“I think that way would be delightful. But then, so would the other, or any other, in your company.” She smiled, her soul soaring with delight. Walking with him, speaking thus to him—it was bliss, something that she would, indeed, never tire of.
He laughed. It was a lovely sound. Warm, rich, and gentle. His eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled. She glowed,seeing it and hearing his rich chuckle.
“I agree.”
They walked down the path together.
