Page 65 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
Her heart gave a little stutter. Hopefully he’d not seen her in the garden. “Oh?”
“I realized that we’ve never really gotten to know each other.”
“I do wish you’d asked me for a dance.”
“My size makes me somewhat clumsy in that regard.”
“I suspect you’re a bit hard on yourself, but in either case, I think we could have managed.”
He blinked several times. “You’re kind to say so.”
“You say that as though you’re surprised I’m kind.”
He touched his teacup, released it. “I’d heard you were ...” He cleared his throat.
“A termagant?”
Giving a little nod, he furrowed his brow, wrinkled his nose. “Difficult.”
“And yet you’ve come to call.”
“My father recently passed.”
What had that to do with anything? “Yes, I heard. I should have offered my condolences when I greeted you.”
“No need for that. He was up in years; had a good life. But I must see to my duties now. I’m in want of a wife, and so I thought to call on you.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
“I’m a bit older, and so I don’t have a lot of patience for the silliness of young girls.”
This reasoning was one that she hadn’t encountered before. While it was refreshing, she also found it a bit insulting. “So my age appeals to you?”
“You don’t giggle.”
“Not as a rule, no, although I have been known on occasion to laugh.”
“Not loudly, I hope.”
“Depends, I suppose.” She thought she heard the door knocker. She’d welcome Lord Sheridan at this moment.
She glanced over as Dixon walked in, holding a silver salver. He extended it toward her. Lifting the card, she read it and tried to tamp down her joy. “Please show in the Duke of Ashebury.”
Minerva didn’t miss the speculative look in her mother’s eyes as she lifted her head from her work nor the disappointment in Burleigh’s. Everyone rose as Ashebury strode in. He headed straight for her mother, took her hand, and kissed the back of it.
“Madam, how wonderful you look.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. It’s a pleasure to have you visit.”
“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.” Turning, he zeroed his gaze in on Minerva, completely ignoring Burleigh, as he crossed over. She halfway hoped he’d brazenly take her hand as well, but he merely tipped his head to the side. “Miss Dodger.”
“Your Grace.”
He shifted his gaze slightly. “Burleigh.”
“Ashebury.”
“Hope I’m not interrupting.”
